2016 NBA Mock Draft: Drafting For Need

Dragan Bender, a professional Croatian basketball player currently playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Israeli Basketball Super League attends a training session at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv on March 16, 2016.Bender's name is not yet well known beyond hardcore basketball fans, but that may soon change. Bender is expected to be highly sought after by US professional basketball teams in the coming months. / AFP / JACK GUEZ (Photo credit should read JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images) /

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Mar 19, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Skal Labissiere (1) grabs a rebound against Indiana Hoosiers guard Robert Johnson (4) in the first half during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

11. Orlando Magic: Skal Labissiere, Kentucky Wildcats

Position: Forward/Center
Age: 20 (3/18/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 7’0″, 216 pounds, 7’1.5″
Slash Line: .516/.000/.661
Season Averages: 15.8 MPG, 6.6 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.0 ORPG, 1.6 BPG

The Orlando Magic have All-Star potential at all five positions. Elfrid Payton at point guard, Victor Oladipo and Evan Fournier at shooting guard, Mario Hezonja at small forward, Aaron Gordon at power forward, and Nikola Vucevic at center all qualify as such.

What Orlando so clearly lacks is a rim protector, and that’s where Marquese Chriss, Deyonta Davis, and Skal Labissiere come into play.

Chriss, Davis, and Labissiere are all rim protecting power forwards who could potentially play the 5. None are ready to start immediately, which is exactly why they’re such appropriate picks for an Orlando team that has limited space in its rotation.

The question is, which player from that group is best for the Magic to invest in?

Chriss and Labissiere can space the floor, but Davis has the body that’s closest to being NBA-ready. Due to Gordon and Vucevic playing an interior-based style, adding the upside player who can shoot is the best bet.

Orlando can gamble on a long-term project due to its remarkable depth and upside at all five positions, which makes Labissiere a pick who fits the team’s long-term needs and vision.

Next: Utah Jazz

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