Magic draft Jarred Vanderbilt with No. 41 pick, trade him to Nuggets
With the 41st pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic selected Kentucky forward Jarred Vanderbilt. They have traded him to the Denver Nuggets, sources told Yahoo's Shams Charania.
Vanderbilt was an elite high school recruit whose stock fell during an uneven, injury-marred freshman campaign with the Wildcats. He enters the draft as a raw prospect with at least one bankable high-end skill: rebounding. Though he's listed at just 6-foot-9 in shoes, Vanderbilt pulled down an incredible 25.7 percent of available rebounds (16.6 boards per 36 minutes) in his 14 college games, often beating out bigger players on the glass thanks to his effort level, second-jump bounce, and reach.
Vanderbilt also defends the perimeter, runs the floor, handles the ball, and passes well for a player his size. But he's displayed little shooting range, touch around the basket, or playmaking in the halfcourt. Throw in a propensity for fouling, a lack of top-line rim protection, and a worrisome injury history, and you have an unfinished product with a hazy NBA projection. Still, the fact that he's proven such an adept rebounder bodes well for his ability to function as a small-ball five, which will likely be his most viable role at the NBA level.
Jarred Vanderbilt bio
Position: PF, C
School: Kentucky
College Experience: Freshman
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 215 lbs
Wingspan: 7-foot-1
What the analysts are saying
- "His ability to rebound at an incredibly high rate and then lead the break could have a drastic impact on his team and its offensive efficiency. He is capable of using his height to see over and around defenders while running his team’s offense. If he is healthy, he will likely drastically outperform his draft position. However, there is significant risk in taking him due to the injury history." - Eric Yearian, NBADraft.net
- "Vanderbilt will have to battle for a spot in the rotation wherever he goes. However, if he can stay healthy, his rebounding and defensive versatility will give him a chance at playing time." - Jonathan Tjarks, The Ringer