Minnesota Timberwolves: Mock Lottery Draft 1.0
PG. North Carolina St.. Dennis Smith Jr.. 7. player. 38.
The slide continues as the Orlando Magic are awarded the seventh overall selection despite their 8.8 percent chance at the first overall pick.
Dennis Smith is the shortest of the top point guards in this year’s draft but that doesn’t make him any less special.
At 6-foot-2, Smith is an elite athlete who can play with anyone. He is great with the ball in his hand and excels in the pick and roll.
He averaged 18.1 points, 6.2 assists, and 4.6 rebounds during his only year at North Carolina State. Smith also shot a respectable 35.9 percent from the 3-point line.
He might not have very much competition in Orlando.
Elfrid Payton has been somewhat of a disappointment and is set to be a restricted free agent next summer.
That will give the Magic another season to evaluate where Payton is at, while also letting Smith get a year of seasoning under his belt.
The Magic also have D.J. Augustin on their roster, which may create a bit of a logjam at the position.
Any combination of the trio would probably not be able to play together at the same time due to their lack of size and/or shooting ability to keep defenses honest.
Either way, the Magic will figure out a way to make it work.