NBA Mock Draft 9.0: NY Knicks trade up for a PG; Magic go rogue at No. 1

NBA Draft prospect Paolo Banchero (Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports)
NBA Draft prospect Paolo Banchero (Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports)
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NBA Draft
NBA Draft prospect A.J. Griffin (Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports)

6. Indiana Pacers – A.J. Griffin, F, Duke

The Indiana Pacers have plenty of options at No. 6 but there is an interesting Duke product that seems to be a hot commodity. A.J. Griffin would be a solid selection for a building team such as the Pacers.

Griffin has drawn comparisons to Jimmy Butler – except Griffin has the potential to hit the 3-point shot on a consistent basis. If Griffin does end up developing into being a Jimmy-type player with a consistent 3-pointer, he’d be one of the greatest players to ever play the game.

Even if Griffin doesn’t end up being another Jimmy, he still has the potential to be a really good player. It’s no surprise that he continues to rise up draft boards. That said, I can’t see him sneaking into the top 5. The 6-11 range seems to be a best-case scenario for Griffin.