3 Projected Landing Spots for Johnny Furphy in the 2024 NBA Draft

Johnny Furphy is one of the more intriguing prospects in the 2024 NBA Draft coming up in just over one week. He emerged as a high-ceiling player, flying in transition with strong shooting ability, standing at 6'8" with plenty of room to grow.

The standout Kansas freshman has a wide range of draft outcomes, with some talk of him approaching the top 15 picks and other analysts believing he'll be closer to the end of the first round.

There's a lot to love about Furphy's offensive game and relentless effort on the glass, though his defensive shortcomings could sour his prospects. I love his potential personally and can't wait to see where he lands. Here's a look at three projected landing spots for the 19-year-old phenom:

3 Projected Landing Spots for Johnny Furphy

1. Orlando Magic - No. 18

Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo of ESPN have the Orlando Magic taking Furphy at No. 18 overall in their latest mock draft, mentioning that he's in play for the Sacramento Kings at No. 13 as well. The Kings are the highest I've seen Furphy speculated at, and it looks like Givony and Woo believe he'll go sooner than some of the other mocks floating around in the space.

They explain, "Furphy has been a bit divisive from team to team, with some scouts highly intrigued by his shooting, size and physical skills at his age, and others concerned with his defense and the fact it might take him some time to contribute."

For a team like the Magic, with a strong core that should be competitive for years to come, Furphy's development curve could be a bonus and not a negative. Orlando doesn't need him to contribute immediately and can be patient while he works on his body and improves his defense.

"This is a situation that should bear out in the coming weeks, as Furphy schedules additional workouts with teams drafting in the first round," ESPN continues. "The Orlando Magic have generally favored tall, skilled prospects in his mold, and could take a shot on him long-term here."

Alongside Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs and the Magic's other rangy, versatile players, Furphy would be a stellar fit.