NBA draft 2022
The Orlando Magic picked Duke forward Paolo Banchero as the first overall choice in the 2022 NBA Draft. Since that Banchero rarely met with the Magic and the league’s general impression would be that Auburn’s Jabari Smith Jr. would be relocating to Orlando, the report comes as a bit of a shock.
Banchero, meanwhile, was the first to hear his name called. The Houston Rockets selected Smith with the overall draft pick, while the Oklahoma City Thunder selected Gonzaga centre Chet Holmgren with the second overall pick. At No. 4, the Sacramento Kings selected Iowa big Keegan Murray, and the Detroit Pistons selected Purdue guard Jaden Ivey to complete the top five.
Banchero, unfortunately, was also the first to hear him clearly define. The Houston Rockets selected Smith with the third overall pick, while the Oklahoma City Thunder selected Gonzaga centre Chet Holmgren with the second overall pick. At No. 4, the Sacramento Kings selected Iowa big Keegan Murray, and the Detroit Pistons selected Purdue guard Jaden Ivey to complete the top five.
The major draught night revelations are broken down by our NBA Insiders, including who of the top three choices will have the best rookie year. What about the significant transactions that occurred on Thursday?
Days before selecting Smith and Ivey, the Rockets and Pistons started making moves. For the No. 26 selection and four players with expiring contracts, the Rockets dealt centre Christian Wood to the Dallas Mavericks. The Portland Trail Blazers received the forward Jerami Grant from the Pistons in exchange for the 36th overall pick and other future draught picks.
Through draught night, both the Pistons and Rockets made further trades as the transactions kept coming in. In one of the most significant transactions of the evening, Detroit obtained the No. 13 overall selection of the Charlotte Hornets, Jalen Duren, in a three-way trade that also involved the New York Knicks, who transferred point guard Kemba Walker to Detroit.
The guard De’Anthony Melton was acquired by the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for swingman Danny Green and the No. 23 overall selection from the Memphis Grizzlies.
Which transaction made before the draught or on draught night will have the largest impact? Which of the top three choices has the highest chance of succeeding right away in the upcoming season? Which teams have poor draught night performances? After a night in which 58 players heard their names called, our experts address the most pressing issues and provide their audacious predictions.
1. Which of the top three choices has the highest chance of succeeding right away as a rookie?
Kevin Pelton: Smith’s preparedness and fit go well together. With Jalen Green serving as a go-to player, Houston won’t need to rely as heavily on Banchero to provide a lot of offense for a struggling Orlando club. Smith’s efficiency will also increase as a result of the Rockets pushing his long 2-pointers off the dribble over the 3-point line.
With Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. surrounding him in the frontcourt, Banchero fits in well in Orlando, according to Andrew Lopez. The 6-foot-10 Banchero can play power forward and utilize his offensive talents, which unexpectedly landed him the No. 1 choice. Banchero and Ben Simmons are the only rookies to have 600 points, 300 rebounds, and 100 assists in a single season over the previous 30 Division I seasons, according to ESPN Stats & Information (LSU). Banchero ought to blend in well with Orlando’s youthful core.
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Tim Bontemps: Although all three of the draught selections have a possibility to be excellent players, Banchero is poised to be the overwhelming favorite to win NBA Rookie of the Year. He joins an Orlando club that is in dire need of scoring and was already perhaps the most NBA-ready player in his class. He should always be in possession of the ball, and if he stays healthy, he will almost certainly put up enormous statistics.
Jeff Borzello: Banchero is still my recommendation even after learning that he would be selected first overall by Orlando, as opposed to going third as initially projected.
He joins an Orlando team that desperately needs a scorer and was perhaps the most NBA-ready player in his grade before joining. If he stays healthy, he should always get the ball and will almost surely rack up impressive stats.
Jeff Borzello: Banchero remains my top pick even after discovering that Orlando will take him first overall rather than third as predicted. Banchero, and it has nothing to do with where he was picked, according to Israel Gutierrez. It’s because he is currently best equipped to defend his position, which ought to keep him on the floor long enough to post impressive stats.
