Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

2018 NBA Mock Draft first round plus OKC Thunder picks

By Tamberlyn Richardson

TOPSHOT - Real Madrid's Slovenian Luka Doncic (R) celebrates with team mate Real Madrid's French forward Fabien Causeur their team's 85-80 win in the Euroleague Final Four finals basketball match between Real Madrid and Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul at The Stark Arena in Belgrade on May 20, 2018. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP) (Photo credit should read ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - Real Madrid's Slovenian Luka Doncic (R) celebrates with team mate Real Madrid's French forward Fabien Causeur their team's 85-80 win in the Euroleague Final Four finals basketball match between Real Madrid and Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul at The Stark Arena in Belgrade on May 20, 2018. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP) (Photo credit should read ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/Getty Images) /
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NBA Draft Trae Young
CHICAGO, IL – MAY 15: NBA Draft Prospect, Trae Young poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Combine circuit on May 15, 2018 at the Intercontinental Hotel Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

PG. Oklahoma. Trae Young. 6. player. 38.

While I recognize Trae Young has experienced slippage of late this pick has always felt like where Young would fall. The Magic are a squad in desperate need of a point guard for one. Many pundits think Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could get the nod. The reason I don’t has nothing negative to do with SGA, he’s an impressive prospect with a huge upside.  It’s more to do with the history of the Magic and their current need.

This will be Jeff Weltman and John Hammond’s opportunity to make amends for past errors. Specifically, the Magic haven’t had a scoring point guard in such a long time. And, although Hammond has a penchant for long lanky players (see Giannis Antetokounmpo and Thon Maker) which would lean more to SGA this again feels like the right pick and fit.

The reason it appears to be a smart pick is the prospect of pairing Young with a core of Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac. Furthermore, the Magic had a driving somewhat defensive point guard in Elfrid Payton and they turfed him so I’m not convinced they’ll want to take a chance on history repeating.

For the full prospect preview: The enigma Trae Young – deciphering guard’s superstar potential

Team needs:

A few years ago teams were desperate to add starting point guards to their rosters. Flash forward to the present day and most teams have starting and backup point guard positions. taken care of. The one team who is desperate to fill this role is the Magic.

The other areas the Magic need to fill depending on what they elect to do with Speights, Hezonja and Nikola Vucevic are filling the power forward position. Similarly, what Orlando elects to do with Terrence Ross who returned from a serious knee injury (and Afflalo) will dictate if they need to add help at the shooting guard position.

Free Agents:

Picks in 2018 NBA Draft:

First Round: 6th

Second Round:35th

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