NBA Draft Rumors: Magic, Bulls and Celtics eyeing Shabazz Napier
By Josh Hill
The NBA Draft is a time when the players we watched in college blossom into the professional stars of tomorrow and it’s a time when we see names we familiarized ourselves with in March Madness realize their dreams. One such player who helped his cause immensely in the tournament was Shabazz Napier from UConn, and he’s starting to get lottery attention in some circles.
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According to Chad Ford from ESPN.com, the Bulls, Magic and Celtics are all teams with eyes on Napier as the draft approaches.
"Napier is getting looks as high as Orlando at 12. Bulls and Celtics are also in the mix for him. So that’s not a reach. Hairston is getting looks from Minnesota at 13 on … so he’s not a reach either. LaVine is great if you are swinging for the fences. He has more upside than either Napier or Hairston. But he’s risky too."
Orlando taking Napier seems like a stretch, as they would have to have taken Noah Vonleh or another forward with their first pick and then deem Exum better than Tyler Ennis or any other guard that may be available at No. 12 overall.
As for the Bulls and Celtics, it’s hard to see Napier making it past either of them — the Bulls twice — without being taken. Both teams need depth at point guard and Napier seems to be one of the best wild card options in the draft this year.