Among the many key questions facing Rob Hennigan as the Orlando Magic's crucial offseason begins: on which player should he use his NBA Draft pick? While the Lottery is still more than a week away--here are the odds--it's not too early for observers and fans to try tackling that question themselves.
Regarding whom Hennigan should select, our own Matt Graber has argued for Justise Winslow. In a new mock Draft for ESPN Insider, Chad Ford floats another name: Kristaps Porziņģis.
Ford believes the Latvian seven-footer would be "a great fit" in the Magic's frontcourt rotation, playing power forward alongside Nik Vučević and Plastic Man Aaron Gordon. According to Ford, Porziņģis' combination of outside shooting and shot-blocking addresses two areas in which Orlando is sorely lacking.
In fact, the only Draft prospect Ford rates above Porziņģis, in terms of meeting Orlando's needs, is Kentucky's Karl-Anthony Towns.
In the 2014/15 season, Porziņģis made 31 appearances for Baloncesto Sevilla, which plays in the Spanish league Liga ACB. In just 21.3 minutes per game, the 19-year-old averaged a team-best 10.8 points to go with 4.8 rebounds and one block. He shot 52.8 percent from the floor and 32.9 percent on three-pointers.
