2022 Draft NBA Live Updates, Scores: Tracker, System, Scores, Deals Like Magic Takes Paolo Banchero #1

There aren’t usually many surprises in the NBA draft in this day and age, but Thursday night started with big surprises as the Orlando Magic picked Duke forward Paulo Banchero with the No. 1 overall pick. For weeks, the expectation was that they would knock out Jabari Smith of Auburn, and still is. It’s unclear if it was all an elaborate smoke curtain or they just 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 draft could be complete without the Sacramento Kings doing something outside the box, and they took Keegan Murray in fourth despite all the 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 Ivy for fifth. Having secured Cade Cunningham with the first pick last year, they now have the makings of a conservative, young, gorgeous background.

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