Draft Exum at #2?

[breakchains]

Exum had a lot of Penny Hardaway in him and maybe even some Magic. #2 is going to be tough to pick out that star out of the 3 potential choices.

As a Magic fan, naturally that size and skill level reminds us of Hardaway (whom we love). I'm curious, is there no clear-cut selection for you at #2?

I know a few have mentioned Exum as a possibility because of potential, but is there no "sure-fire", "hit-and-win" choice now between Embiid/Parker/Wiggins?

Embiid is the no brainer #1 in this draft, no matter who picks, if his back checks out.

[Smooth_E]

We have been linked to Embiid. We have been linked to Wiggins. Now we have been linked to Parker and Exum being tops on our board. Impossible to tell at this point what is real and what is smokescreen.

I definitely understand that. Yeah, this time of the year along with free agency is when all the smoke-screen and "sources" come about. I hope you are able to draft the best player fit for your team.

[paulpressey25]

As a Magic fan, naturally that size and skill level reminds us of Hardaway (whom we love).

In my opinion you should get used to the fact the Magic are going to end up with Exum.

The top three teams will due their due diligence on Exum to "check the box" but at the end of the day I do not believe any team is going to pass on the top three for Exum.

Now could he end up the best player out of this draft? Certainly a possibility. But CLE, MKE and PHI aren't going to be the ones taking that chance.

[theFireBlanket]

As long as it isn't Wes and Marc stepping in and saying select X because his name is more popular I'll be happy with their selection. Take Parker, fine but only if he's your BPA. I trust Hammond and his scouts evaluation of these prospects. My personal pick is Exum.

[JustinCredible]

As a Magic fan, naturally that size and skill level reminds us of Hardaway (whom we love).

In my opinion you should get used to the fact the Magic are going to end up with Exum.

The top three teams will due their due diligence on Exum to "check the box" but at the end of the day I do not believe any team is going to pass on the top three for Exum.

Now could he end up the best player out of this draft? Certainly a possibility. But CLE, MKE and PHI aren't going to be the ones taking that chance.

I sure hope you're right PP.

[breakchains]

As a Magic fan, naturally that size and skill level reminds us of Hardaway (whom we love).

In my opinion you should get used to the fact the Magic are going to end up with Exum.

The top three teams will due their due diligence on Exum to "check the box" but at the end of the day I do not believe any team is going to pass on the top three for Exum.

Now could he end up the best player out of this draft? Certainly a possibility. But CLE, MKE and PHI aren't going to be the ones taking that chance.

Agreed. There may not be a surer bet at any position in the draft than Exum at 4. It is the place where the risk meets the reward, and a team who has been known to have interest in him owns the pick.

Doesn't mean it's guaranteed but if you had to put money down, you'd put it on Exum going 4 over any other pick. Until Embiid's back is cleared, at which point will make him the lock to go #1.

[Smooth_E]

As a Magic fan, naturally that size and skill level reminds us of Hardaway (whom we love).

In my opinion you should get used to the fact the Magic are going to end up with Exum.

The top three teams will due their due diligence on Exum to "check the box" but at the end of the day I do not believe any team is going to pass on the top three for Exum.

Now could he end up the best player out of this draft? Certainly a possibility. But CLE, MKE and PHI aren't going to be the ones taking that chance.

Ok, thank you. Yeah, I (somewhat) had a hard time believing that Exum could go that high, although I do see why someone would take a chance on him. I definitely think Wiggins goes no lower than #2 to you guys, and I don't see Parker slipping passed Philly at #3. Right now, it's all a matter of if Embiid's back checks out. I feel that we end up with either Embiid, Exum, or Smart (in case Embiid's back is bad, Exum does terribly in individual workouts).

Thank you all for your thoughts and insight, on behalf of the Orlando Magic boards, we appreciate it.
Good luck in drafting the best fitting player for your team!

[EastSideBucksFan]

I would not be upset with Exum at #2.

With lower picks it's easier take the riskier player.

But I don't know how he could pass on Wiggins/Parker for Exum.

I would give him major props. But even I'll admit it's risky.

[Badgerlander]

In that case, your GM and I (personally) share somewhat of the same values. I believe length and height is the one advantage you can never teach (obviously). I didn't realize that your players were so long (pause)until I read that line-up (minus Knight). I'm curious, why not Mayo? Is he your sixth-man?

Mayo missed a bunch of games with some sort of food poisoning or something and gained a lot of weight last year so they held him out to get back in playing shape and he never really did. Knight can guard quicker PGs next to Exum and play off the ball as a spot up shooter, but also has a good wingspan/standing reach and has the strength to defend bigger SGs as well.

Ok cool, thanks Doc, I appreciate the insight. So your team is definitely considering all 4 of the high-potential picks (Wiggins/Parker/Embiid/Exum). Any news about Embiid's medical records being shown or withheld from your management? I thought I read a rumor that his agent was using HIPAA as leverage to keep Embiid out of Milwaukee.

Embiid will work out for the Cavs first and if his back checks out and his agent gets a promise out of them the agent will shut him down. However, the Cavs are idiots and have already proven themselves dumb enough to reach on Thompson because he was a good locker room guy and could talk themselves into believing the Wiggins+Bennett duo could be all that or that Wiggins will be the next LeBron etc. Plus the Cavs will be fielding trade offers so Embiid probably works out for us and if he's healthy and the Cavs pass on him we take him. If the Cavs or someone else take Embiid #1 I'd guess that Wiggins would be at the top of our board unless he completely bombs and Exum or Parker blows us away in private workouts, etc.

[Badgerlander]

Good luck in drafting the best fitting player for your team!

Rather have the best player available period, "fit" has nothing to do with it.

[theFireBlanket]

I would not be upset with Exum at #2.

With lower picks it's easier take the riskier player.

But I don't know how he could pass on Wiggins/Parker for Exum.

I would give him major props. But even I'll admit it's risky.

Hammond.

*He's going to take the player he likes best, that's the way he rolls. My projection is Embiid, Exum, Wiggins, Parker in that order for his board.

[Smooth_E]

Good luck in drafting the best fitting player for your team!

Rather have the best player available period, "fit" has nothing to do with it.

That's true. I probably should have said the best player available. I also believe in drafting best available as opposed to highest need.

My bad.

[bizarro]

I would not be upset with Exum at #2.

With lower picks it's easier take the riskier player.

But I don't know how he could pass on Wiggins/Parker for Exum.

I would give him major props. But even I'll admit it's risky.

How are Wiggins and Parker less risky than a 6'6" lighting quick PG with a great pedigree and a commitment to the game? I think the obvious and only downside to Exum is our lack of exposure to his game.

[LUKE23]

He reminds me of Penny, who in his prime when healthy was a 20-4-7-2 at high efficiency with really good defense guy. If that's what we end up with at #2, I wouldn't complain.

Exum-Wolters-Smith
Knight-Bogdanovic-Mayo
Giannis-Middleton-Delfino
Ilyasova-Stokes-Pachulia
Sanders-Henson-Raduljica

Or something similar-I could handle watching that team next year.

[AussieBuck]

He's only 1.5 inches off Tyler Zeller's standing reach. my favourite way of making someone seem longer

[humanrefutation]

Drafting Exum would be a ballsy move, and I'd love it for that reason. I've only seen some highlight packages here and there on him, and he looks like someone who could be a great PG in this league for a long time. He reminds me a bit of a combination between Rose and pre-injury Livingston. He very easily could turn out to be the best player in this draft.

But I highly doubt we'll make that move.

[TroyD92]

I'd take Exum over Parker if we slide to 3, but I would be shocked if we didn't pick whoever was left from Embiid/Wiggins.

[LUKE23]

I'd take Exum over Parker as well. Exum is #3 on my board.

For me, Embiid and Wiggins will remain top 2. If Embiid either doesn't give us medical info, or his medical info comes up with red flags, my top 2 moves to Wiggins/Exum.

[EastSideBucksFan]

How are Wiggins and Parker less risky than a 6'6" lighting quick PG with a great pedigree and a commitment to the game? I think the obvious and only downside to Exum is our lack of exposure to his game.

Preaching to the choir here bizarro. I had Exum as #2 my board before anyone else on here.

If Hammond drafts Parker at #2 and he busts, nobody blames Hammond, they blame Parker.

If Hammond drafts Exum at #2 and Jabari is ROY & All Star in 3 years while Exum is just Ricky Rubio, then Hammond gets all the blame because Exum was more of an unknown.

[ReasonablySober]

Exum to me has a higher floor than Parker and Wiggins. I see good vision, the ability to take anyone off the dribble, elite size for his position. He's got no positional concerns on either side of the floor. His skills translate to the NBA. For that reason I'd be fine with him at #2, moreso if Embiid goes #1.

It's only because of Wiggins' otherworldly athleticism that he's slightly higher on my board. I'd feel a little nervous taking Wiggins over Exum, given what I think I know about what Exum can provide and the skills Wiggins still needs to develop, but it's a risk I'm probably taking.

These are my tiers:

1 - Embiid


2 - Wiggins
3 - Exum


4 - Vonleh
5 - Parker