Draft 2023 is in less than a week, and maneuvers and rumors of all kinds are starting to seriously multiply in recent hours, particularly in the Top 10.
While at podium level the only certainty is the selection of Victor Wembanyama by the Spurs in first position, the rumors of an interest of the Pelicans for Scoot Henderson or those of the Warriors for a high choice in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga make uncertain , until the end, the projections of a good part of the Top 10.
To these rumours, we must now add an important decision by an eminent member of this Top 10: that ofAusar Thompson to cancel his individual “workout” scheduled for Friday with the Pacers, holders of the 7th choice. While his brother Amen should not pass the 4th choice of the Rockets, Ausar Thompson is rather approached between 5th and 10th place, the Indianapolis club then appearing as a possible destination.
Such a decision therefore seems to send a clear message: he could judge not to need to perform an individual “workout” with the Pacers because he is confident that he will no longer be available when Indiana announces his choice. In other words, he could have received a Draft promise in the Top 6…
While the Top 5, in a more or less defined order behind “Wemby” (Scoot Henderson, Brandon Miller, Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore), seems to be taking shape, we therefore strongly think of Orlando in #6. With an already full frontcourt (Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr), the Magic could indeed bet on the great potential of Amen Thompson and thus considerably strengthen its backcourt for the future.
In our Mock Draft 2.0, Ausar Thompson is in any case our choice for the Magic in 6th position…
