Magic pick Domantas Sabonis, reportedly trade him to Thunder
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The Magic have selected Gonzaga forward Domantas Sabonis with the No. 11 pick in the 2016 NBA draft, but his rights will reportedly be traded to the Thunder.
The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Sabonis is part of a package that the Magic will send to Oklahoma City in exchange for Serge Ibaka.
Along with Sabonis, the Thunder will receive Victor Oladipo and Ersan Ilyasova.
Sabonis is a Lithuanian–born player who played two seasons with Gonzaga. Over his career with the Bulldogs, Sabonis averaged 13.5 points, 9.4 total rebounds and 1.3 assists, with significant improvement from year one to two. In year two, Sabonis averaged 17.6 points, 1.8 assists and 11.8 rebounds per game.
Sabonis should transition well into the NBA. He's a hard worker and has success against larger defenders. He’s only 20, and he clearly has a lot of potential.
• Big Board: Final rankings of the top 60 prospects
Strengths: Sabonis was a productive player at Gonzaga and looks like a good bet to transition well to the NBA. He plays extremely hard and has had success against larger defenders, despite an unimpressive wingspan. His motor, touch and skill level in the post led him to more college success than most predicted. He’s tough, fundamentally strong, very coordinated and has a nice genetic pedigree thanks to his Hall of Fame father. There’s plenty to like, and he just recently turned 20 years old. He’s a guy who you can quickly tell just gets how to play.
Weaknesses: He’s not an elite athlete or an especially explosive leaper, and that coupled with his wingspan, raises questions as to how much of his rebounding and interior hustle points will translate. He has defensive potential but isn’t really a shot blocker, so he’ll have to become passable in other areas to stick on the floor. You’re banking on some things translating here to justify a high selection.
Grade: B
Explanation: This pick is reportedly going to the Thunder, along with Victor Oladipo and Ersan Ilyasova, in exchange for Serge Ibaka. Oklahoma City is letting the dice fly right now. This is nuts. The Thunder will add three useful parts to their core for one here as they attempt to bring back Kevin Durant and make another deep playoff run. Oladipo fills a huge need at shooting guard. Ilyasova is a passable stretch big. Sabonis is a skilled energy big who will really benefit from stepping into a good situation and playing with experienced talent right away. Ibaka’s length was critical for OKC in the playoffs, but this all looks like solid value for a player who could really float offensively. - Jeremy Woo
