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NBA Draft 2017: Predicting the first ten selections

By Keith Rivas

Jan 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) walks up court during the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center. Arizona won 77-66. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) walks up court during the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center. Arizona won 77-66. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 19, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts during the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks 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) reacts during the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Jayson Tatum. 5. player. 38. . SF. Duke

Before Lonzo Ball goes to Minnesota, the Magic will take talented Duke forward Jayson Tatum. Orlando is a popular landing spot for Tatum, with CBS Sports contributor Howard Megdal comparing him to an early version of Carmelo Anthony.

There’s a lot to like about what he brings to the table. The Magic need a forward that they can depend on, and in the long term scheme of things, he’s likely to be their guy.

The last team to make the NBA Finals from the Eastern Conference before teams led by LeBron James started making it year after year was the Magic. Then again, they had Dwight Howard at the time.

If the Magic are going to go anywhere soon, they’ll need Jayson Tatum to be a gold mine.

Being a top five pick, like Ball going sixth, doesn’t guarantee anything about how he’ll play out. If all luck goes against the Magic, Tatum could struggle to get his game on an NBA level.

Averaging 16.8 points and 7.3 rebounds at Duke makes him a fitting finish to the top five.

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