NBA Mock Draft: Magic Grab Top College Center
ORLANDO — The Orlando Magic are less than two weeks away from the 2024 NBA Draft, and they could look to get one of the most recognizable names in the class.
HoopsHype wrote up an aggregate mock draft, which had Purdue center Zach Edey heading to the Magic with the No. 18 overall pick.
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"Orlando is expected to prioritize shooting this offseason to improve the team. Some rival executives around the league believe Orlando could look to add a center to its rotation," HoopsHype writes. "Purdue center Zach Edey, the two-time National Player of the Year, is a dominant low-post scorer, rebounder, and rim protector. Some NBA talent evaluators, however, believe he’ll be targeted defensively in pick-and-roll actions and struggle guarding smaller guards on the perimeter."
Edey, 22, averaged 25.2 points and 12.2 rebounds per game with Purdue in his senior season en route to his second consecutive NCAA Player of the Year award. Every year he was with the Boilermakers, Edey improved, and now he has blossomed into a potential late lottery pick.
At 7-4, Edey matches the profile of the Magic, one of the tallest and longest teams in the NBA. While he doesn't quite help Orlando's 3-point shooting woes, he gives the Magic another option at center with Goga Bitadze likely not returning to the team in free agency.
If Edey is available at No. 18, the Magic should certainly consider taking him, but there will be other options on the board that could fill more pressing needs.
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