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Fit Mock Draft: Lottery Edition

By Michael Dugger

Mar 11, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox (0) reacts after making a basket during the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky won 79-74. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox (0) reacts after making a basket during the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky won 79-74. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 17, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots the ball against Troy Trojans forward Alex Hicks (30) during the second half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots the ball against Troy Trojans forward Alex Hicks (30) during the second half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

6) Orlando Magic- Jayson Tatum, Forward, Duke, Freshman

Stats per game 2016-17: 33.3 MIN/16.8 PTS/50.7 eFG%/34.2 3PT%/7.3 REB/2.1 AST/1.3 STL/1.1 BLK

Measurements from 2016 Hoop Summit: 6’8 ¼” height with shoes/204 lbs./6’11” wingspan/8’10 ½ standing reach

The Magic could go with a point guard in Dennis Smith, but a Jayson Tatum and Aaron Gordon frontcourt is too enticing to pass on. Orlando needs a go-to scorer in the half-court, which happens to be Tatum’s greatest strength. He benefitted in college by using his size to take on smaller threes and going around larger fours with his quickness. He’s a fluid scorer from all three levels with the ability to space the floor off-the-ball.

Aaron Gordon showed promise at the four after spending most of his career at the small forward position in big lineups. The extra space opened lanes for him and point guard Elfrid Payton as both develop their shooting strokes. Adding Tatum would stretch defenses out even more alongside guard Evan Fournier and mid-range specialist Nikola Vucevic. Tatum was an inconsistent defender at Duke but has the measurables to become effective on the wing.

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