Orlando Magic still evaluating all options with No. 1 pick in NBA draft

ORLANDO, Fla. — College basketball season ended almost three months ago, the NBA draft lottery was more than a month ago and the draft itself is later this week.

Seems like the process should be winding down.

Orlando Magic president Jeff Weltman sees it differently.

«I tell you, it's still early in the process,» Weltman said Monday.

Translated: The Magic haven't decided yet what they'll do on Thursday night, when the draft rolls around and they have the No. 1 pick. Other teams have called to gauge what the asking price would be if they want to trade for that selection, and the Magic have evaluated all the top candidates.

But Weltman sees no reason to decide anything before it's absolutely necessary, especially given the opportunity that Orlando has by holding this No. 1 pick.

«Dialogue is always ongoing,» Weltman said. «But, most importantly, we get to do what we want. That's the real benefit of having the No. 1 pick.»

The top candidates for the pick are well-known: Auburn's Jabari Smith Jr. worked out for Orlando earlier this month, Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren met with the Magic for multiple days last week and Duke's Paolo Banchero has been working out with former Magic guard Mike Miller.

Weltman wouldn't say that those are the only three candidates Orlando would consider at No. 1.

«It's confirmed that there are a lot of talented players at the top of this draft, that's for sure,» Weltman said.

This is the fourth time that Orlando will be making the No. 1 pick. The Magic took Shaquille O'Neal with the top selection in 1992. Chris Webber was the No. 1 pick by Orlando in 1993, and he got traded that same night for Penny Hardaway and a package of future picks that were eventually turned into Vince Carter and, later, Miller.