The Sixer Sense
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2018 NBA Mock Draft 9.0

By Christopher Kline

TUCSON, AZ - DECEMBER 21: Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) during the a college basketball game between Connecticut Huskies and Arizona Wildcats on December 21, 2017, at McKale Center in Tucson, AZ. Arizona leads at half over Connecticut 30-24. (Photo by Jacob Snow/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ - DECEMBER 21: Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) during the a college basketball game between Connecticut Huskies and Arizona Wildcats on December 21, 2017, at McKale Center in Tucson, AZ. Arizona leads at half over Connecticut 30-24. (Photo by Jacob Snow/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia 76ers
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 13: Michigan State Spartans forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (2) reacts after hitting a 3 point shot in the 2nd half during the Big Ten basketball game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Minnesota Golden Gophers on February 13, 2018 at Williams Arena in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

6. player. 38. . C. Michigan State. Jaren Jackson Jr.

If the Magic are fortunate enough to have Jackson fall into their laps, it’s difficult to imagine them going in a different direction. He’s the perfect modern big, switching on defense and spacing the floor on offense.

Orlando doesn’t have much in terms of long-term pieces right now, with Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon (a restricted free agent) being the only young talent worth investing in. Jackson would probably be the best prospect of the bunch, giving the Magic a potential two-way cornerstone.

Depending on how the roster shakes out, Jackson might spend his first year as Nikola Vucevic‘s understudy. As one of the youngest players in the draft, though, Orlando would have plenty of time to bring Jackson along.