/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49881165/GettyImages-450336544.0.jpg)
With the 23rd pick in the 2016 GBB Community Mock NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic select...
Thon Maker, Forward, High School Senior
(Roberto Serra- Iguana Press/Getty Images)
Talk about a pick for potential! Orlando's Mock GM Daron Koch explains his rationale for the likely-to-be-perceived reach here:
With the 16th pick, the mock Orlando Magic went with a "need" pick in Deyonta Davis, so for the 23rd pick, they decide to swing for the fences and select Thon Maker.
While many may feel this is a reach at 23, this is the kind of pick that, if he lives up to his potential, could mean the difference between future playoff runs & future lottery selections. Yes, there were safer picks on the board, but what kind of mock GM would I be by playing it safe?
Thon has some nice physical tools. He is 7'1" with a 9'3" standing reach. While not a gazelle, he does have decent speed to get up & down the court. He can shoot reasonably well from outside, which is a must in today's era. His motor is very high and will provide energy off the bench early in his career. Given his youth, he definitely has huge upside (channeling my inner Mel Kiper there) and while he is by no means a guaranteed success, at #23, he is worth a shot.
Thon also has a huge competitive side, willing to expend all of his energy in order to succeed. This, I believe, puts him a step ahead of other potential boom or bust picks.
Daron goes out on a limb at #23 overall. The Philadelphia 76ers are on the clock.
Date | Pick/Team | Selection | Mock GM |
June 2nd | 1/Philadelphia | Brandon Ingram, Forward, Duke University | Joe Mullinax |
June 2nd | 2/LA Lakers | Ben Simmons, Forward, LSU | Corban Ford |
June 3rd | 3/Boston | Marquese Chriss, Power Forward, Washington | Chip Williams |
June 3rd | 4/Phoenix | Dragan Bender, Power Forward, Maccabi Tel Aviv | Kyle Whittington |
June 6th | 5/Minnesota | Buddy Hield, Guard, Oklahoma | Aimee S |
June 6th | 6/Denver | Jamal Murray, Guard, Kentucky | Mopizzle11 |
June 7th | 7/Denver | Domantas Sabonis, Forward/Center, Gonzaga | Mopizzle11 |
June 7th | 8/Sacramento | Kris Dunn, Guard, Providence | Brandon C |
June 8th | 9/Toronto | Henry Ellenson, Forward, Marquette | Tabitha |
June 8th | 10/Milwaukee | Timothe Luwawu, Guard/Forward, Mega Leks | Kevin Yeung |
June 9th | 11/Boston | Jaylen Brown, Guard/Forward, California | Chip Williams |
June 9th | 12/Utah | Jakob Poeltl, Center, Utah | BealeStreetKen |
June 10th | 13/Phoenix | Skal Labissiere, Forward/Center, Kentucky | Kyle Whittington |
June 10th | 14/Memphis | Denzel Valentine, Guard/Forward, Michigan State | Joe Mullinax |
June 13th | 15/New Orleans | Taurean Prince, Forward, Baylor | Wes George |
June 13th | 16/Orlando | Deyonta Davis, Forward/Center, Michigan State | Daron Koch |
June 14th | 17/Chicago | Wade Baldwin IV, Guard, Vanderbilt | Brandon C |
June 14th | 18/Detroit | Dejounte Murray, Guard, Washington | Joe Mullinax |
June 15th | 19/New Orleans | Furkan Korkmaz, Guard/Forward, Turkey | Wes George |
June 15th | 20/Indiana | DeAndre Bembry, Guard/Forward, St. Joseph's | Aimee S |
June 16th | 21/Atlanta | Brice Johnson, Forward, North Carolina | Joe Mullinax |
June 16th | 22/Charlotte | Ivica Zubac, Center, Bosnia and Herzegovina | Justin Sims |
June 17th | 23/Orlando | Thon Maker, Forward, High School Senior | Daron Koch |
June 17th | 24/Philadelphia | Jama17 | |
June 20th | 25/LA Clippers | Kevin Lipe | |
June 20th | 26/Philadelphia | Joe Mullinax | |
June 21st | 27/Toronto | Tabitha | |
June 21st | 28/Phoenix | Kyle Whittington | |
June 22nd | 29/San Antonio | Jill Kong | |
June 22nd | 30/Golden State | rhinoh23 |