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In his latest NBA Draft 2014 mock for ESPN, Chad Ford projects the Orlando Magic to select Kansas swingman Andrew Wiggins with the second overall pick, just after the Milwaukee Bucks take Joel Embiid, a teammate of Wiggins', first overall.
While guards Dante Exum and Marcus Smart could be "in play" for Orlando, according to Ford, Wiggins might be the pick because of his "athletic tools." The Ontario native "intrigue[s]" the Magic, and Ford rightly notes that none of Orlando's young players has "franchise star" potential. Wiggins does, and the Magic can afford to exercise patience in his development.
Wiggins is averaging 15.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists for the Jayhawks in his freshman season, shooting 43.9 percent from the floor and 32.8 percent on three-pointers.
With the WoNK pick, Ford projects Orlando to take Creighton small forward Doug McDermott, whom he praises as "one of the best scorers in college basketball," 14th overall. In his senior season, McDermott is averaging 24.8 points per game in 31.5 minutes, with a True Shooting mark of 63 percent.
