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2018 NBA Draft Rumors: Magic 'Razor-Thin' Between Trae Young, Collin Sexton
June 19, 2018
The Orlando Magic own the No. 6 overall pick in Thursday's NBA draft, and selecting that high, they will find themselves having to choose between some of the top talent in the class.
That isn't always an easy decision.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski (h/t Blazers Edge's Sagar Trika) revealed that it is "razor-thin" between Oklahoma's Trae Young and Alabama's Collin Sexton in Orlando.
Of course, there's no guarantee that both or either player will still be on the board when the Magic go on the clock. Arizona's Deandre Ayton and Marvin Bagley III are both expected to be among the first to hear their names called, but after that, there is some uncertainty.
Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman ranks Young and Sexton as the Nos. 6 and 15 overall prospects, respectively.
Both Young and Sexton grabbed the spotlight this past season with their ability to make plays.
In 2017-18, Young became the first player in Division I history to lead the nation in scoring (27.4 points per game) and assists (8.7). He was the talk of college basketball thanks to nine games with 30-plus points, including four 40-point performances.
The 6'2", 180-pound guard was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year and was also a first-team All-American.
Sexton, meanwhile, also had himself a dandy one-and-done campaign. The 6'3", 190-pound guard averaged 19.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists as a freshman for the Crimson Tide.
After making a name for himself by averaging 24.7 points in his first six collegiate games, he solidified his status as a potential lottery pick with a brilliant postseason performance. Between the SEC tournament and the NCAA tournament, Sexton averaged 24.2 points over five contests. Alabama would be knocked out by the eventual champions, Kentucky and Villanova, in each tournament, respectively.
When comparing the two, it's a close call by the numbers. Young held a narrow edge in three-point shooting and rebounding, while Sexton was slightly better from the floor overall. The former Sooner did, however, own a healthy edge in scoring, free-throw percentage and assists.
Young was essentially asked to be a one-man show in Norman, and he managed to carry his team by playing at a high level all season. He has drawn more buzz than his counterpart, even drawing comparisons to Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry.
Should both prospects still be on the board when Orlando goes on the clock at No. 6, the team will be faced with a franchise-altering decision. Sexton could wind up being a star, but if the Magic pass on Young and the player lives up to the Curry comparisons, they could one day find themselves in the Minnesota Timberwolves' shoes.