Orlando Picks Banchero First Overall to Shake up Draft Boards
The NBA draft took place last night, as 60 youngsters found out where their new home was going to be. The biggest buzz came at the top of the draft, as the projected order of the top three picks had been constantly changing leading up to draft night. Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, and Jabari Smith Jr. headed into the draft in a tier above everyone else, as they were billed as the cant-miss prospects. Despite being head and shoulders above the rest of the class, there wasn't much separation between the three, as experts had trouble deciding who was deserving of the number one pick. As the draft got closer, it was expected that either Holmgren or Smith Jr. was going to be the top pick, as Banchero was seen slightly below the other two. To the surprise of everybody, the Orlando Magic ended up taking Paolo Banchero with the top overall selection over Chet and Jabari.
The Most NBA-Ready Player in the Draft
While Paolo Banchero may not have the same upside as Holmgren or Smith Jr., he has the perfect frame for the modern wing (6'10", 250 LBS), and is a proven scorer from all three levels of the floor. With the league currently dominated by skilled shot creators with size (Ie: Jayson Tatum, Luka Doncic), players of Banchero's archetype are in high demand. Time will tell when it comes to seeing who the best player of the top three ends up being, but the Magic decided to take the player who is ready to make an immediate impact.
Lottery Pick Results
1. Orlando Magic: Paolo Banchero (Duke)
2. Oklahoma City Thunder: Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga)
3. Houston Rockets: Jabari Smith Jr. (Auburn)
4. Sacramento Kings: Keegan Murray (Iowa)
5. Detroit Pistons: Jaden Ivy (Purdue)
6. Indiana Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin (Arizona)
7. Portland Trail Blazers: Shaedon Sharpe (Kentucky)
8. New Orleans Pelicans: Dyson Daniels (G League Ignite)
9. San Antonio Spurs: Jeremy Sochan (Baylor)
10. Washington Wizards: Johnny Davis (Wisconsin)
11. Oklahoma City Thunder (Via NYK): Ousmane Dieng (New Zealand)
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jalen Williams (Santa Clara)
13. Detroit Pistons (Via Charlotte): Jalen Duren (Memphis)
14. Cleveland Cavaliers: Ochai Agbaji (Kansas)
You can check out these top prospects in action when the NBA Summer League tips off on July 7th.
Additional Storylines
Yahoo: 'It was up in the air' - Top Pick Paolo Banchero Surprised by Orlando Magic Selection
BR: Grading Every Pick in the 2022 NBA Draft
