FanSided Network 2018 NBA Mock Draft

By Staff | Jun 13, 2018

Kentucky's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander throws down a dunk in the second half against Davidson during the first round of the NCAA Tournament West Regional at Taco Bell Arena in Boise, Idaho, on Thursday, March 15, 2018. Kentucky advanced, 78-73. (Darin Oswald/Idaho Statesman/TNS via Getty Images) /

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Michigan State. Jaren Jackson Jr.. 6. player. 38. . C

At this point the Orlando Magic need an impact player no matter how they can get it. They need someone who can grow into a potential star player and give the team some identity. This is an important draft for the team. It seems counterintuitive with both Bismack Biyombo and Nikola Vucevic still under contract for the team to go big. But the Magic are probably not married to either of those guys anyway. And so the pick here is the best player available.

That is still Jaren Jackson Jr. The potential to build an ultra-switchy, versatile defensive front court with Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac is tantalizing. That seems like the beginnings of a fun core. Or at least an identity. Orlando would still need pieces — and offense — but that is the best the Magic can do right now. Jackson is a very intriguing player whose game seems to fit the modern NBA best of any center in this Draft.

— Philip Rossman-Reich

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