NBA Draft Rumors: Orlando Magic after Dario Saric?

The Orlando Magic hold a lot of the cards in the 2014 NBA Draft.

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The Magic have two first round picks, the fourth-overall and 12th-overall selections. With the foot injury to former Kansas Jayhawks’ center Joel Embiid likely keeping him out of the top three, the fourth-pick is extremely intriguing. If Australian point guard Dante Exum is there, he figures to be the guy, but it doesn’t look like he’ll be around. The Magic obviously need a point guard, but whether they take one at four or opt for a big man and take one at 12 is the question.

Jabari Davis of Basketball Insiders was asked the same question.

"That’s a really good one. While Vonleh/Payton are very intriguing, I think I’d have to go with Exum/Smart (depending upon which they liked better) and Saric if he’s still available. Not only did Kyle O’Quinn show significant improvement over the last two months of the season, so I think they’re square on young bigs as long as there are no complications with Vucevic and the Achilles. A starting backcourt of Oladipo and either Exum or Smart could be “nasty” if given a couple years to develop. In fact, a core group of Oladipo, Vucevic, Exum/Smart, Saric (versatile, 6’10 scorer) Harris, Harkless could be something special in just a couple years."

Saric measured in at 6’10 and 223 lbs. with a wignspan of 6’10 at the 2012 Hoops Summit. Last season, he averaged 16.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 49.7% from the field, 34.5% from beyond the arc and 68.1% from the free throw line. He is ranked by Jonathan Givony of Draft Express as eighth-best prospect in the draft.

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