2022 NBA Draft Results, Takeaway: Magic Tricks Experts by Taking Paolo Banchero at No. 1, blow up chaos

Usually there aren’t many surprises in the NBA draft in this day and age, but Thursday night started with big surprises as Orlando Magic picked Duke forward Paulo Panchero with a number. 1 comprehensive selection. For weeks, the expectation was that they would knock out Jabari Smith from Auburn, and it remains unclear if it was all an elaborate smokescreen or they changed their minds at the last minute.

The Magic is said to have never hosted Banchero for a formal training or interview in Orlando, which suggests it might be his last.

Anyway, the Oklahoma City Thunder knocked out big man Chet Holmgren from Gonzaga as expected, while the Houston Rockets went with Smith to take out the top three. It’s possible The Rockets are planning a Panchero, but Smith should still fit in well as a sharp forward forward to pair with Galen Green.

Of course, no project could be complete without the Sacramento Kings doing something out of the box, and they took Keegan Murray with a number. A #4 pick overall despite almost all speculation that Purdue’s Jaden Ivey was clearly the fourth-best player. Maybe they really believe in Murray, or maybe they were wary of taking a guard with their first pick for the third year in a row.

Either way, it worked out for the Detroit Pistons, who were happy to take Ivey into No. 5. Having secured Cade Cunningham with the first pick last year, they now have the makings of an impressive young back stop.

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2022 NBA Draft Orders

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