The Orlando Magic Would Take Jabari Parker With The #1 Pick

(Associated Press)

ESPN's Andy Katz reported Wednesday that if the Magic make a trade with Cleveland for the number 1 overall pick in Thursday's NBA Draft, they would be doing so to take Duke SF/PF Jabari Parker. 

Reports surfaced yesterday that Orlando has offered the the Cavaliers both the 4th and 12th pick in this year's draft along with Aaron Aflallo for the top pick.

The trade makes sense for both team. The Magic are desperate for a franchise payer. Cleveland is looking to make their roster attractive for a free agency run at LeBron James. Aflallo would upgrade them immediately at shooting guard still leave them with the flexibility to either take whoever is left between Embiid and Exum, or take one of the power forward's projected at the top of the draft.

The 4th player drafted is also lower on the rookie salary scale. The Cavs would save $2.41 Million in cap room over the next 2 seasons. If they're going to make a serious run at luring King James back to Cleveland, every dollar of flexibility helps.

This week is full of misinformation. Who knows if the Magic really prefer Parker over Andrew Wiggins and Dante Exum. Or whether or not Cleveland is even serious about trading the top pick. Either way, this is going to be a crazy 24 hours.