2023 Orlando Magic Draft Day Thread (#6, #11): THE DAY IS HERE!

[SOUL]

As always, draft day is very active on these boards. Enjoy it! We probably have no idea what's in store (besides us trading the 36th pick, as a tradition), otherwise we're in for a crazy day.

Some quick mod things:

1. Be respectful. Emotions usually run higher on these days despite these being 19-20 year old kids that we have no idea about the future of. If you don't like a pick, that's completely fine, but starting a campaign against them and being completely negative gets tired quickly. It can toe the line between being critical and trolling, so just keep that in mind. I don't enjoy handing out warnings, so don't give the mods any reasons to.
2. I will also probably be consolidating some threads because you guys love to post similar threads with different wordings so hopefully discussion will be more streamlined over the next few days.

[Cammo101]

My current, but not yet final mock draft:

https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/draft/draft_simulator/view/1002198/

[fendilim]

I can see us going for Lively.

Jokic and Embiid last season re-lived the importance of a big, imo.

Lively isnt the same caliber as them, but see why the Celtics wanted KP bad.

[thelead]

Smart getting traded for KP is unexpected

[pepe1991]

And Marcus Smart decay from "DPOY, starting PG " to nobody starts just about now.

[Bensational]

Having Smart feels like a bit of a message to Ja - we’ve got a starting caliber PG to replace you with.

I mean, if they put Ja on the market they could get a nice piece to play alongside JJJr, Bane and Smart.

Wizards only got Tyus Jones. I’d have expected the Wizards to have been pick hungry with these trades.

[Cammo101]

Having Smart feels like a bit of a message to Ja - we’ve got a starting caliber PG to replace you with.

I mean, if they put Ja on the market they could get a nice piece to play alongside JJJr, Bane and Smart.

Wizards only got Tyus Jones. I’d have expected the Wizards to have been pick hungry with these trades.

Great deal for Memphis at first glance. Washington appears willing to bottom out here and rebuild the long way.

[RookieStar]

So.... when can i expect some slander when we make our pick? I would like to keep receipts lol

[Def Swami]

I still can't believe the Anthony Black quote to Yahoo. While it might be true, it was incredibly dumb to verbalize it to the media like that. Sets yourself and the team that might draft you up for failure and strife.

To be fair, I've always believed Anthony was likely to be dealt given he is extension eligible soon. If the Magic do draft Black, I wonder if the Magic intend to package Anthony or Suggs and the #11 to add some depth elsewhere.

Also, the amount of Black traction that came out today was a little odd. I wouldn't be surprised if it was all smoke like last year and Jabari Smith.

[thelead]

I know we’re likely drafting cash considerations in the second round but I would love for us to draft Dariq Whitehead if he falls a bit

[Bensational]

I still can't believe the Anthony Black quote to Yahoo. While it might be true, it was incredibly dumb to verbalize it to the media like that. Sets yourself and the team that might draft you up for failure and strife.

To be fair, I've always believed Anthony was likely to be dealt given he is extension eligible soon. If the Magic do draft Black, I wonder if the Magic intend to package Anthony or Suggs and the #11 to add some depth elsewhere.

Also, the amount of Black traction that came out today was a little odd. I wouldn't be surprised if it was all smoke like last year and Jabari Smith.

Yeah early on I picked Black because he fits what our team looks for and there wasn’t any talk of us having interest. Now that there’s talk it makes him feel less likely.

Let’s say they take Black and look to package 11 + Harris + Cole for another player - who? A starting SG to start ahead of Suggs? For that salary and value you’d almost expect it. Health security for C and backup PF?

[eyriq]

Happy draft day!!!

[Message Boar]

I'm ready! Okay, I might need a nap in the afternoon if I'm gonna stay up all night and watch the full draft, which I kind of want to do, but I'm ready!

[Ducklett]

Lots of rumors flying that Spurs want 11 for future picks. They have a ton of them. Which picks would you think would be fair if that trade rumor were to come to pass?

Has to start with unprotected ATL '25, right?

[Bensational]

Draft Day is my adult Christmas Day. It’s the equivalent of getting presents and watching friends and family get presents (and swap presents). You don’t know what you’re gonna get - will it be diamonds or coal?

I feel like we need to create a traditional ‘draft day meal’ to go with it. What’s the thanksgiving Turkey/Christmas Ham equivalent for the NBA draft?

[eyriq]

Draft Day is my adult Christmas Day. It’s the equivalent of getting presents and watching friends and family get presents (and swap presents). You don’t know what you’re gonna get - will it be diamonds or coal?

I feel like we need to create a traditional ‘draft day meal’ to go with it. What’s the thanksgiving Turkey/Christmas Ham equivalent for the NBA draft?

Haha that's an awesome idea! It is a wonderful day.

I feel like this will be a huge tell about the direction WeHam wants to go with this team.

[Message Boar]

Draft Day is my adult Christmas Day. It’s the equivalent of getting presents and watching friends and family get presents (and swap presents). You don’t know what you’re gonna get - will it be diamonds or coal?

I feel like we need to create a traditional ‘draft day meal’ to go with it. What’s the thanksgiving Turkey/Christmas Ham equivalent for the NBA draft?

What's a really long food, spaghetti?

[dsg2021]

Ben Sheppard would be the most surprise #11 pick. Fastest shuttle sprint in the combine. Opened eyes in the last combine scrimmage. David Steele podcasted the idea of a 2/3 with some 1 ability, here he is. His consensus went from a prospect in the 30's or even 40's of the second round and now into the first round after the combine. Now there are even rumored looks at him as low as the mid teens.

Sheppard is a 6'6 SG who previously played PG. 47 FG%. 41 3P% on 6 attempts. 70 FT% on 4 attempts. 3 APG. 5 RPG. He wasn't a sexy pick because he played 4 years in College instead of 1 or 2, and will be turning 22 not too long after the draft. I literally see that as a strength instead.

[eyriq]

Conclusion: we draft one backcourt player, trade one backcourt player, and trade one lottery pick.

Reason:

1. Two lottery picks with good chances to draft players good enough to be top 5 in MPG at some point in their rookie contracts.
2. Backcourt is currently one of the worst in the NBA.

Current top 5

Backcourt
#5 Cole
#3 Fultz

Front court
#2 Franz
#1 Paolo
#4 WCJ

Internal contenders
Suggs
Harris

[axl_c_cool]

I still can't believe the Anthony Black quote to Yahoo. While it might be true, it was incredibly dumb to verbalize it to the media like that. Sets yourself and the team that might draft you up for failure and strife.

To be fair, I've always believed Anthony was likely to be dealt given he is extension eligible soon. If the Magic do draft Black, I wonder if the Magic intend to package Anthony or Suggs and the #11 to add some depth elsewhere.

Also, the amount of Black traction that came out today was a little odd. I wouldn't be surprised if it was all smoke like last year and Jabari Smith.

What was the Anthony Black quote please, can't find it anywhere?

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