NBA Draft Rumors 2014: Orlando Magic to select Noah Vonleh?

Mar 13, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Noah Vonleh (1) dunks against Illinois Fighting Illini forward Nnanna Egwu (32) in the first round of the Big Ten college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Since the Orlando Magic in found out that’d be selecting fourth in next month’s NBA Draft (and probably even before that), they have been tied to Australian point guard Dante Exum.

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Lately, there has been a lot of chatter that the Magic could be after former Indiana Hoosiers’ big man Noah Vonleh.

However, Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders doesn’t believe Vonleh is the right pick.

"Orlando is going to look at everyone… but there are a couple of guys getting more hype than their body of work justifies — Vonleh is one, Zach LaVine is another and Elfrid Payton is the third. People talk about these guys like they are the next great NBA player, howvere their body of work does not back that up nearly as much as others in front of them.All three could be good players, but they are far from the stars they are being made out to be. Vonleh is interesting in Orlando, but I would argue they have that kind of player already and I am not sure his long term is any better than guys they have.There is something to be said about having third year guys — they are more physically developed. Understand the league and the system and they are likely breaking through barriers. Grabbing a rookie sets you back. You do that if you feel the ceiling is higher. Not sold the ceiling is higher for Vonleh than Mo Harkless, Nic Vucevic or Tobias Harris."

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.

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