NBA Mock Draft: Magic Take Pair of Top 10 Picks, Emoni Bates
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ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic is expected to be one of the big winners in this year's NBA Draft.
With their pick projected in the top 5, the Chicago Bulls' pick acquired in the Nikola Vucevic deal re-routed to Orlando projected in the top 10 and an early second-round selection, the Magic have all the tools to hit a home run.
In Bleacher Report's latest two-round mock draft, the Magic is projected to take Villanova small forward Cam Whitmore at No. 5 and Baylor shooting guard Keyonte George at No. 9. However, the biggest name in the draft haul may come at pick No. 35, where the Magic takes Eastern Michigan forward Emoni Bates.
Bates was ranked No. 3 in ESPN's ranking of Class of 2021 prospects out of high school, one spot ahead of last year's No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero.
Bates has had an unorthodox road to the NBA, going to Memphis and transferring to Eastern Michigan, and his stock has dropped to the point where he's a projected second-round pick.
However, there's still a lot to like about Bates' game, and taking a flier on him in the second round is worth the Magic's investment.
Having two picks in the top 10 is also something to get excited about, and Whitmore and George provide two promising paths towards improving the team.
Whitmore is averaging 12.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game this season at Villanova.
Although he is an inconsistent shooter, Whitmore's athleticism makes him one of the most exciting prospects in this year's draft class.
"His shooting and production may be streaky the rest of the way, but for a 6'7", 232-pound explosive leaper, teams will find the flashes of driving, step-backs and threes worth betting on," Bleacher Report writes.
George only makes 37.9 percent of his shots, but he's a high-volume scorer averaging 17.2 points per game.
"Despite George's streakiness, teams are still picturing a microwave NBA scorer based on his convincing rhythm into self-creation and shot-making, plus his obvious confidence and range," Bleacher Report writes. "He'll have to clean up some of his decision-making as a finisher, but teams will put more stock into his effectiveness generating those paint-scoring opportunities."
The 2023 NBA Draft will take place on June 22.
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