NBA Draft Rumors: Magic, Kings, Hornets

Magic

• Opposing executives are continue to think the Magic will go with Auburn power forward Jabari Smith Jr. at No. 1 overall, though Orlando continues to explore all options, per Jonathan Givony of ESPN.
• Several league sources told Hoops Wire they believe Gonzaga center Chet Holmgren is still in play. Givony’s new mock has Smith going first, Holmgren second to the Thunder and Duke center Paolo Banchero third to the Rockets. Meanwhile, you can check out the Hoops Wire mock draft right here.
• One player who could help the Magic facilitate a trade this offseason — in the draft or otherwise — is none other than Terrence Ross. It appears both he and the Magic are ready to move on, and given that Ross has been a true professional and hard worker, it won’t be easy for the Magic to part ways. But with the rebuild in full go, sources strongly believe Ross will be playing elsewhere to start next season.

Kings

• There are still plenty of rumblings about the Kings willingness to move the No. 4 overall selection. especially for teams that may be high on Purdue guard Jaden Ivey (such as perhaps the Thunder, as we relayed here). But Sacramento very well could also keep the pick and find another young talent for itself.
• Should the Kings keep the pick, they could opt for a bit of a surprise in Iowa forward Keegan Murray, Givony wrote. Most mocks have him being selected quite a bit later than No. 4 overall, but per Givony, both Kings owner Vivek Ranadive and incoming coach Mike Brown are fans. Meanwhile, Sacramento is not among Ivey’s preferred destinations.
• Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee takes a look at whether Kentucky guard Shaedon Sharpe would be a good fit with the Kings. Without a doubt, he is a candidate to go in the top five of the draft.

Hornets

• Many around the league seem to believe the Hornets will keep either their No. 13 pick or their No. 15, but not both, per Givony. With a new coach in Kenny Atkinson, the Hornets are more likely to try to set their sights on a serious playoff push than add two developmental players with guaranteed contracts.
• The Hornets hosted a pre-draft workout on Wednesday that consisted of the following players: Forward Marcus Bingham (Michigan State), guard Javon Freeman-Liberty (DePaul), center Makur Maker (Sydney Kings/Australia), guard Ikenna Ndugba (Greensboro Swarm/G League), guard Taz Sherman (West Virginia) and guard Payton Willis (Minnesota). Along with the Nos. 13 and 15 picks, the Hornets own No. 45 overall.