![]() ![]() "I just see myself defending, affecting winning and just doing whatever a team needs me to do," Smith said. He also averaged 1.0 blocks and 1.1 steals with the versatility to chase multiple positions, making him ESPN's No 2 overall prospect. He also made 79.9 per cent of his free throws to convert when drawing fouls. He averaged 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists with ability to play in the post or step outside, where he shot 42 per cent from 3-point range with a quality jumper. Strengths: The 19-year-old Smith is a rangy forward with potential to impact both ends of the floor. The 6'10", 220-lb freshman was a second-team All-American who helped the Auburn Tigers claim their first-ever No 1 ranking for the NCAA Tournament. Image: Former Auburn player Jabari Smith talks to the media following a pre-draft workout with the Orlando Magic at Amway Center He struggled at times with physical play and could use the added bulk for finishing through contact, too. And he has the ball-handling skills to take advantage – just look at his length-of-court, behind-the-back drive for a dunk against UCLA for proof – for unique shot-creating potential in such a long frame.Īt the other end, Holmgren proved an elite rim protector, ranking fourth in Division I with 3.7 blocks per game.Ĭoncerns: He needs to get stronger. ![]() He made 39 per cent of his 3-point tries and had 14 games with at least two made threes, showing the kind of consistency sure to pull less-mobile bigs from the basket. He averaged 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting 60.7 per cent alongside a returning AP All-American in Drew Timme. Strengths: The 7ft, 195-lb Holmgren has an unusual mix of fluid perimeter skills with a roughly 7'5" wingspan. ![]() The nation's No 1 recruit lived up to expectations for the Gonzaga Bulldogs as a second-team All-American. Image: Gonzaga center Chet Holmgren shoots during practice Here's a look at the draft's top players: Chet Holmgren (PF) ![]() So those are conversations that we're having, which players do that for us." You can't just stay at the basement level, you know, interminably. But you have to elevate the standard to do that. "And we do want to have something sustainable. "We do want to get better but not at the expense of rushing back to mediocrity," Weltman said. This is all part of the challenge for the Magic – who also have the No 32 and No 35 picks this year – going into Thursday: Finding more youth that fits with the current core, finding ways to be better next season and sustainably better for years to come. It's possible that when next season starts Orlando could have as many as six lottery picks, nine top-16 selections and 12 first-rounders on its roster. Orlando also has the No 6 picks from the 20 draft, Jonathan Isaac and Mo Bamba. The No 1 pick on Thursday will join a young core in Orlando that already includes 2017 top pick Markelle Fultz, a pair of top-eight picks from the 2021 draft in Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs, and Cole Anthony – the flamboyant No 15 pick in the 2020 draft. And in 2004, the Magic selected Dwight Howard with the first pick. Chris Webber was the No 1 pick by Orlando in 1993, and he got traded that same night for Penny Hardaway and a package of future picks that were eventually turned into Vince Carter and, later, Miller. The Magic took Shaquille O'Neal with the top selection in 1992. This is the fourth time that Orlando will be making the first pick. That's the real benefit of having the No 1 pick." "But, most importantly, we get to do what we want. "Dialogue is always ongoing," Weltman said. Other teams have called to gauge what the asking price would be if they want to trade for that selection, and the Magic have evaluated all the top candidates.īut Weltman sees no reason to decide anything before it's absolutely necessary, especially given the opportunity that Orlando has by holding this No 1 pick. They will have their pick of options, and that doesn't just mean the top three players. Ostensibly, that means the Magic probably haven't fully decided yet what they'll do on Thursday night. "I tell you, it's still early in the process," Weltman said on Monday. Seems like the process should be winding down. Analysis - The case for Jokic winning three-man MVP raceīJ on MJ: Jordan created a persona to become best version of himself ![]()
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