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NBA Draft Rumors: If Nerlens Noel Slips, Orlando Magic Considering Picking Him

By Vytis Lasaitis

Feb 9, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Nerlens Noel (3) rebounds the ball against Auburn Tigers guard Josh Wallace (11) and center Asauhn Dixon-Tatum (0) in the second half of the game at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Auburn 72-62. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Nerlens Noel (3) rebounds the ball against Auburn Tigers guard Josh Wallace (11) and center Asauhn Dixon-Tatum (0) in the second half of the game at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Auburn 72-62. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 9, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Nerlens Noel (3) rebounds the ball against Auburn Tigers guard Josh Wallace (11) and center Asauhn Dixon-Tatum (0) in the second half of the game at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Auburn 72-62. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Nerlens Noel (3) rebounds the ball against Auburn Tigers guard Josh Wallace (11) and center Asauhn Dixon-Tatum (0) in the second half of the game at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Auburn 72-62. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

The Cleveland Cavaliers are still considering whether they will use the first overall pick to select Nerlens Noel. However, if the center out of Kentucky would slip down, the Orlando Magic would probably pick him, according to Chad Ford of ESPN:

"Sources close to the Orlando Magic told ESPN.com on Saturday that if the Cavs pass on Kentucky big man Nerlens Noel, the Magic are leaning strongly toward selecting him with the No. 2 pick in the draft.Sources cautioned that things could change in the next five days as the Magic continue to gather information. “If the draft was held today, Noel would be our first choice,” one source told ESPN.com."

While most draft pundits agree that Noel probably has most upside out of any player in this year’s draft, there is still some natural uncertainty regarding his knee, as he is still rehabbing from a torn ACL.

The Magic have a solid center in Nikola Vucevic, but the addition of Noel would add more frontcourt depth to the team, and he could very well develop into a great defensive center.

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