By Dan Savage
June 19, 2015
ORLANDO – With less than a week to the NBA Draft, anticipation is building for franchises that are looking to take the next step in their development.
While Magic General Manager Rob Hennigan will once again hold his draft cards close to his vest, one thing is clear, the Magic are in prime position to add another key piece to their roster puzzle.
Despite the secrecy and disinformation that make this part of the process appear more like an exercise in espionage than a talent evaluation, basketball analysts throughout the nation are still doing their best to sift through fabrications and falsehoods to take their best crack at crafting the most accurate mock draft possible.
So, which prize prospect will soon call Orlando home? Let’s look at some of the predictions from the top mock drafts around the web:
CBSSports.com: Kristaps Porzingis
He would be a perfect fit as a rim protector next to Nikola Vucevic and a floor spacer with Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton in the background. Read More
DraftExpress.com: Willie Cauley-Stein
Cauley-Stein is the most versatile defender in this draft class, and should have no problem playing alongside the likes of Nikola Vucevic, Channing Frye and Tobias Harris, giving new head coach Scott Skiles plenty of lineup flexibility. Read More
ESPN.com: Mario Hezonja
The team badly needs shooting and Hezonja's ability to shoot from 3-point range, combined with his athleticism and aggressiveness on the scoring end, will be a perfect addition to the defensive-minded Magic. Read More
FOXSports.com: Justise Winslow
He can get to the rim and shoot the three, but his best attribute might be his defensive versatility. Orlando could go about a half-dozen different ways here. Read More
Hoopshype.com: Kristaps Porzingis
Many scouts in Europe see "Zinger" as a no-brainer Top 5 pick. He has a diverse skill set and great length. Would bring a much-needed shooter to a lineup of defensive-minded players. Read More
NBA.com: Justise Winslow
Winslow is a highlight-reel athlete who had big moments in the tournament after an inconsistent regular season. He can be a good shooter and a very good defender, all with a very high ceiling. Read More
Sheridanhoops.com: Kristaps Porzingis
Porzingis will have some GMs salivating at the thought of a seven-footer who can have the offense run through him in the mid-range, post area or step out and knock it down from beyond the arc. Read More
SI.com: Justise Winslow
Drafting Winslow creates a logjam at the wing, but the rebuilding Magic can’t afford to let top talent get past them. Read More
BasketballInsiders.com: Kristaps Porzingis
I am sending Porzingis to the Orlando Magic at number five mainly because I think his skills would fit nicely between Nikola Vucevic, Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton. Read More