Orlando Magic: Exum or Smart?

[thebigabd]

Orlando has a great opportunity in this years draft. They have a nice foundation of young talent like Vucevic, Oladipo, and Harris. They need a power forward and a point guard.

If I were them I would take Dante Exum at #4 and hope Julius Randle falls to #12. If Randle does not fall to #12, I would take Payne out of Michigan State.

If you were on the clock, which PG would you take?

 

[WTSooner]

That is way too early to take Payne.

I would take Exum, but I say that knowing Orlando already has a good pg option, so Exum can be used as a combo-guard, until it's better understood how his game will fit in the NBA.

 

[bocabull]

Exum might go #1 with Embiid injured. It's not out of the question. He's supposedly blowing people away in workouts, interviews & testing. Looks like Embiid could fall to Orlando.

 

[playmakr]

Exum is my favorite player in the draft with Joel Oden's issues.

 

[thebigabd]

That is way too early to take Payne.

I would take Exum, but I say that knowing Orlando already has a good pg option, so Exum can be used as a combo-guard, until it's better understood how his game will fit in the NBA.

You think #12 is too early to take Payne?

Adreian Payne (6'10'' 245)
Wingspan: 7'4''
9'1'' standing reach

Payne is an excellent athlete who can step out and shoot 3's and mid-range jumpers all day. Coached by Tom Izzo for 4 years. He would be a great fit with Vucevic in the paint. He shot 42% from the 3pt line at Michigan State.

PG: Dante Exum
SG: Victor Oladipo
SF: Tobias Harris
PF: Adriean Payne
C: Nikola Vucevic

 

[thebigabd]

Too high at #12? I have to believe this guy is an upgrade at power forward for them. That shooting ability alongside a 7'4'' wingspan with the athletic ability. He has the makings of a very solid NBA player.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=vvcswZ40Sv0#t=45

 

[WTSooner]

I don't think I've seen a single mock that had him in the top 15. Much closer to 20. He isn't very physical. He is basically a big 4 that can step out and shoot, and I don't think he'll do much else in the NBA.

 

[playmakr]

I don't think I've seen a single mock that had him in the top 15. Much closer to 20. He isn't very physical. He is basically a big 4 that can step out and shoot, and I don't think he'll do much else in the NBA.

Those are the types of players he salivates over. Ryan Anderson is probably his favorite player in the NBA.

 

[thebigabd]

Those are the types of players he salivates over. Ryan Anderson is probably his favorite player in the NBA.

Ha, well, if you can get a player who averages 20/7 a game like Ryan Anderson at #12 you do it without thinking twice. That's the same pick OKC used to take freakin Cole Aldrich a couple of years ago, lol.

 

[bocabull]

Payne's draft stock is devalued because he's a senior. Same thing happened with Draymond Green who ended up being a steal. It's all a crap shoot though.

Look at how terrible the 2010 draft was. Pitiful. Pro basketball talk had a nice interview with an orthopedic doctor about Embiid. 90% chance if he's handled correctly this injury in a non factor in his career. Most likely the injury was caused from a combination of rushing back from his back injury, some poor mechanics & not using custom made shoes. His agent also has a history of refusing information to certain teams to steer his clients to more desirable destinations. Remember Blake sat his rookie season and it just made him better. Embiid is the #1 pick. Once word got out he was going to be the Cavs #1 pick all this information got out leading you to believe he's the next Greg Oden. I'm just saying ...

 

[bocabull]

I don't think I've seen a single mock that had him in the top 15. Much closer to 20. He isn't very physical. He is basically a big 4 that can step out and shoot, and I don't think he'll do much else in the NBA.

If you had to bet money who would have a better NBA career between McDermott & Payne who you taking? I'm taking Payne the Izzo toughened 4 year player over the small school gunner.

I'm really shocked ABD is not pimping McDermott who is more along the lines of his Joe Alexander, Luke Babbitt, Jimmer Fredette heros.

 

[WTSooner]

If you had to bet money who would have a better NBA career between McDermott & Payne who you taking? I'm taking Payne the Izzo toughened 4 year player over the small school gunner.

I'm really shocked ABD is not pimping McDermott who is more along the lines of his Joe Alexander, Luke Babbitt, Jimmer Fredette heros.

I actually like McDermott. I think he is a better athlete than some of the other big white shooters that have stunk in recent memory. Guys like Morrison from Zaga.

The truth though, is that both are role players that likely only do one or two things well in the NBA, and their successes will probably be partly dictated by what teams they end up on.

 

[thebigabd]

If you had to bet money who would have a better NBA career between McDermott & Payne who you taking? I'm taking Payne the Izzo toughened 4 year player over the small school gunner.

I'm really shocked ABD is not pimping McDermott who is more along the lines of his Joe Alexander, Luke Babbitt, Jimmer Fredette heros.

I really thought Joe Alexander was going to be the real deal. In that draft he was rated as the best overall athlete in the draft, in terms of vertical, reach, strength, and speed. He could shoot as well. He turned into a big bust.

The truth though, is that both are roll players that likely only do one or two things well in the NBA, and their successes will probably be partly dictated by what teams they end up on.

Sure, and for Orlando I think Payne is a perfect fit on that team at #12. They have a legit center in Vucevic, and a super athletic stretch 4 would be a good compliment. At least I would think so.

 

[thebigabd]

Neither.... they take Aaron Gordon from Arizona with the #4 pick and are part of a trade deal to get Elfrid Payton at #12. Surprised they left Exum on the board, but these look like two pretty good picks.

I saw some NBA people comparing him to Kenneth Faried, but Aaron Gordon looks more like the second coming of Andrei Kirilenko to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=wcI8R8yFfRc#t=19

 

[bocabull]

Neither.... they take Aaron Gordon from Arizona with the #4 pick and are part of a trade deal to get Elfrid Payton at #12. Surprised they left Exum on the board, but these look like two pretty good picks.

I saw some NBA people comparing him to Kenneth Faried, but Aaron Gordon looks more like the second coming of Andrei Kirilenko to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=wcI8R8yFfRc#t=19

Gordon is in the mold of Blake Griffin coming out. Superb athlete without any range on his shot. If Gordon returned to UA he very likely could have been #1 next year.

 

[thebigabd]

Gordon is in the mold of Blake Griffin coming out. Superb athlete without any range on his shot. If Gordon returned to UA he very likely could have been #1 next year.

So I take it you like the Gordon pick at #4? Do you think these guys are potential starters for Orlando this year?

PG: Elfrid Payton
SG: Victor Oladipo
SF: Tobias Harris
PF: Aaron Gordon
C: Nikola Vucevic

 

[bocabull]

So I take it you like the Gordon pick at #4? Do you think these guys are potential starters for Orlando this year?

PG: Elfrid Payton
SG: Victor Oladipo
SF: Tobias Harris
PF: Aaron Gordon
C: Nikola Vucevic

Gordon showed flashes of Blake Griffin on a regular basis. History shows the biggest upside is usually the stud athlete who can't shoot. You can develop a shot but not the athletic ability. The biggest busts are usually the great shooters with limited athletic ability. I won't be surpassed at all if Embiid, Gordon & Smart are the 3 best players from this draft.

Unless the Magic trade or sign an impact free agent they will likely start Oladipo and Fournier at guard along with Harris, Gordon & Vucevic. They are around $20 million bellow the minimum salary floor of ~ $54 million so they will be signing some free agents.

 

[bocabull]

Magic is signing Channing Frye. Nice fit. A stretch 4 veteran who can rip it from 3 to go with all their athletic young defenders.

They have a pretty full roster and another $15 million to spend on free agents. The East is so wide open they could flirt with the playoffs. Should be able to really get after people athletically.

 

[thebigabd]

Magic is signing Channing Frye. Nice fit. A stretch 4 veteran who can rip it from 3 to go with all their athletic young defenders.

They have a pretty full roster and another $15 million to spend on free agents. The East is so wide open they could flirt with the playoffs. Should be able to really get after people athletically.

Very nice fit next to Vucevic.

 

[bocabull]

They signed Ben Gordon too which is interesting. Thought he didn't have anything left in the tank. But hey, at 31 maybe he's got a second wind and could give them some off the bench instant offense.

Tobias Harris, Arron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic is a young nasty front line. This team could become the Memphis of the East rapidly.