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As the Orlando Magic gear up for the NBA draft, speculation is swirling about who they might take. Most recently, the Magic have been linked to Arizona forward Carter Bryant. In a new mock draft, Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman projected Orlando taking the 19-year-old with the 16th pick.
"Despite Carter Bryant's limited role, production and creation, there will be first-round interest in an athletic, 6'8" wing with clear shotmaking ability and defensive quickness/tools," Wasserman wrote.
"Teams may have to use their imaginations to picture serious upside, but Bryant has an NBA foundation and coveted archetype," he added.
A former McDonald's All-American and top-20 recruit, Bryant averaged 6.5 points and 4.1 rebounds with one block in 37 games for the Wildcats. He also converted on 37.1 percent of his 3-point attempts, a promising attribute for Orlando, which is desperate for consistent perimeter shooting.
Listed at 6-foot-6.5 barefoot and weighing 214.8 pounds, Bryant also recorded a nearly seven-foot wingspan at the NBA Draft combine on Monday. Bryant's measurements indicate a strong build that will translate well to the NBA.
Arizona’s Carter Bryant’s official measurements from the NBA Draft Combine:
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 12, 2025
6’6 ½ barefoot, 214.8 lbs with a 6’11 ¾" wingspan and 8’10” standing reach pic.twitter.com/wHJtB4S996
Bryant's athleticism was also displayed during the combine, as he recorded one of the highest vertical leaps at 39.5 inches.
39 1/2 inch max vertical leap for Arizona's Carter Bryant at the NBA draft combine, best jump so far early on. pic.twitter.com/C4WGqZ55q1
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 13, 2025
The Magic's roster is plentiful at the forward position, especially from a youth standpoint, with Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Tristan da Silva and others. Moreover, Orlando may use its first-round picks to acquire a proven veteran in a trade to help the team contend now. If the organization does take a chance on Bryant, it's getting a player who fits the mold.
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TODAY'S BEST
NBA Legend Larry Bird Made His Feelings Clear About Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant is one of the best players in NBA history. At 36, the new Houston Rockets star is coming off a year where he averaged an outstanding 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 blocks per contest while shooting 52.7% from the field and 43.0% from the three-point range in 62 games. Last year, Boston Celtics legend (and Basketball Hall of Famer) Larry Bird spoke about Durant in an interview with NBA on TNT. Bird: "I thought KD would possibly win the scoring title, if he's healthy, when he first came in, six or seven years in a row... He's so smooth on the offensive end. Very talented player. I always wanted to see him do well." Considering Bird is a top-ten player of all time, fans should enjoy hearing him speak about Durant. The 2014 MVP has faced a lot of criticism during his career, but he is unquestionably on track to finish as one of the best 15-20 players of all time. Via NBA History (on April 14): "On this day 15 years ago... Kevin Durant became the youngest player to win the regular season scoring title (30.1 PPG) at the age of 21!" As for Bird, he spent all 13 seasons of his career playing for the Celtics. He helped lead the franchise to three NBA Championships (and won three straight MVPs from 1984-86). Via ThrowbackHoops: "Larry Bird dropped 60 PTS on the Hawks! (1985) 60 PTS 7 REB 61% FG (22/36) 94% FT (15/16)"
‘In What World Does This Make Sense?????’: Oilers and $63M Forward
According to some, throw out the idea that the Edmonton Oilers should pursue Max Pacioretty. A veteran forward who has earned over $63 million over the course of his NHL career has yet to sign an NHL contract and was recently mentioned in a post by David Staples as a possible fit. In a recent post, the Journal noted, “All of the top NHL unrestricted free agents have already signed contracts, but there’s one big name player still available that makes good sense for the Edmonton Oilers to pursue.” Responses have been varied, with a few quite vocal about the Oilers not following Staples’ advice. “In what world does this make sense?????” writes a commenter on a recent post for The Hockey Writers. Another commenter wrote, “Pacioretty is a good journeyman player but he is injury prone now, late in his career. Oilers might be lucky to get 40 games out of him. They should look elsewhere instead of taking a chance on Patches.” Tyler Yaremchuk of Oilers Nation chimed in and said, “He scored five goals in 37 games last year with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Can’t stay healthy, very old, very slow.” Yaremchuk then went on a rant, listing several Oilers forwards who would be better than Pacioretty. What About Pacioretty on a PTO? Is there any reason that a team that is looking to get younger and faster, and move out depth pieces that were older and less productive than expected, would revert back to last summer’s strategy? It seems like an odd choice on the surface. Something would have to happen that would make giving Pacioretty a look risk-free. That means only a PTO. Even at that point, should he agree, it would require him to be willing to sign a two-way contract for the league minimum.
ESPN Predicts Mets-Twins Trade One Week Before Deadline
The New York Mets are a half-game ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the NL East, but their pitching staff is still injury-ravaged despite the recent returns of Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas. Brandon Waddell (hip), Dedniel Nuñez (elbow), Max Kranick (flexor), Paul Blackburn (shoulder), Tylor Megill (elbow), Griffin Canning (Achilles), Drew Smith (elbow), A.J. Minter (lat), Danny Young (elbow), and Christian Scott (elbow) are alll on the Mets' IL. The MLB Trade Deadline is July 31 at 6 p.m. EST, so the front office has one week to add healthy arms from around the league this season. ESPN's David Schoenfield predicted on Thursday that New York would trade for a Minnesota Twins reliever. "One guarantee of the trade deadline: The Mets will add to the bullpen, probably with more than one trade. Though the rotation still ranks fifth in ERA, that was built off a hot start," he wrote. "More importantly, the only Mets starter to complete six innings since June 7 has been David Peterson. As a result, manager Carlos Mendoza has run relievers Reed Garrett, Huascar Brazoban, Jose Butto and Ryne Stanek into the ground. The bullpen had a 2.78 ERA through May, but that figure is over 5.00 since the beginning of June (ranking near the bottom of the majors)." "The Twins have two high-profile relievers in [Jhoan] Duran and [Griffin] Jax, both of whom are under team control through 2027, so they'll be much more expensive than your usual short-term relievers if the Twins decide to trade one or both," he continued. "Duran would be harder to deal -- but bring more in return -- so we'll say Jax will go. Don't be fooled by his 4.09 ERA: He has 68 strikeouts and 12 walks in 44 innings with a 97-mph heater. He's an elite strikeout reliever, the type you want on the mound in October." The Mets are hot despite their injuries, as they're on a four-game winning streak and just swept the Los Angeles Angels. Next up is a road trip against the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres. New York right-handed pitcher Clay Holmes (8-5, 3.48 ERA) will face Giants right-hander Logan Webb (9-7, 3.08 ERA) on Friday.
Raiders Pushed to Sign Ex-Cowboy, Pro Bowler as Christian Wilkins Replacement
Training camp has started for the Las Vegas Raiders, and Christian Wilkins still isn't on the practice field. He hurt his foot in Week 5 of last season and continues to be in recovery. Head coach Pete Carroll didn't exactly instill confidence when he revealed that there's still no timeline for his return. “It’s still uncertain,” Carroll said during his Tuesday press conference. “We sort of have to wait it out.” Wilkins appears to be out of the boot, so that's a good sign, but there's been no clarity on when he might be able to get back on the field. With that in mind, the Raiders might want to consider adding more defensive line help. Linval Joseph Could Be Fit for Raiders At this stage of the offseason, there aren't going to be great options in free agency, but the Raiders could find a dependable veteran. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report believes Las Vegas should target free agent defensive tackle Linval Joseph. "Joseph finished his 2024 campaign with two sacks, two tackles for loss and 19 total tackles," Knox wrote. "He'd be a solid addition for any team needing depth along the defensive interior, and there are a couple. "The Las Vegas Raiders may need another defensive tackle, as Christian Wilkins still hasn't fully recovered from last year's second-ending foot injury." Joseph spent last season with the Dallas Cowboys and had 2.0 sacks. He's 36 now, but was able to play in all 17 games in 2024. He also went to back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2016 and 2017 when he was with the Minnesota Vikings.
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