NBA Mock Draft: Magic 'Swinging On Upside' with No. 6 Pick?
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If the Orlando Magic keep both of its first-round selections in the NBA Draft, it would be the second time the team has drafted twice in the lottery over a three year span.
In 2021, Orlando drafted Gonzaga product Jalen Suggs No. 5 overall followed by Michigan forward Franz Wagner at No. 8.
While injuries have limited Suggs to 101 career games over the past two years, Wagner's emergence has cemented himself as a young star in the league.
Now entering the 2023 NBA Draft, the Magic has the opportunity to select two more building blocks to its already promising core.
In ESPN's latest mock draft, it has Orlando selecting one of the most intriguing prospects this year in Overtime Elite combo guard Ausar Thompson.
"The Magic are building around two focal offensive players in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, creating a need for shooting elsewhere on the floor, something Thompson doesn't necessarily provide yet," ESPN writes. But because Orlando has two lottery picks, there's rationale to swing on upside at No. 6, then address that need more directly at No. 11."
Thompson, OTE's back-to-back Finals MVP with the City Reapers, stuffed the stat sheet this past season - averaging 16.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.1 blocks.
Despite shooting less than 30 percent from deep, the 20-year-old guard likely won't be tasked with creating much offense alongside playmakers such as Banchero, Wagner, Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony.
"Thompson's work ethic and improving jumper should give teams some optimism that he'll be able to iron out his weaknesses, and his ability to play off the ball might fit with the Magic," ESPN writes.
The NBA Draft is held on Thursday, June 22 at 8 p.m. from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
You can follow Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard.
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