NBA Mock Draft: Magic Trades Up to No. 3?
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The NBA Draft doesn't truly get interesting until the Charlotte Hornets name is called at No. 2.
Depending on who they select between Alabama wing Brandon Miller and G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson, Charlotte could cause a ripple effect among other organizations.
And the Orlando Magic could be among those waiting on their decision.
Currently sitting as the only team with two lottery picks (No. 6 and No. 11), Orlando could package these for a better return.
In Bleacher Report's recent mock draft, it predicted Orlando to send both selections along with center Wendell Carter Jr. and guard Gary Harris to the Portland Trail Blazers for the No. 3 pick and Anfernee Simons.
"Orlando, meanwhile, might be incentivized to pounce if Henderson slips this far," Bleacher Report writes. "The Magic have a few intriguing options at point guard (Markelle Fultz, Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony), but the hyper-explosive Henderson has a ceiling that sits several stories above the rest."
Henderson, a hyper-athletic 6-4 guard, opted to forego college to play for the Ignite, posting 16.5 points, 6.5 assists and 5.4 rebounds in his post-graduate year.
While Simons has proven his ability to be an elite scorer at just 23-years-old. In 62 games last season, the 2018 first-round pick averaged a career-high 21.1 points and 4.1 assists, while posting shooting splits of .447/.377/.894.
"Adding [Henderson] and Simons to a core that includes Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner might give Orlando one of the league's brightest long-term outlooks," Bleacher Report writes.
With Portland openly stating they are looking to trade the No. 3 pick, the Magic certainly has the pieces to structure a package.
The NBA Draft is held on Thursday, June 22 at 8 p.m. from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
You can follow Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard.
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