There were a few winners during the 2022 NBA Draft Lottery, but none were bigger than the Orlando Magic. They are now officially on the clock, as they jumped up the board and will be selecting No. 1 overall.
There is still about a month until the draft so a lot can change between now and then, but there are three players that seem to be emerging above the rest of the prospects.
Jabari Smith Jr. out of Auburn, Chet Holmgren out of Gonzaga, and Paolo Banchero out of Duke. There is some speculation that Jaden Ivey is No. 1 or 2 on some team’s draft boards as well.
Out of that group, there is a hierarchy seemingly developing as well. Depending on which NBA insider’s work you read, it sounds as if Smith or Holmgren will be the top pick in the draft.
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Many analysts believe that Smith will be the pick. One of those people is Jonathan Givony, who is reporting that it is an expected formality that Orlando selects the versatile Auburn forward first overall on June 23rd.
“While Magic executives have made it clear they will conduct a thorough process — even extending beyond the widely believed top three prospects in Smith, Holmgren, and Paolo Banchero — most NBA teams firmly believe that’s a formality and that Smith is all but assured to become the top pick. Smith, for his part, appears thrilled with that development.”
There is a strong argument that can be made for Smith to be the first pick. He has an NBA-ready body and style of play. With a need on the wing, Smith makes a lot of sense in Orlando as a long-term fit.
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But, there is just as strong of a case that can be made for Chet Holmgren to be the first pick. John Hollinger of The Athletic is one of the insiders who believe that Holmgren will ultimately hear his name called first.
“Orlando winning the lottery could throw a monkey wrench on draft night. While most draft analysts have Jabari Smith Jr. rated as the top prospect, John Hollinger Spies think the Magic are leaning toward selecting Chet Holmgren. Of course, that would play to their type. This front office’s track record reveals an obsession with length, so one can easily connect the dots there.”
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Chet Holmgren played high school basketball with Jalen Suggs, who the Orlando Magic selected fifth overall in the 2021 NBA Draft. They also both played collegiately at Gonzaga and Holmgren fits the profile of the type of player that the Magic normally target.
No matter which player Orlando picks, they are going to be getting an excellent prospect to add to their young core.
