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NBA Draft Rumors: Orlando Magic down to Dante Exum, Marcus Smart & Noah Vonleh

By Andrew Melnick

Jan 14, 2014; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Noah Vonleh (1) warms up before the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2014; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Noah Vonleh (1) warms up before the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Although they have been very secretive since Rob Hennigan took over as general manager two years ago, the Orlando Magic have reportedly had several draft picks in for workouts and have seemingly been tied to three prospects – Australian point guard Dante Exum, former Oklahoma State Cowboys’ point guard Marcus Smart and former Indiana Hoosiers’ big man Noah Vonleh.

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Chad Ford believes the Magic are down to Exum and Vonleh. However, Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated reports Smart is squarely in the mix and currently projects the Magic to select Smart.

"The Magic, according to a source, are considering three players here: Smart, Exum and Noah Vonleh. Orlando has worked out Smart twice and he has been impressive. The Magic need a point guard, and while Smart needs work on his perimeter game, he is more of a pure point guard than Exum, who several executives believe will eventually be a two-guard. Vonleh, a fast rising power forward, is a dark horse here."

Exum measured in at 6’6 and 196 lbs. with a wingspan of 6’9.5 at the NBA’s Scouting Combine. Exum is ranked by Jonathan Givony of Draft Express as the fifth-best prospect in the draft and is currently projected to be selected with the sixth-overall pick in the draft by the Boston Celtics.

Smart is ranked as the sixth-best prospect in the draft by Jonathan Givony of Draft Express. He averaged 18.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game last season and shot 42.2% from the field, 29.9% from beyond the arc and 72.8% from the charity stripe. Smart measured in at 6’3.25 and 227 lbs. with a wingspan of 6’9.25.

Vonleh, who measured in at 6’9.5 and 247 pounds with an impressive wingspan of 7’4.5, averaged 11.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 52.3% from the field, 48.5% from beyond the arc and 71.6% from the free throw line. Jonathan Givony of Draft Express ranks Vonleh as the seventh-best prospect in the draft.

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