| Draft Day Has Arrived Authored by Howard Mass - June 28, 2006 - 5:55 pm
The NBA Draft is less than a few hours away and the phone bills are running up at Two Magic Place. As everyone already knows, The Orlando Magic are working on making a trade up from #11 to the #4-#8 range.
The Magic are in love with Washington guard Brandon Roy and Duke forward Shelden Williams. However, landing either of these players will not be possible unless the Magic make a trade up. Despite countless rumors, it does not seem like a trade is in the works at the moment.
This means the Magic could very well be stuck to whoever falls to #11.
Some possibilities and the options include Arkansas swingman Ronnie Brewer, Memphis guard Rodney Carney and Duke sharpshooter J.J. Redick.
Reports are now stating the Magic are cooling on Brewer. That is understandable if Deshawn Stevenson is indeed returning as this team needs at least one shooter from the shooting guard position to spread the floor for Dwight Howard and Darko Milicic.
However, while I believe there is an outside shot for a big, the only bigman the Magic won't let get past them is Duke Forward/center Shelden Williams.
This will be a crazy draft though and there is a chance a player like Villanova guard Randy Foye or Connecticut forward Rudy Gay could drop.
The Magic are really keeping things tight right now as I have been given a ton of different stories it seems from sources and nothing concreate other than the stuff we have already heard.. So, instead of trying to put all of the thoughts together, I'm going with what I think will happen.
Here is my mock draft of the top-11 picks.
1) Toronto- Andrea Bargnani
2) Chicago- Tyrus Thomas
3) Charlotte- Adam Morrison
4) Portland- LaMarcus Aldridge
5) Atlanta- Shelden Williams
6) Minnesota- Randy Foye
7) Boston- Brandon Roy
8) Houston- Rudy Gay
9) Golden State- Ronnie Brewer
10) Seattle- Cedric Simmons
11) Orlando- J.J. Redick/Rodney Carney
Analysis: I really think it is a toss-up between J.J. Redick and Rodney Carney. I think general manager Otis Smith will go with Redick here because the Magic have been in love with him this past year. Redick would give this team an outside shooter to spread the floor and despite concerns about him, he could florish with a team like the Magic with Dwight Howard and Darko Milicic backing him up on defense and the double teams those two could eventually draw.
Carney might be the overall better player but questions about his desire make him a less safer pick even though I think he will be a nice player and one I would not mind at all seeing on this team.
Despite the injuries, I just feel the Magic know what they are getting in Redick and why I feel they will pick him.
Of course, the Magic did surprise us last year with Fran Vazquez and they could go big again this year with N.C. State forward Cedric Henderson, Connecticut center Hilton Armstrong or Bradley center Patrick O'Bryant.
Do not rule out a trade here either or the possibility of Ronnie Brewer being picked here if he falls.
In the 2nd round look for the Magic to select a bigman and a european player they can park overseas for a couple of seasons with their two picks #41 and #44. Assistant general manager Dave Twardik has been overseas scouting all year so it is safe to assume the later.
After the Orlando Magic make their pick, I will live on RealGM Radio to give my analysis on the pick. Be sure to tune in throughout tonight's Draft.
Until then, let's not worry about our mock drafts and enjoy the Magic's last time in the lottery for hopefully a long time to come.
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