NBA Draft rumors: Orlando Magic trying to trade into top 5
The Orlando Magic own the No. 6 and No. 11 picks in the upcoming NBA Draft. With so much young talent on the roster, it would not be shocking for the front office to consolidate assets in favor of landing one great prospect instead of two good prospects.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Orlando is "open to moving the No. 6 and No. 11 picks if the Magic can move into the 3-5 range." While the value of such a deal ultimately depends on where in the 3-5 range the Magic can land (and, subsequently, who is available), such a maneuver would make logical sense.
The prospect who Orlando should have the most interest in is Scoot Henderson, who is expected to fall to Portland at No. 3. The Blazers have been heavily involved in trade rumors with Damian Lillard still looking to contend, but trading down for more draft picks might not interest them unless Orlando can sweeten the package with an impact player — maybe Wendell Carter Jr.
The Rockets at No. 4 and the Pistons at No. 5 would be wise to take Orlando's call. There's a lot of value in the mid-to-late lottery range. The Pistons especially need more depth and as many bites at the proverbial apple as possible.
As for Orlando, one has to imagine a trade up would be geared toward acquiring one of the Thompson twins or Villanova wing Cam Whitmore. Amen Thompson is the better overall prospect, but Asuar Thompson has more experience working off the ball and is considered a much better shooter. Whitmore would be well-suited to shooting and slashing off passes from Markelle Fultz, Paolo Banchero, and Franz Wagner.
NBA Draft rumors: Dereck Lively II's stock is rising
Duke's Dereck Lively II comes off the board to Utah at No. 16 in Scotto's mock draft: "Lively's draft stock is as high as it's been since the end of December." Lively struggled out of the gates at Duke but came on strong late in the season, showcasing his remarkable physical tools and advanced defensive instincts.
Lively has also been making waves on the workout trail, primarily with his 3-point shooting. There's a big difference between hitting corner 3s in an open gym and hitting corner 3s in live NBA games, but Lively expanding his game beyond the restricted area would significantly bolster his appeal.
The 7-foot-1 Lively entered the season at Duke as the top recruit in the nation. He was projected by many as a top-5 pick at one point. The NBA game has passed a lot of centers by, but Lively has the mobility to defend in space and the explosive size to effectively protect the rim. Outside of Victor Wembanyama, there aren't many true bigs and rim protectors on the board. If a lottery team prioritizes help in the middle, don't be surprised if Lively's name is called even earlier than No. 16.
The very obvious team to watch in that regard is the Dallas Mavericks at No. 10. The Mavs were completely incapable of stopping teams at the rim after the Kyrie Irving trade and one of their few playable centers, Christian Wood, is set to walk in free agency. Lively could legitimately end up right back where he started the season, in the top 10.
NBA Draft rumors: Pacers love Wake Forest sleeper Bobi Klintman
Per Scotto, the buzz coming out of the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago is that the Indiana Pacers are high on Wake Forest's Bobi Klintman. The 20-year-old played sparsely as a freshman with the Demon Deacons, averaging only 20.5 minutes per game, but his tools and theoretical upside have catapulted him into the first round mix.
Klintman checks a lot of boxes on paper. At 6-foot-10, he has tremendous positional size, a fluid 3-point stroke, and the ability to handle and create for others in spurts. NBA teams are constantly on the lookout for the next big, skilled wing who can affect the game in multiple areas. Klintman came along at just the right time.
The Pacers specifically need more size and versatility in the frontcourt. Klintman is probably a 4 defensively due to his limited lateral mobility. Klintman would be on the receiving end of passes from Tyrese Haliburton offensively while boosting Indiana's languid pace with his ability to grab and go off the rebound.
There are valid concerns about Klintman's ability to generate advantages and score consistently in the halfcourt, but tall wings who can shoot, pass, and defend generally have a path to success in the NBA. Klintman has the most to prove on the defensive end, but frankly, his small role at Wake Forest makes him something of an unknown. Teams love to project upside onto prospects with limited tape and eye-popping physical traits. And with three first-round picks (plus an early second-round pick), the Pacers can afford to make calculated gambles.
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