Adam Silver surprised a lot of people during the Draft when he announced Chuma Okeke in the 16th pick, while he was expected at the end of the first round for the most optimistic. We were therefore necessarily curious to see if it was worth such a place in the Draft, but we will have to wait since he will spend the entire season in the infirmary.
An original name, a face unknown to all basketball fans who do not watch all NCAA games, in short there was something to be surprised when we heard “Chuma Okeke” come out of Adam Silver’s mouth from the start. 16th choice of the last Draft. The surprise is at the origin of the Magic, who bet on the winger victim of a rupture of the cruciate ligaments during March Madness. If he was not expected so high, Okeke had however shown beautiful things on the side of the Auburn Tigers, accumulating some 12 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.. The forward has everything of a modern winger: athletic, mobile, fairly complete, good shooter (over 38% since the parking lot last season). But he doesn’t seem to excel anywhere, and with a big injury bonus, it looks a lot like a risky choice this high up in the Draft. But the Magic board must have confidence in him, and does not want to take any risks since Shams Charania of The Athletic is already reporting that he will skip next season.
Sources: The Orlando Magic plan to redshirt No. 16 overall pick Chuma Okeke this season. Creative move by both sides allows Okeke to focus on ACL rehab while still being in team’s long-term plans and receiving salary of 16th pick.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 23, 2019
In line with its management of Markelle Fultz or Mo Bamba, the Magic wants to take his time concerning his young people. Coach Steve Clifford already has a few people on the wings, so there is no question of rushing the return of a guy who will only have limited playing time. And according to Shams, Chuma Okeke’s contract case is quite innovative: he will have a contract with the G League team in Orlando this season and will not sign his rookie contract with the Magic until next season.. An agreement that has advantages on both sides: for the player, he will receive a more substantial rookie contract since it will be aligned with the salaries of future rookie contracts, which will have increased in 2020 compared to those of this year with the increase in the salary cap. And on the franchise side, it will ultimately allow more guarantees when it comes to considering extending Okeke, since he should start his contract when he is fully recovered.
By putting aside his rookie season, Chuma Okeke joins the club of Blake Griffin, Joel Embiid or Ben Simmons. But these three still had a lot more hype when they were selected for the Draft, and we wish Okeke one day to reach the level of these three All-Stars.
Source Texte : The Athletic
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