Fansided

2017 FanSided NBA Network Mock Draft: Let the experts decide

By Staff

March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 11, 2017; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward John Collins (20) dunks the ball during the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward John Collins (20) dunks the ball during the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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John Collins

Power Forward, Wake Forest

The last thing the Orlando Magic would seemingly need is another post player. They certainly do not need another center. Not unless there is a trade for Nikola Vucevic or Bismack Biyombo in the works. The team has plenty of size on the block. Yet, the team still lacks a traditional power forward. The team needs a grinder to dig out rebounds and provide some versatility on the perimeter.

To me, that would make John Collins an absolute steal with the No. 25 overall pick. Collins averaged 19.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game last year for Wake Forest, scoring mostly in and around the basket and working in the mid-range game. He is a bruiser in the traditional sense. Considering the Magic just need a talent upgrade in general, it is hard to pass on a player who showed so much growth and seems like he could step onto a NBA court quickly and contribute. He will have to continue expanding his range. And he will have to prove he has the speed to stay out on the perimeter some, but the other numbers trend well. Rebounding typically translates to the NBA.

Coming off the bench, the Magic will not need much from him. Just go out and play his game. That is something it already seems like Collins is good at.

— Philip Rossman-Reich, Orlando Magic Daily, @OMagicDaily