The Magic landed the top selection at the NBA Draft Lottery and while Jabari Smith Jr. seems to be the favorite at that spot, what the club does elsewhere in the draft remains more of a mystery.
The franchise also owns the No. 32 and No. 35 selections in the draft and it’s possible that they could move up into the first round. Sean Deveney of Heavy.com hears that the Magic have contacted the Warriors about the No. 28 pick.
Orlando, which has the first pick and is looking to collect a core that can grow together, has also asked about the pick, sources said.
…The Warriors might be willing to let the pick go in favor of future interests, including multiple second-rounders.
In our All-Trade Mock Draft, we examined Orlando’s path to gaining an additional top-10 pick. That involved a package of future assets, including multiple first-rounders, though if the Magic wanted to move to the back of the first round, the pricetag appears much more manageable. Former Nets assistant GM and current ESPN analyst Bobby Marks suggested to Deveney that Orlando’s two second-round picks could be enough.
This isn’t the first time that the Warriors have been rumored to be open to moving their pick, though there have been conflicting reports as to whether they will move the selection for financial reasons.
In his pre draft press conference, Bob Myers says money won’t be the determining factor on if they use their 28th pick or trade if.
“It’ll be if it makes sense.”
— Kendra Andrews (@kendra__andrews) June 22, 2022
