It’s no secret that the 2021 NBA Draft Combine was one of the most important dates of the offseason for the Orlando Magic. Sure, Orlando is expected to be proactive when the NBA Draft (July 29th) and the start of Free Agency (August 2nd) rolls around. However, the Draft Combine usually offers plenty of fundamental insight and knowledge of the select number of prospects that participate. For some prospects, the Draft Combine may have cemented some players’ fate of being selected in the first round. For others, the Draft Combine may have elevated some players into the conversation of being picked altogether. With this taken into consideration, here are the five Draft Prospects whom the Magic and their Front Office should take note of entering the 2021 NBA Draft based on great performances at the Draft Combine.
Keon Johnson, SG, Tennesse
As previously mentioned, Orlando should avoid selecting Johnson with one of their two first-round picks. While this is true, Johnson did cement himself as a possible top-five pick with his natural athleticism and size. While Johnson is a lanky guard with two-way potential, he also proved that his vertical game is as strong as anyone else’s. In addition to notching an absurd 41.5-inch standing jump, Johnson also shattered the former record of the running jump with a 48-inch mark, dethroning the 45.5-inch mark set by Kenny Gregory in 2001. Of course, Johnson’s shooting will need to improve, as he just hit on 27.1% of his three-point attempts, but his athletic offers tons of upside. The 2020-2021 All-SEC Freshman is still 19, meaning he has plenty of time to grow with his shooting.
Joe Wieskamp, SF, Iowa
During his three years at Oregon, it’s clear that Wieskamp’s biggest strength is shooting. While Wieskamp was a career 41.2% three-point shooter at Iowa, his uncanny physique was also on display at the Draft Combine. Wieskamp finished fourth in the Vertical Jump with a mark of 44 inches and in Lane Agility at 10.7 seconds, and also placed third among forwards in the three-quarter sprint time of 3.04 seconds. To cap it all off, Wieskamp dominated at the five-on-five scrimmages. In Wieskamp’s first scrimmage, he dropped a game-high 26 points on six-of-seven shooting from three-point range, along with ten rebounds. Standing at 6’6″, with incredible three-point shooting and athleticism, some team will be getting a steal in Wieskamp in the late parts of the second round.
Isaiah Mobley, PF/C, USC
While Mobley’s production went highly unnoticed due to his brother Evan, Isiah also showed that he can become a premier stretch-forward in the NBA. In his lone scrimmage game, Mobley posted 18 points, four rebounds, and five steals while going three-of-five from three-point range. Mobley wasn’t a high-volume shooter in two seasons at USC, but did hit on 47.2% of his shots from the field and 43.6% from downtown. Mobley’s production shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, as he averaged 9.9 PPG and 7.3 RPG while coming off the bench for USC. In addition to his superb scrimmage showing, Mobley also has all the tools to be a disruptive defender. When you have an 87-inch wingspan and 107.5-inch standing reach, chances are that you’ll be a great defender. If Mobley can put all of his skills together, he will become an up-and-coming star in the NBA.
Yves Pons, PF/C, Tennesse
Due to his own showing at the Combine and good play in college, Pons’ draft stock will also be on the rise. Pons finished third in the max vertical leap with a leap of 42.5-inches, and notched a standing reach of 8’8″. The former Volunteer used his size to his strength in college by becoming one of College Basketball’s best rim-protectors. Pons notched a total of 47 blocks in 26 games or 1.8 BPG. His ability to control the paint also improved his production on the offensive end, too. Pons averaged a modest 8.7 PPG and 5.3 RPG while shooting 44.6% from the field and 55.7% on two-point attempts. As firmly dubbed as a late second-round pick to maybe even going undrafted, Pons’ size and intangibles in the paint should help change once the NBA Draft begins on July 29th.
Jerico Sims, C, Texas
Like Wieskamp, Sims was another relatively unknown prospect entering the draft process. Fortunately for Sims, his draft value has skyrocketed due to a strong showing at the Draft Combine. Sims finished second in the standing Vertical Jump and Max Vertical Jump with marks of 37 and 44.5 inches. The four-year Longhorn standout also led all centers in Lane Agility and three-quarter sprint, with times of 11.59 and 3.05 seconds. Sims also performed well in the five-on-five scrimmages, where he dropped 18 points and six rebounds in 28 minutes. Sims isn’t a one-and-done collegiate star like other draft hopefuls, as he gave constant production over all four years at Texas. With his sheer athleticism and paint dominance, Sims has all the tools to become another second-round pick that exceeds all expectations.