Magic executives have made it clear they’ll do their homework on all their options for the No. 1 pick, even beyond Jabari Smith, Chet Holmgren, and Paolo Banchero, writes Jonathan Givony of ESPN (Insider link).
However, most NBA teams believe that process will be a formality and consider Smith to be the clear favorite to become the Magic’s pick, according to Givony. NBA executives also overwhelmingly view Holmgren as the probable No. 2 pick for the Thunder, Givony adds.
Givony and his fellow ESPN draft expert Mike Schmitz shared several more tidbits based on their conversations with talent evaluators at last week’s combine in Chicago. Let’s round up a few highlights…
- NBA teams were “buzzing” about Dyson Daniels‘ performance in Chicago at his Pro Day, comparing him to NBA players like Tyrese Haliburton and Khris Middleton, according to Givony, who has moved the G League Ignite wing up to No. 6 on ESPN’s big board.
- Andrew Nembhard‘s willingness to play through a minor quad injury and his strong performance in the second game of the combine scrimmages helped boost his stock. The Gonzaga guard “leapfrogged” a handful of players who sat out the scrimmages and has a legitimate shot to be drafted near the end of the first round, says Givony.
- Croatian big man Karlo Matkovic was one of the under-the-radar risers as a result of his combine showing. He’s considered far more likely to be drafted than he was a week ago, and his agency says he’s had more requests for private workouts than he has available dates, per Givony.
- Mark Williams‘ 9’9″ standing reach will make him the longest player in the NBA, according to Schmitz, who says the Duke center has a chance to be selected ahead of Jalen Duren in the lottery.
- Canadian prospect Leonard Miller looked a step slow during the combine scrimmages and now appears more likely to attend college at Arizona or join the G League Ignite rather than staying in the draft, writes Givony.
Holmgren likely #1 as ORL is still hoping on Isaac. Teams will will disjoint their offense and just get shot-blocked by backing down CH. Holmgren is not a gentle giant like the usual way-tall guy.
Duren went after him in the tournament but did not win in the end.
Wonder how much boost in the consensus that Daniels gets from the combine look. He does not seem like a Knicks pick. Teams will think SGA, Giddey, Haliburton. He likes spins & floaters per espn.
Agree on Holmgren, but, in any event, it will be either him or Smith. ORL will obviously not tip their hand.
FYI, the NBA site consensus mock that you were good enough to post yesterday was updated this morning, and both Sochan (11-Knicks) and Daniels (12-OKC) are still outside the top 10. I’m assuming this is about pick number, not fit or interest from the teams.
It’s Smith ….. can’t pass on his upside. New kind of PF lol.
Thunder take Holmgren. It’s best thing for Rockets. Banchero is a perfect complement to Green. I mean perfect.
If you can believe the hype about Daniels, if it’s true. Means he’s going top 10. These young players have plenty of upside. Getting better till 23-25 at least they should be right.
Only better for my Knicks . Means a player could drop a few. My top choice is Mathurin. He fits us well and is very talented. Think we will have to trade up for him. Also seen Furen moving up in most boards. Seems he might not be there at 11 either. I doubt very much Williams goes before Duren.
Been watching TyTy lately. I like him. He’s got a good handle. And is always in control. The kid can score and shoot. Believe he can be a good PG. He’s been more a scorer up to this point. But I like him. Would not be mad if we took him. This draft is looking for us. We got options. I feel good we will land a starter. Even a SG like Agbaji who I’m real high on. Feeling good about it…. Yeeeeesss
They’ll blow it. Whoever they take will bust. And Mathurin won’t be there, keep dreaming. I have them taking Duren and letting Mitch walk, then making a trade for a PG.
Don’t think Mathurin gets past Spurs at 9
In fact, he could go as high as 4.
I’ve got TyTy going to Washington,
fits nice next to Beal,
and runs the team, if Beal is gone.
Knicks sign Brunson
Draft Mark Williams, if he’s there.
Mark Williams is a defensive stalwort, a 7’0 center who can guard the perimeter, he swats shots in the post like Motumbo, moves his feet better than any center in the league, including Gobert. Get the ball to him in the post and it’s squashed. Im sure he’ll get a little stronger and put on a little size but as fleet as his feet are and as strong as he his at his current weight its a non issue, Hard to believe all the mock drafts have him falling out of the top five or six picks. He is top two in my opinion.
Hr’s really good. But top 2??
from what I see in his game he is a more athletic Rudy Gobert and Gobert is three time defensive player of the year. The stretch five is more of a challenge to game plan for offensively than it is defensively, to get a guy who lives in the post and has the athleticism to guard the perimeter like Williams can is a huge advantage.