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

The NBA offseason has begun in earnest.

Sunday’s deal sending Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards to the Phoenix Suns for a fairly meager return — Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, a couple of second-round picks and a few pick swaps — officially opened the floodgates and began to set the market for the rest of the offseason.

The Wizards surely are not done as they signaled a fuller rebuild — Kristaps Porzingis can opt-in to the final year of his deal or hit free agency and if the Wizards put a deal together, they could convince him to do that and move him.

Other teams that are thinking of rebuilding or retooling could also put big-name players on the market — the league is holding its breath for the Portland Trail Blazers to make a decision on Damian Lillard and the New Orleans Pelicans also seem ripe to trade one of their stars for a hope at a brighter future.

The Orlando Magic are also very much in the running to make some big moves. With tons of cap space, two Lottery picks and plenty of young prospects seemingly on the cusp of competing for something real, the Magic could be as big or as small players at the Draft as they want to be.

The Orlando Magic are among the teams with big decisions and questions to answer ahead of this draft. We focus on that as we go through the mock draft one final time.

There is always the option to hold onto their two picks and just take two young players, there are the options to trade around, there is the option to trade up. There is a lot the Magic can do. And they have, predictably, been quiet when it comes to what they will do and who they will try to target.

It could be a night for big moves that sets up the Magic’s hopeful future playoff run. Or it could be a night simply to add to the roster and let everything grow naturally. All indications are that it will be the latter, but the former will have to happen at some point.

That may not be Thursday. Then again it might be.

The draft brings up questions. That is what it does. It forces teams to assess the areas it feels it needs to improve at and forces teams to really assess their roster. They have to do a self-scout as Jeff Weltman put it in his availability Monday.

What questions will this draft answer?

As we go through the mock draft this one final time, we will keep all these questions in mind and look at what the Magic may end up doing.

Orlando Magic Daily 2023 NBA Mock Draft 3.0

The top of the draft

Question: How fast can the Spurs make this pick?

Do I even need to take the time to explain this pick anymore? I do not have any fancy videos to show you how incredible Victor Wembanyama’s potential and talent is. The only new thing I have to share is that he has let slip publicly that he expects to be a San Antonio Spur.

I have no clue if that is disqualifying with how secretive the Spurs tend to operate. I do not think that would change things either. Wembanyama is really good.

So no more wasting words on it.

Question: How close do the Hornets believe they are to competing?

There are several big decision points in this draft. The first one will come with the Charlotte Hornets who still seem to be trying to decide what to do with this pick. Both Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller are expected to head to Charlotte for a final workout with outgoing governor Michael Jordan in attendance.

No pressure.

This pick is the ultimate question of whether the Hornets believe they are really close to competing and just need a healthy LaMelo Ball or if they still feel like they need to add more talent.

At this stage of the draft and considering the Hornets’ struggles to even be competitive in the Play-In Tournament the last two times they made it, they probably should lean toward adding more talent in the end.

That answer is clearly Henderson. He is a dynamic attacker and scorer. And while his shooting fit next to Ball should be a question, it is not something they cannot overcome or develop past.

However, it appears the Hornets are going in the other direction and going with the better fit in Miller.

Question: What are the Blazers doing with Damian Lillard?

The NBA Draft this year really starts with the second and third picks with two franchises in the Charlotte Hornets and Portland Trail Blazers who are still trying to figure out who they are franchises.

With the Washington Wizards having traded Bradley Beal, everyone’s focus and attention is squarely on the Portland Trail Blazers and Damian Lillard. It is still not at all clear what they will do. But it seems the team is closer than it has ever been.

So what does that mean for this pick? Could it mean a restart with a Scoot Henderson, Brandon Miller, Amen Thompson or Cam Whitmore? Which player is the one the Blazers would want to rebuild around most — I would rank them: Henderson, Thompson, Miller, Whitmore?

Or. . . if the plan is to keep Lillard, is this the pick they trade to get that secondary star they feel they need to remain competitive?

There are no easy answers. For this mock draft, I want to assume everyone keeps their pick. I think Brandon Miller helps the Blazers as constructed the most. He is a floor spacer and could be a solid defender. He does not need the ball to be successful and that should fit in best with Portland.

But with him potentially off the board, they have to stick with talent and hope that trading Anfernee Simons could put them in a position to add veteran talent to improve the team. Or perhaps use Henderson as a major trade chip to get that veteran.

Orlando Magic Daily 2023 NBA Mock Draft 3.0

Reach Opportunities

Question: How do the Rockets complete the picture?

The Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets started their rebuilds at virtually the same time. It is hard not to make some comparison between the two teams. And it is hard not to notice how much further along the Magic seem to be than the Rockets.

Houston has had its share of high picks. Jalen Green with the second pick in 2021 and Jabari Smith Jr., the guy the Magic were supposed to pick first, in 2022. Yet, it feels like they are a bit of a mess. They have moved on from their coach in Stephen Silas and gotten the more experienced Ime Udoka in.

Will that save a roster that has at times felt mismatched?

That is why adding a player like Amen Thompson feels like the right move. It would give the Rockets a player who can play the more traditional playmaker role even at his 6-foot-7 size. And that could help make everyone else fit into their correct places.

Granted, the Rockets’ problems are really on defense rather than offense.

Thompson is a player who makes a lot of sense and could even be a player the Magic are considering trading up for — there have been at least some rumors to that effect. He checks a lot of boxes as a bigger playmaker. The Magic love that kind of versatility.

Question: How do the Pistons complete their picture?

Similar to the Houston Rockets, it sure feels like the Detroit Pistons have fallen behind their rebuilding peers. An injury to Cade Cunningham that caused him to miss virtually the entire season cost the Pistons any chance to make progress even if it gave them a good look at Jaden Ivey.

So what direction do the Pistons need to go to complete this picture? What do they need to boost their team?

That is sort of hard to say. They could go for a defensive wing in Ausar Thompson. Or they could aim for the offensive wing that could receive the passes from their playmakers in Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey and spread the floor in Cam Whitmore. Or they could add yet another big and draft connector Jarace Walker.

I had the Pistons going with Whitmore at this spot. But the latest scuttlebutt are that his workouts have not gone well.

So the Pistons should do the other option and shore up their defense and get a cutter for their two guards to play off of. Ausar Thompson is still the more talented player and someone who could grow especially in this sort of environment.

Orlando Magic Daily 2023 NBA Mock Draft 3.0

The Orlando Magic’s Pick

Question: Do the Magic take one more bite at the apple or focus on fit?

The Orlando Magic are in a new phase of their rebuild.

Even the notoriously tight-lipped Jeff Weltman seemed to suggest as much in talking about how his team is preparing for the draft. Yes, nobody is skipping steps and everyone is looking at this draft as an opportunity to add to a growing core.

At the same time, this core is different.

The Magic seem to have a lot of things figured out. Or at least a lot of things they want to continue to explore. The team seems determined to let their team grow organically — Weltman said as much publicly.

So how should the Magic approach these picks? Should they take one last big swing with one player and go safer with the other? Should they look for players who can find playing time immediately and contribute to the team and their playoff hopes even if they pass on players with more upside?

The answer, like with all things, is it depends. As Weltman is quick to point out, it is still about the person and player the team picks. The Magic are versatile enough that they should be able to find the place for talent to fit in.

At No. 6, Orlando should have its pick of one of Ausar Thompson, Cam Whitmore, Jarace Walker, Taylor Hendricks or Anthony Black.

None of those players are a perfect fit for the Magic. Yet going off the board with someone outside of this list could invite ridicule or questions about whether the team maximized this opportunity (trust me).

Among that group, I think Ausar Thompson offers the most potential for growth. But if he is off the board, then things could get very tricky for the Magic.

Perhaps Whitmore is that home run swing for the Magic. He is a potentially strong scorer and spot-up shooter. But I just do not feel like he fits either the Magic’s physical profile for what they look for or even the skill profile — his assist rate is embarassingly low for someone who was the lead scorer on a team, even when accounting for his wrist injury.

Among the group available here, I think the Magic take the bite on Anthony Black. While their point guard situation is fairly set, it is also kind of up in the air. And perhaps Black gives them some versatility to explore other areas in free agency.

His poor shooting is certainly a concern, but he can defend at a high level and has a really good in-between game (51.3 percent on 2-pointers, although 70.5 percent from the line and 30.1 percent from deep).

There is no perfect fit. That needs to be re-emphasized.

But the Magic could really go in a number of different directions. Hendricks is the cleanest fit for this roster as a solid backup forward to give the team needed depth and a clearer understanding of his role.

The Magic should view this sixth pick at least as a chance to add something substantial to the team. This could well be their last chance to draft this high for some time.

Then again, this could also be an opportunity to take someone they are comfortable with or use the pick to trade down a few picks, grab a veteran and still get a quality player from this draft.

Orlando Magic Daily 2023 NBA Mock Draft 3.0

The Other Options

Question: Is depth all the Indiana Pacers need?

The Indiana Pacers are a team that is on a similar timeline as the Orlando Magic. They are knocking on the door of the playoffs with a group of mostly homegrown players with a solid coach who gets everyone pulling in the right direction.

If not for Tyrese Haliburton’s injury, the Pacers might have made the playoffs. So this is a team that needs to shore up their depth as much as anything else.

So the question for the Pacers is about how to build the right amount of depth and build the group they have. So which need and which depth does the team fill here?

They certainly could use some frontcourt depth and Jarace Walker fits in. Walker makes everything easier for those around him. And with Myles Turner’s ability to work from the perimeter, that should ease the transition for Jarace Walker and give them some solid interior defense to work with their wings.

The important thing for the Pacers is they have options.

Question: Where are the Wizards restarting?

The Washington Wizards have made the early headlines in this offseason in trading Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns. They got Chris Paul in the deal, but it feels fairly certain he will not suit up for them. Then came news that Kyle Kuzma will opt out of his contract. And Kristaps Porzingis may also be on his way out via trade instead of opting into his year.

The Wizards seem set for a complete rebuild. So where does the team restart?

Looking at the options, Washington certainly should hope that all the latest mock drafts that have Cam Whitmore falling to the back end of the top 10 are true. There are not a lot of players who conventionally look like centerpiece figures.

Whitmore does though. He is athletic, strong and big and he can get into the lane while still hitting from the outside. If there is a player with star upside remaining, it is Whitmore. And that is at least a place to start for this new era in Wizards basketball.

Look for the eighth pick and Washington to be a target for trades throughout the draft as the team decides which direction it will go.

Orlando Magic Daily 2023 NBA Mock Draft 3.0

Prelude to a Pick

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.

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?

Orlando Magic Daily 2023 NBA Mock Draft 3.0

The No. 11 Pick

Question: Which skill matters most for the Magic?

If the Orlando Magic are preparing to take their big swing with the No. 6 pick, what is the safe option? What is the need the Magic most needs to fill?

They could go in a number of different directions — and sure, they could take a big swing in Bilal Coulibaly or Dariq Whitehead still. They could get the backup center in Dereck Lively at this spot.

But the lesson from last year still rings true to me. Everyone pegged the Magic for taking Jabari Smith because of the star he could grow into. Clearly, the Magic decided to take Paolo Banchero and the star that he already was.

The draft process has a way of letting everyone complicate the questions more than they should. The simplest answer is usually the correct one.

The Magic need shooting. Take the best shooter. It probably should not be any more complicated than that.

Gradey Dick is widely considered the best shooter in this draft. The Magic should not overcomplicate their first pick and ensure they get a player who can be a shooting specialist.

I think reducing Dick to just a shooter though is a bit unfair to him. He is a smart player who can move into open space and hit and make the right decisions of when to fire and when to keep the ball moving.

His defense reminds me a lot of J.J. Redick with the Stan Van Gundy-era Magic. Dick may not be able to stop offensive players one on one, but he will be in the right spots in a help scheme more often than not.

On top of that, he is listed at 6-foot-8. So he has the size to absorb some contact and get his shot off.

Dick might be a specialist as a shooter. But the Magic need that. Especially now with Gary Trent Jr. off the free agent market, the Magic might be more urgent to fill this shooting need.

It will be hard for the Magic not to feel successful if they come away with Dick at this pick.

Orlando Magic Daily 2023 NBA Mock Draft 3.0

The Rest of the Lottery

Question: Are the Thunder betting on potential still?

The Oklahoma City Thunder are perceived as a team still deep into the talent collection phase. With all the draft picks coming their way, they are going to have to be taking some swings for talent.

But this Oklahoma City Thunder team is ahead of the Orlando Magic in their rebuild progression. They were nearly a postseason team last year even with all the youth on their roster and Chet Holmgren sitting out with the broken foot — remember him?

So the Thunder are sitting in the same spot as the Magic. Do they take another swing or look for a player who fits the overall vision and fit of the team? Are they all in on the playoffs this year?

The Thunder like the Magic seem like a patient bunch. So I suspect they will think about the best player on the board and look for a way to fit a new young player into their roster.

Bilal Coulibaly is a player that fits both Jeff Weltman’s and Sam Presti’s eye. He is a raw athlete but his skill set came on quickly to help Mets 92 advance to the French league finals. He can defend at a good level already and should be an interesting prospect to see develop and grow.

Question: Are the Raptors restarting or reloading?

The questions about the Toronto Raptors run the gamut.

They fired Nick Nurse and are involved in renewed rumors over OG Anunoby. Even Pascal Siakam has been dragged into rumors for big trades around the league. And Fred VanVleet seems likely to leave in free agency.

Then again, they got a bit of a lifeline with Gary Trent Jr. opting into the final year of his deal. They still have Siakam and Anunoby on the roster. And Scottie Barnes is still pretty good, despite a relatively down sophomore year.

So what do the Raptors want to do?

They have been good at retooling and developing players. And hiring a development coach in Darko Rajokovic suggests they believe they can retool fairly quickly.

For that reason, I like them going for the straight replacement and taking Cason Wallace.

Wallace has a good first step and gets by his man into the paint. Give him NBA spacing and his assist numbers should jump. Plus Kentucky guards always seem to hit — just go through the list from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to Devin Booker to Jamal Murray to Tyrese Maxey.

The Raptors are usually good for a shrewd draft pick. And Wallace would fit in seamlessly to help this team move forward.

Question: Are the Pelicans done with Zion Williamson?

I wish I could focus on the draft pick because the New Orleans Pelicans could get a really important player in this draft for a young roster that is really close to breaking through.

But all anyone can talk about is whatever Zion Williamson is doing off the court and then wondering whether the Pelicans will stomach another season waiting for him to be healthy and dealing with all of what is going on with him off the court.

The Pelicans are not a ta point where they should have to make this decision. They have hung around the playoff picture without Williamson. And when Williamson plays, the Pelicans are one of the best teams in the Western Conference.

Anyway, I would take Dereck Lively here. His rim protection potential and size would be a big boost to the Pelicans behind Jonas Valanciunas. Especially if that jump shot is coming around.

Orlando Magic Daily 2023 NBA Mock Draft 3.0

The Rest of the Mock

Question: Are the Hawks still all-in with this group?

The Atlanta Hawks had a season of discontent as they struggled to put all the pieces together with Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. They were on the border of the playoff picture, sneaking in as the 7-seed with a Play-In Tournament win in Miami. They need players who can solidify this group and a connector like Leonard Miller who can grow into something much more would be a solid find.

Question: How much can the Jazz bolster their backcourt?

With our first pick for the Utah Jazz, we had them focus on their backcourt in taking Kobe Bufkin. They certainly could look elsewhere. But with the potential of losing Jordan Clarkson in free agency, they should look to boost their outside shooting. Jordan Hawkins is a stellar shooter and someone who could become a bit more. Everyone needs shooting.

Question: How do the Lakers build back to a title team?

The Los Angeles Lakers are still a title-contending team. They remade the roster midseason and LeBron James and Anthony Davis carried them to the Western Conference Finals. So a big question for the Lakers is looking for players who can contribute to a title team. I like Jalen Hood-Schofino here then. He is just solid in all areas without being spectacular in any. He should fill a role and give the Lakers some important guard depth.

Question: What lessons did the Heat learn from their Finals run?

The Miami Heat reached the NBA Finals and then got systematically exposed by the Denver Nuggets’ size on the interior. Looking for workhorses who can guard multiple positions and give the team some positional length and size should be critical. Noah Clowney was the one who did all the dirty work for Alabama this year and I think he is very much a #HEATCulture player.

Question: How do the Warriors add depth?

The Golden State Warriors were a masterful team inside the walls of the Chase Center, but a complete disaster on the road. They need to add some depth and experience to try to get back to the top of the NBA mountain. Brandin Podziemski transferred to Santa Clara and lit the area on fire averaging 19.9 points per game on 43.8 percent shooting from deep (77.1 percent from the foul line). This is a guy the Warriors could easily slot in to their scheme.

Question: How much playmaking should the Rockets invest in?

The Houston Rockets have a lot of interesting offensive pieces. But the whole puzzle has not come together. And part of that is because they had to shoehorn Kevin Porter Jr. into the point guard spot. Adding scoring guards who can playmake is a key need for a team like Houston. But they are also in a good spot to take a bit of a risk. Nick Smith Jr. struggled with injuries last year, but he was one of the top prospects entering the season. That talent is still there and worth a swing.

Question: How quickly are the Nets ready to build?

The Brooklyn Nets have been a team that have a lot of people circling them thinking Mikal Bridges could be available. He should not be. So the question is how fast do the Nets want to build this thing? How quickly are they aiming to be back in the playoffs?

The Nets have these back to back picks and should be looking to add dynamic scorers in hopes one can really hit. Keyonte George is a great shooter with decisionmaking questions as an on-ball attacker. Brice Sensabaugh is a bigger shooter who has an allergy to defense. There is something to work with there.

Question: What area do the Blazers bolster?

The Portland Trail Blazers are in a precarious spot with their first pick. But here they should be looking to add depth at 23. They seem likely to lose Drew Eubanks as their backup center. So investing in a raw but interesting center in Barcelona’s James Nnaji feels like a good investment regardless of what they do with Damian Lillard.

Question: How do the Kings build on their breakout season?

The Sacramento Kings now have the most difficult task in the NBA: They have to do it again. They certainly love their offensive flourishes. But they faltered some agains tthe Golden State Warriors. Getting a new shooter and Keegan Murray’s brother is not bad. Kris Murray is not the movement shooter his twin brother is, but Kris Murray can certainly put the ball in the basket plenty.

Question: What will bind the Grizzlies together?

The answer for every question in the NBA today is probably shooting. This pick is not going to solve the bigger issues on this roster. But adding a great shooter like Jett Howard would be a big boost to a team that wants to be a title contender.

Question: What helps the Pacers get over the top?

The Indiana Pacers have a pretty solid starting lineup. And they should add another piece with their first pick. The next step is depth. And this will be a spot to add depth. Maxwell Lewis has flown under the radar but is someone who can impress after averaging 17.1 points per game in a starring role at Pepperdine last year.

Question: Do the Hornets view themselves as contenders?

That was the question we asked way back at Pick No. 2. And the latest reporting suggests the Hornets are trying to add players who can fit with their current roster and help them return to the postseason that they sat in the previous two seasons. Jones averaged 15.0 points per game and shot 37.8 percent from deep in his junior year at Xavier. He very much should be ready to play quickly.

Question: Who is ready to take the risk on Whitehead?

The Utah Jazz are a team that is still on a long-term rebuild plan. And that is the kind of team that will take the chance on Duke guard Dariq Whitehead. He was one of the top high school prospects but dealt with a foot injury throughout his rookie year. He missed the whole pre-draft process recovering from a foot injury. But he is very talented and there needs to be a team with the patience to let him recover for this to work.

Question: Can the Nuggets replace Bruce Brown here?

With Bruce Brown opting out of his contract, the Denver Nuggets seem to recognize they will not be able to retain him in trading future picks for two shots at the apple from the Indiana Pacers at 29 and 32.

I have them going for Marquette forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper, who got a late invite to the Draft’s green room which might suggest he will go higher. Prosper averaged 12.4 points per game while shooting 62.5 percent on 2-pointers last season.

Question: What will get the Clippers over the top?

The questions for the LA Clippers are not going to get answered in the Draft. That much is certain. Adn they could be hunting for bigger fish or to do something bigger to get them to title contention. Really they need health. The Clippers though have always been good at adding depth. Ben Sheppard from Belmont averaged 18.8 points per game and shot 41.5 percent from deep as a senior.

That is our final mock draft before the NBA Draft on Thursday! We will have some more goodies including our second-round prospects to watch and more before the draft tomorrow.