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2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 23: The NBA Playoffs are upon us

By Chris Stone

Feb 9, 2017; Boulder, CO, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) before the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Coors Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Boulder, CO, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) before the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Coors Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 4, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoot as North Carolina Tar Heels forward Isaiah Hicks (4) defends in the second half. The Tar Heels defeated the Blue Devils 90-83 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoot as North Carolina Tar Heels forward Isaiah Hicks (4) defends in the second half. The Tar Heels defeated the Blue Devils 90-83 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
Learn more about Jayson Tatum at The Step Back.

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Jayson Tatum

SF, Duke

Lottery odds: 8.8 percent

Draft status: In with an agent

The Orlando Magic were already engaged in a significant rebuilding project prior to firing their general manager on Thursday afternoon. The Magic’s roster likely lacks an All-Star level talent and certainly doesn’t seem to have a franchise-changing piece that could lead them to a title. Duke’s Jayson Tatum may not be that piece either, but his ceiling outcome as a primary wing creator and scorer could be.

As a freshman with the Blue Devils, Tatum averaged 20.2 points and 8.8 rebounds per game on a 56.6 true shooting percentage. He led the team with a 26.2 percent usage rate, largely spending most of his offensive possessions operating in isolation or out of the mid-post against larger power forwards. The 19-year old can take most defenders to the basket with a quick first step and uses his strength to finish around the rim despite not having elite level vertical explosion. In order to reach his ceiling, though, he’ll need to become a more willing creator for his teammates.

Defensively, Tatum should be pretty switchable like he was at Duke. Tatum also managed to amass 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks per 40 minutes.

Learn more about Jayson Tatum at The Step Back.