In this 2017 NBA Mock Draft, Daily Knicks provides upside comparisons for every Round 1 prospect. Who do the New York Knicks..."/> In this 2017 NBA Mock Draft, Daily Knicks provides upside comparisons for every Round 1 prospect. Who do the New York Knicks..."/>
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2017 NBA Mock Draft: New York Knicks And A Full Round 1

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 14, 2017; Stanford, CA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) moves the ball against the Stanford Cardinal in the second half at Maples Pavilion. Stanford won 76-69. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2017; Stanford, CA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) moves the ball against the Stanford Cardinal in the second half at Maples Pavilion. Stanford won 76-69. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 19, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket against South Carolina Gamecocks forward Maik Kotsar (21) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket against South Carolina Gamecocks forward Maik Kotsar (21) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Orlando Magic: Jayson Tatum, Orlando Magic

Position: Small Forward
Age: 19 (3/3/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’8″, 204 pounds, 6’11”
2016-17 Slash Line: .452/.342/.849
2016-17 Season Averages: 33.3 MPG, 16.8 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 1.4 3PM

Considering the Orlando Magic traded Serge Ibaka—for whom they traded Victor Oladipo—for Terrence Ross, it’s hard to imagine a small forward being the pick. Yet, when one looks at the draft board, an easy argument could be made that the best players available are both small forwards.

Although Orlando has Evan Fournier and Ross along the wings and Aaron Gordon at power forward, the Magic make the decision to find a potential franchise player in Jayson Tatum.

Orlando is under new management, and both Jeff Weltman and John Hammond would be wise to invest in a new face of the franchise. Fournier is productive and Ross promising, but neither have guided Orlando to the playoffs.

The best option for Orlando at this current juncture would be to test the legitimacy of Payton’s progress and start Ross, Tatum, and Gordon as the guards and forwards of the future.

Tatum has a lethal midrange game and a strong enough outside shot to hold opponents accountable. He’s certainly not elite on defense, but he proved to be a more competitive defender than he was expected to be in 2016-17.

Orlando needs nothing more than a player who can emerge as a go-to scorer, and Tatum has the tools to become that type of contributor. The New York Knicks will be eyeing this pick

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