Five Thirty-Eight Model says Karl-Anthony Towns, Justise Winslow will be best pros

Five Thirty-Eight Model says Karl-Anthony Towns, Justise Winslow will be best pros by Philip Rossman-Reich

Orlando Magic fans still gun shy from Fran Vazquez spurning them a decade ago should have their fears allayed. Kristaps Porzingis is coming to the NBA next year.

The ghost remains.

Whenever the Magic are whispered as attached to a foreign draft pick, the ghost shows up like a gnat. Even at this late stage of the Draft process, with the player already having visited Orlando and all the dots seemingly pointing a certain way, fans cannot shake Fran Vazquez and everything he means or did not mean to the franchise.

So put it to rest everyone.

Kristaps Porzingis is coming to the NBA. He is not Fran Vazquez.

Don’t believe me? Let him tell Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel:

“That is my dream: to play in the NBA,” Porzingis told the Orlando Sentinel during a phone interview last weekend. “Hopefully, it can happen in the next season. I will be available [to play], for sure. From my side, there’s no problem. I would love to play in the NBA next season.”

Does that not settle you? Maybe this statement from Sevilla assistant coach Audie Norris:

“I know Fran personally,” Norris added. “[He’s] a great kid, but Fran just never wanted to be in the NBA. Kris is totally the opposite. Totally the opposite. He wants to be there [in the U.S.] and he wants to be a great player, and he knows the only way that can happen is to be there in the best league in the world.”

Does that silence the ghosts some?

The Vazquez situation certainly scarred some Magic fans. Anyone who did not play college ball seems to have that scarlet letter attached to them from the beginning.

That concern does not exist with Porzingis. He dreamed of begin a NBA player and has put in the work to do so. It is clear what his objectives are.

It is also clear what his skills are and where he needs to improve. That is something that goes for everyone in the Draft.

Most people suspect the Magic are very high on Porzingis and will not let him slip past them. Porzingis was in town earlier this week and reportedly extended his visit.

Sources: Kristaps Porzingis remains in Orlando for a second consecutive day while meeting with the Magic. He won't have a workout. #NBADraft — Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 19, 2015

The signs seem to point toward the two coming together.

Fans still unsure of Porzingis or any of the other foreign prospects probably need to get over the Vazquez ghost. That pick from nearly a decade ago continues to haunt just like the past failures of international prospects seem to be haunting Porzingis and Mario Hezonja.

The Magic have done plenty of homework on Porzingis by all reports. They would not be prepared to invest in him if they were not sure he was prepared to be in a Magic uniform next season.

The Fran Vazquez ghost though will not seem to go away. Not until someone busts it.