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Orlando Magic Daily 2023 NBA Mock Draft 3.0: The Questions the draft poses

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 8, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Villanova Wildcats forward Cam Whitmore (22) controls the ball against Georgetown Hoyas guard Jay Heath (5) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Villanova Wildcats forward Cam Whitmore (22) controls the ball against Georgetown Hoyas guard Jay Heath (5) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Taylor Hendricks, UCF Knights
Jan 25, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights forward Taylor Hendricks (25) looks to pass during the second half against the Houston Cougars at Addition Financial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports /

Orlando Magic Daily 2023 NBA Mock Draft 3.0

Prelude to a Pick

118. . PG. Utah Jazz. Kobe Bufkin. 9. player

Question: How do the Jazz manage all of their picks?

The Utah Jazz are awash in draft picks after their trades last year involving Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell. They have three first-round picks this year and already seem eager to try to move up from their back-end picks.

So how do they use all these picks? What do they do with this first pick?

They too could go in a number of different directions. The Jazz were surprisingly good last year thanks to the emergence of Lauri Markkanen and rookie Walker Kessler.

The Jazz could really use some guard help. They could look at Cason Wallace or Kobe Bufkin here. Or could just get the shooting they need in Gradey Dick at this point.

I have them going with Bufkin, who has risen pretty quickly up draft boards. He averaged 14.0 points per game and shot 35.5 percent from deep. It seems like he has plenty of room to grow too. And the Jazz need some guard help to add to those big men they are building around.

The Jazz were a surprise last year, but they are far from complete with their rebuild.

. PF. Dallas Mavericks. Taylor Hendricks. 10. player. 79

Question: What is the most win-now move for the Mavericks?

The Dallas Mavericks are in win-now mode. They are expected to re-sign Kyrie Irving after trading a lot to get him last year. Luka Doncic’s countdown clock is officially on after the team missed the playoffs entirely after the 2022 Western Conference Finals trip.

The Mavericks are another of those teams poised and probably a bit desperate to do something big this offseason. They need players who can make an immediate impact and a player who will fit what they are building to get them back in the postseason picture.

The way this mock draft worked out could not have been more perfect though. Taylor Hendricks is exactly the kind of player this Mavericks team needs. Hendricks is a big who can play above the rim, set screens and rim run but also is not going to clog the lane. His ability to step to the outside is a big plus for a Mavericks team that needs to spread the floor.

Hendricks should be able to help out a team like the Mavericks.

Is that enough though for Dallas? Or is this another space where the league could see a trade occur?