Who do you want us to take at #1?

[yoyojw17]

I have Chet as the clear No.1 but i like Jabari too. Paolo would be a nightmare for me

I just think Chet not only got the higher upside, but also a easier path to become a top impact player than the other 2. Because he got all the skills & BBIQ necessary already. He just needs to stay healthy & add some pounds. Jabari just lacks skills that are super hard to learn at this age (dribbling/driving & passing). Paolo's combination of lack of length & instincts are super hard to overcome too to be at least not a negative defender + his offense lacks alot too, despite his skills. 3P shot / is he explosive enough to get by a NBA defender? / offensive efficiency.

Chet needs to add mass, the one thing every player in the leaque does over time. The others need to learn or refine skills. Thats much harder to do.

With you on this. He has everything you want in the position....and more. The only thing he's missing is the body. Might be tough to do... but... he's got the work ethic to do it... and the already has the mentality to put it to great use once he's acquired it.

Don't get me wrong too.... i do drool over Jabari's shooting and perimeter defense... and paolo's ability to get a bucket.... but Chet is all of those combined into one... just at varying degrees. But the foundation exists across the board. Mix that in with the JSuggs story/relationship and Orlando will be back on the map from a media standpoint.

[swarlesbarkley]

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I could see Paolo having some killer workouts causing him to end up #1.

I love Paolo's playmaking ability at his size. Great handles + great vision. He'll have to prove in his workouts that he's got the motor for an NBA season because that was lacking in the NCAA.

I'm not sure why he's being slept on as the #1 pick - hard to not like a 6'10" playmaker who can create and score at every level. Surround him with shooters and defenders and we could mimic the Mavericks.

[IllMagic04]

Id take Banchero personally. He's the worst fit of our current roster but I just think he has the highest chance to be a star. 6'10 can handle the ball, good court vision, can finish through contact and can create his own shot. I also love the way he punishes mis matches. When he got smaller guys on him he was relentless with getting in the paint. The defense is a concern but I think its a bit overblown. I saw flashes but the issue is I think his problem is more defensive awareness then it is effort. So it can be coached but I think its gonna take a a couple years. The 3 ball isn't great but he sure shot the 3 with confidence in some big moments. I bet he gets that 3 ball to around 34 - 35%. With all the other stuff he has potential to do thats a star

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[basketballRob]

Almost all of Durant's points come from jump shots now and Jabari has an identical shooting form. I disagree that Jabari can't create, he creates jump shots.

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[KillMonger]

Id take Banchero personally. He's the worst fit of our current roster but I just think he has the highest chance to be a star. 6'10 can handle the ball, good court vision, can finish through contact and can create his own shot. I also love the way he punishes mis matches. When he got smaller guys on him he was relentless with getting in the paint. The defense is a concern but I think its a bit overblown. I saw flashes but the issue is I think his problem is more defensive awareness then it is effort. So it can be coached but I think its gonna take a a couple years. The 3 ball isn't great but he sure shot the 3 with confidence in some big moments. I bet he gets that 3 ball to around 34 - 35%. With all the other stuff he has potential to do thats a star

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he presents a potential nightmare matchup scenario....you can use him in so many ways if coach is smart enough....high post...low post....pick and roll as the roll man or the ball handler....pick and pop.....DHO....he has so much utility...the only weakness is the defense but imo i'm not worried about defense....defense isn't our problem, we need someone who can be a star...someone who can get a bucket...if thats the criteria then i believe paolo is the guy....

[Horcy]

Man....the thing that I don't get is...when was the last time that this organisation had a chance to have a player like Jabari Smith?
A gifted scorer, with star potential who will probably start every single game here.
I like Chet, but come on...we've been gambling on these guys with long wingspans and physical concerns the last years.
Probably Chet is different but do you really want to go through all that again?
I don't. Just pick the best player.
End of story.

[Magicalltheway]

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I could see Paolo having some killer workouts causing him to end up #1.

I love Paolo's playmaking ability at his size. Great handles + great vision. He'll have to prove in his workouts that he's got the motor for an NBA season because that was lacking in the NCAA.

I'm not sure why he's being slept on as the #1 pick - hard to not like a 6'10" playmaker who can create and score at every level. Surround him with shooters and defenders and we could mimic the Mavericks.

i too believe PB is the best prospect for us. his versatility is by far superior to the other top candidates. id love a trade down to get him and a second first round pick. To me Chet would be an absolute failure. we'll see.

[VFX]

Yea sure, i doubt he will ever weigh 240+ but he can add functional strength. Garnett was super skinny til his late 20's and was strong & never missed a game. On defense he got toughness, timing & length to overcome alot & on offense he got awesome touch to finish, even when he got bumped. We have WCJ to defend the heavyweights.

Give me an example of a 7 footer with his frame that is dominating todays league. Kevin Garnett had shoulders. You can fit two Holmgren frames inside 1 Giannis frame.

Kristaps Porzingis is the only player with his profile I can think of off the top of my head. People had the same concerns with him and he’s now broken.

Like i wrote before. I see nor Porzingis at all. Porz was stiff even before the injuries & is freaking 7-3/4. For me every player over 7'0 is a walking injury waiting to happen.
Again functional strength is not mass. You can look skinny & still be strong. Thats what he needs to add. He obviously gonna add some weight too like everyone. Sure he still gonna look skinny.

The problem again is. Your concerns i can understand fully but there is no sure thing this draft. No Cade No 3 level scoring playmaker. No big elite 2way scoring wing.

I can ask the same question.
Which player who cant dribble or pass is dominating the NBA?
Which player with Banchero's play style & body/athletic tools is?
Which Guard with questionable handling, shooting & passing like Ivey is?

I know we will never come together in this case, but you are one of my favorite posters & i absolutely respect your opinion on this. One of my first thoughts opening realgm today was ''Matic gonna hate this''

Haha. You weren’t wrong.

Yeah, to be completely honest with you I absolutely hate this draft. It would be only fitting for Orlando to earn the #1 pick in a draft with no clear cut allstar wing with 3 bigs all being hyped to no end. I’m not sold on anyone whatsoever and I feel like I’m abandoning my principles by even promoting Jabari as a #1 pick.

They all project as second or third options on legitimate championship teams in my opinion. They are all perfect for underachieving teams that can pass them off as #1 options for lack thereof. I’d love to be wrong but I don’t think I am.

Maybe I’m completely off on Chet and he’s truly a unicorn that manages to stay healthy and defies odds by being the next great #1 pick Center you build around. Maybe we will revisit this forum and laugh at my bias. As of now I find it all highly unlikely.

[bon]

Congrats on winning the lottery Magic. Please don’t mess this up and just take Chet #1. The worst thing a rebuilding team can do is worry about fit at this stage. Chet is the most skilled player in the draft and will eventually get stronger with an NBA training regimen.

[Chuck Everett]

I don't believe Chet would have had the year Jabari did in the SEC personally. If it were me, I would take Jabari, but Hammond tends to love extreme length, so he may take Chet.

[yoyojw17]

Give me an example of a 7 footer with his frame that is dominating todays league. Kevin Garnett had shoulders. You can fit two Holmgren frames inside 1 Giannis frame.

Kristaps Porzingis is the only player with his profile I can think of off the top of my head. People had the same concerns with him and he’s now broken.

Like i wrote before. I see nor Porzingis at all. Porz was stiff even before the injuries & is freaking 7-3/4. For me every player over 7'0 is a walking injury waiting to happen.
Again functional strength is not mass. You can look skinny & still be strong. Thats what he needs to add. He obviously gonna add some weight too like everyone. Sure he still gonna look skinny.

The problem again is. Your concerns i can understand fully but there is no sure thing this draft. No Cade No 3 level scoring playmaker. No big elite 2way scoring wing.

I can ask the same question.
Which player who cant dribble or pass is dominating the NBA?
Which player with Banchero's play style & body/athletic tools is?
Which Guard with questionable handling, shooting & passing like Ivey is?

I know we will never come together in this case, but you are one of my favorite posters & i absolutely respect your opinion on this. One of my first thoughts opening realgm today was ''Matic gonna hate this''

Haha. You weren’t wrong.

Yeah, to be completely honest with you I absolutely hate this draft. It would be only fitting for Orlando to earn the #1 pick in a draft with no clear cut allstar wing with 3 bigs all being hyped to no end. I’m not sold on anyone whatsoever and I feel like I’m abandoning my principles by even promoting Jabari as a #1 pick.

They all project as second or third options on legitimate championship teams in my opinion. They are all perfect for underachieving teams that can pass them off as #1 options for lack thereof. I’d love to be wrong but I don’t think I am.

Maybe I’m completely off on Chet and he’s truly a unicorn that manages to stay healthy and defies odds by being the next great #1 pick Center you build around. Maybe we will revisit this forum and laugh at my bias. As of now I find it all highly unlikely.

Great talent is there in this draft. but yeah... would have been great if there was star 2-way player at the top of this draft. but THANKFULLY.... the magic also have a lot of cap room and flexibility to bring in players that they truly believe in.... or better yet... someone grows into that position. lol... wishful thinking.

Fultz
Franz
Isaac
Chet/Jabari/Banchero
WCJ

should see the court at least one time. lol

[MagicTownBaller]

My only problem with Jabari is his lack of ability to create his own shot. Haven't we dealt with that enough over the years? I love Jabari and this he might be an all star caliber player, but he will not be a superstar.

I've been watching highlights and scouting reports all morning and I'm leaning towards Chet or trading down for Paolo now. Paolo reminds me so much of Siakam mixed with Julius Randle. His ability to create his own shot down low is amazing.

Chet looks like a winning player, not a superstar. He will be good, just not sure how good. He gives me Mehmet Okur vibes. I don't like his defense AT ALL. I think he only got blocks cause he's the tallest out there because the man can't jump.

[basketballRob]

Jabari is one year younger than Chet.

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[Nyce_1]

1. Jabari is the best fit. Can't rely on JI's availability and health, so Jabari steps right into the starting PF slot. He's the ultimate 3&D option for us, and would feed off of our guards & Franz. One can question if it's wise to spend the #1 pick on a role player. If you've seen enough to comfortably build around Markelle/Franz/Wendell, Jabari makes perfect sense. Kelle/Suggs (*if shooting is improved)/Franz/Jabari/WCj....that is a perfect balance of everything; such a well-rounded lineup. 

2. I love everything about Chet except his body. I worry about it. However, if the medicals check out and the FO greenlight's his selection, I'd be happy. Elite IQ, shot-blocking, shooter, awareness, and a straight hooper. He's also a super great fit. I've seen it said a few times the last couple weeks, but this past season with WCj/Bamba starting together was a trial run for how we'd potentially look with 2 bigs and Chet replacing Bamba. The feel for the game, defense, and shooting from a Franz/WCj/Chet front line can be something super special. 

3. Shaedon Sharpe....man, I'd still consider this kid. In a league where guards/wings rule, he can be the one to elevate our potential future. I trust the FO and Matt Lloyd strongly consider him and would be just as happy as the other 2 options, if he's our pick.

We're in a good position and looking forward to draft season over the next 5 weeks. 

[BlueBalls]

Jabari.

Then Banchero, followed by Ivey.

Not a Chet Holmgren fan.

[thelead]

I don't believe Chet would have had the year Jabari did in the SEC personally. If it were me, I would take Jabari, but Hammond tends to love extreme length, so he may take Chet.

I'm not gonna lie. The whole playing in the SEC vs WCC is huge to me... I do like Chet but I elevate what Jabari did because he did it as the #1 guy on a good SEC team... all while being a whole year younger.

[swarlesbarkley]

My only problem with Jabari is his lack of ability to create his own shot. Haven't we dealt with that enough over the years? I love Jabari and this he might be an all star caliber player, but he will not be a superstar.

I've been watching highlights and scouting reports all morning and I'm leaning towards Chet or trading down for Paolo now. Paolo reminds me so much of Siakam mixed with Julius Randle. His ability to create his own shot down low is amazing.

Chet looks like a winning player, not a superstar. He will be good, just not sure how good. He gives me Mehmet Okur vibes. I don't like his defense AT ALL. I think he only got blocks cause he's the tallest out there because the man can't jump.

I listened to a podcast where someone pointed out that Jabari never needed to create his own shot in college because at 6'10" with a smooth jumpshot, he could always generate a "good" look.

Not sure how much I buy that - but hopefully his workouts show creating and playmaking ability. If the scouting team thinks he can develop on those areas - then he's got a chance to be a superstar. He doesn't have to be a Luka-level playmaker but maybe he can become a Kawhi-level playmaker.

Agree on Paolo. I almost always default to wanting the best playmaker in the draft. Paolo appears to be that and he's also 6'10" and can score at all 3 levels. Have to think he'd de-bulk a bit in the NBA to get some of his pre-college speed back.

[Knightro]

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Sharpe is very likely going to be listed at 6'4" in the NBA if they continue with barefoot measurements.

[thelead]

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Sharpe is very likely going to be listed at 6'4" in the NBA if they continue with barefoot measurements.

Those measurements are going to hurt him. It's not 'undersized' but it also doesn't build him up as a guy that can get his shot up whenever if his skills aren't elite. He's Jalen Green's height without the same type of speed... Interesting.

[basketballRob]

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Sharpe is very likely going to be listed at 6'4" in the NBA if they continue with barefoot measurements.

They stopped barefoot measurements before last season.

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