There was a time in the NBA when the territorial pick existed. This was a long, long time ago. When the league was still growing and needed the extra notoriety that would come with a local player and a familiar face to sell tickets.
Those days are long gone. Yet the pull is still there. Fans believe because a player played college nearby or grew up there must be some interest in returning home. See the Magic’s reported interest in Joakim Noah (Florida), Al Horford (Florida), Chandler Parsons (Florida, Lake Brantley), Austin Rivers (Winter Park) and Shane Larkin (Dr.