NBA Draft Rumors: Orlando Magic want to pair Noah Vonleh with Nikola Vučević
The Orlando Magic may have to alter their draft plans after former Kansas Jayhawks’ center Joel Embiid’s injury because he may fall causing the Magic to miss out on a prospect they really covet.
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According to Ken Berger of CBS Sports, the Magic may take Exum at four, but desperately want a big to pair with center Nikola Vučević, which could lead to them selecting Vonleh.
"The biggest beneficiary of Embiid’s injury could be Australian shooting guard Dante Exum. Word among executives is that Orlando likes Exum at No. 4, but with Embiid dropping — how far, nobody knows for sure — Exum might not be gone by then. The Magic’s dilemma: They want a top frontcourt player to pair with Nikola Vucevic and may not be able to get one they’re comfortable with at No. 12. In that case, sources say they may opt for Indiana’s Noah Vonleh with the fourth pick."
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.
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.