NBA mock Draft 2014: Magic projected to pick Dante Exum and Willie Cauley-Stein, analyst says

In his latest 2014 NBA mock Draft, Basketball Insiders publisher Steve Kyler projects the Orlando Magic to select Dante Exum third overall and Willie Cauley-Stein 12th overall via the WoNK pick.

Several recent mocks have matched Exum and the Magic, a sensible pairing given the potential the electric Australian combo guard possesses. At 6-foot-6, he has the size to play shooting guard, but also the dynamic playmaking ability to man the point. A tandem of Exum and Victor Oladipo could prove devastatingly effective on defense.

In this mock, Exum comes off the board just after the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers select Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker, respectively. Among the big names left on the board after Kyler picks Exum on Orlando's behalf: Joel Embiid, Julius Randle, and Marcus Smart.

In two seasons at Kentucky, Cauley-Stein has averaged 7.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, one steal, and 2.6 blocks per game in 24 minutes, shooting 60.8 percent from the floor. A true seven-footer, Cauley-Stein could offer the Magic the infusion of shot-blocking and interior defense they sorely lack, particularly off the bench.

Picking Cauley-Stein this early might be unpopular with Orlando Pinstriped Post readers, as some players still on the board--including Doug McDermott, Nik Stauskas, and Tyler Ennis--when the Magic take him in this exercise have gained a following here.

Orlando will likely finish with the NBA's third-worst record, meaning it would enter the Draft lottery assured of its own pick not dropping below sixth overall.