NBA Mock Draft 8.0: Raptors take a high-risk prospect; Lakers get a steal in round 1

NBA Draft prospect Anthony Black (Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports)
NBA Draft prospect Anthony Black (Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports)
11 of 22
NBA Draft
NBA Draft prospect Gradey Dick (Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports)

11. Orlando Magic (via Chicago Bulls) – Gardey Dick, F, Kansas

With the strides that this team managed to make this season, there’s a very real shot that the Orlando Magic could be a dark horse playoff team in the Eastern Conference next season. Hitting on another draft pick or two could go a long way in making that happen. With their second pick in the lottery, the Magic could target a prospect with a high floor in Gradey Dick. At the very least, Dick projects to be a shooting specialist at the next level.

But there’s hope that he can also be so much more. And that’s the biggest reason why he has a chance to be taken in the top 10 of this year’s NBA Draft. He has great size for a guard and if he continues to improve on the defensive end, there’s a chance he’ll be able to play multiple positions at the next level.

Placing Dick next to this talented core will only make the transition easier for him. He won’t have to come in and be the savior and he likely won’t be tasked with playing big minutes right away, unless he does develop that quickly.

Orlando is building something good and Dick could be just another piece of their successful puzzle.