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The draft order is set and the NBA Combine is behind us, so it’s time for another mock draft! Favorable measurements and excellent scrimmage play boosted the stocks of guys I’ve mocked to go in the first round like Mark Williams, Christian Braun and Jalen Williams, and players likely to go in the second round or undrafted like Terquavion Smith, Kofi Cockburn and Andrew Nembhard.
This is my first mock, so there will obviously be movement between now and future mocks over the next month until the Draft on June 23. In these 30 picks, you’ll get a short player breakdown, team fit and fantasy outlook.
This is a top-heavy draft class with three players firmly above the rest, but there’s little doubt that the top pick will go to Jabari Smith or Chet Holmgren. Paolo Banchero is the clear No. 3, and then after that? Well, it gets a bit hazy. I’ll try to make sense of it all over the next 4,000 words. Let’s go!
1. Orlando Magic: Jabari Smith | Auburn | Forward | Freshman | 6’10, 220
At 6-10, 220, Smith is a long and athletic forward who has a pretty shot from beyond the arc and excels when he gets downhill with a head of steam, particularly rim running on a fast break. Smith is excellent in the paint and getting to the basket, using his length and athleticism to score, rebound and disrupt opponents on defense. The Magic have their pick of three players in their own tier, but I think the choice comes down to Smith or Chet Holmgren. Smith is the best pure shooter of the bunch with fewer question marks about size and durability, so I think he hears his name called first on draft night. There’s no question Smith will have a major role in the Magic’s rotation right away, and his efficient scoring ability should give him top-100 fantasy appeal.