The 2022 NBA Draft is underway and we already know where the top three prospects will be going. In the lead-up to the draft, everyone knew that Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, and Jabari Smith Jr. would be the first three picks, but we didn’t know which team would be the one to select them.
Paolo Banchero came out of left field to go No. 1 overall to the Orlando Magic, despite never having even worked out with them. Chet Holmgren went to the most ideal option for him, as he joins the young core in Oklahoma City. Jabari Smith Jr. was the last remaining player, and the Houston Rockets were more than happy to draft him.
But how are people around the league and fans looking at these picks? Is the optimism around their league-changing talent still growing now that everyone knows the teams and situations they will be joining?
Paolo Banchero is the son of WNBA star Rhonda Smith.
He’s won state titles in basketball and football.
He was a consensus 5-star, ACC ROTY at Duke, and the first active college player featured on NBA 2K.
At 19, he believes he’s the best player in the draft.
The Magic agree. pic.twitter.com/aJfr4rSwbr
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 24, 2022
When Jabari Smith found out Paolo Banchero going #1 to the Magic pic.twitter.com/B1Ks4UOPvG
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) June 24, 2022
Orlando ultimately elected to select Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 pick, giving the Magic a 6-foot-10, shot-creating dynamo who should be able carry a significant offensive load early in his career with his ability to handle, pass and shoot. My early ROY favorite. pic.twitter.com/IH4fOezWX7
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 24, 2022
NUMBER 1 PICK! IRISH IN THE NBA! 🏀👏☘️
From the walls of Phil Lumpkin Court to Duke to the Sunshine State & the Magic! A huge O’Dea congratulations to @Pp_doesit ‘21 on being drafted by the @OrlandoMagic as the 1ST OVERALL PICK in the 2022 @NBA draft!#NBADraft2022 pic.twitter.com/zr5CIfQVZb
— O'Dea Athletics ☘️ (@ODeaAthletics) June 24, 2022
“I love this pick. I absolutely love this pick.” — @talkhoops
What do you make of the Magic taking Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 pick in the 2022 #NBADraft? pic.twitter.com/D9DbDkSyEM
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) June 24, 2022
Paolo Banchero’s agent Mike Miller was once the 5th overall pick by…the Orlando Magic. We should’ve known! #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/mQuMvhZiAj
— WHISTLE UNCUT (@WhistleUncut) June 24, 2022
SHAI
GIDDEY
DORT
CHET
THIS IS FUN. pic.twitter.com/Nzywa7SXqp
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 24, 2022
SHAI x GIDDEY x DORT x CHET
And like 20+ picks over the next 5 years
Future is bright. 🔥🔥🔥🔥
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) June 24, 2022
Chet Holmgren, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, & Josh Giddey is just a select few of the young stars on OKC but I’m loving what they’re building
— Grace (@gracesportakes) June 24, 2022
Chet and Shai for the next decade pic.twitter.com/1oJcl5IKLk
— Derek Kudjer (@koojababy) June 24, 2022
Oklahoma City Thunder drafts Chet Holmgren at #2.
The best prospect in the draft joins SGA and Josh Giddey.
What a start to a rebuild.
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) June 24, 2022
Chet Holmgren will be the third NBA player who is 7 feet and sub-200 pounds
One of the other 3 is already on the Oklahoma City Thunder
POKU AND CHET
THE TWIN TWIGS pic.twitter.com/rX9GmVDnqu
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) June 24, 2022
The Rockets just said, "Thank you, Orlando. Much appreciated, Thunder." And happily let Jabari Smith fall into their laps.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) June 24, 2022
Rockets had a simple plan with the No. 3 pick: Take the last of the three top-tier players left on the board. It was expected to be Paolo Banchero. It ended up being Jabari Smith Jr., whose shooting and defensive versatility should pair well with Jalen Green.
— Tim MacMahon (@BannedMacMahon) June 24, 2022
JABARI SMITH IS A HOUSTON ROCKET. pic.twitter.com/25rPvga6OQ
— jayden (@houjayden) June 24, 2022
We just got the #1 prospect in the draft at 3 !?!!!?! And people are upset ?? Welcome to Houston Jabari ! @jabarismithjr pic.twitter.com/nPYblMkSrQ
— Charlie Leonard (@StanRockets) June 24, 2022
The Rockets are getting a legit 6'10 hard-working, no-nonsense two-way player with an incredible drive to win. I feel like the Rockets got the #1 pick. Houston's basketball culture will be led by Jabari Smith Jr.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) June 24, 2022
Jabari Smith receiving high praise from @AuburnMBB assistant coach Ira Bowman who tells @BallySports on Rockets drafting him: “So happy for the kid & his family! I feel bad for the Magic. Nobody values winning more than Jabari. The Rockets just made the playoffs!” https://t.co/HTQTTBiaQ2
— 👑 Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) June 24, 2022
1. I'm bummed to not get Paolo Banchero in Houston
2. Jabari Smith is who I initially wanted and the #Rockets desperately need shooting and wing defense so I'm excited regardless
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) June 24, 2022
Lmao Sacramento folded that’s awesome
— r/Mavericks (@redditmavericks) June 24, 2022
The draft has continued to see top talent go off the boards. The 4th pick saw Sacramento Kings pass on Jaden Ivey for Keegan Murray, a talented forward coming out of Iowa. Detroit pounced on drafting Ivey and now has a backcourt of Cade Cunningham and Ivey, with the possibility of Deandre Ayton signing with the team in free agency.
Paolo will fit like a glove next to Franz Wagner in the Orlando frontcourt with Wendell Carter Jr. as their center. Chet is getting two dynamic guards in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey setting him up, with versatile defender Lu Dort on the wing. Jabari Smith Jr. gives Houston a fantastic scoring duo with him and Jalen Green, alongside other players like Kevin Porter Jr., Alperen Sengun, and others.
Hopefully, these players live up to their potential and these bottom-feeder teams can fight to make it out of the lottery this season itself.
