The 2022 NBA Draft lottery has been revealed and we now know where teams will be drafting in June. The Orlando Magic won the No. 1 pick. This is the fourth time in team history that they have won the No. 1 pick. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets won the second and third picks. The biggest suspense now is who these three teams will choose. Considering that a talented player may suddenly improve the box office and even the record, the management of the three teams has begun to gear up to conduct "in-depth investigation" of the popular rookies. A successful choice can completely lift the team out of the bottom spot, and a wrong choice can also destroy the team.
3. Houston Rockets - Paul Banchero, Duke Blue Devils
Paul Banchero has long been one of the most respected players in basketball, and now he's one step closer to realizing his NBA dream. He appears to be the third pick behind the two players ahead of him, so Banchero will likely join Jaylen Green 's Houston Rockets. Banchero is a 6-foot-10 forward with excellent defensive skills. At the same time he is a third-level scorer with good offense and long-range shooting ability, which really doesn't get better. Despite this, Banchero came in third place on Rockets .
2. Oklahoma City Thunder - Jabari Smith of Auburn Tigers
The last time the OKC Thunder had the second choice, they drafted a 6-foot-10 forward with such a high shooting skill , few had seen it before. The player they signed was Kevin Durant and it looks like 15 years later they might get another one like that. Despite his size, Jabari Smith may be the best shooter in this draft, and his proficiency is undisputed. He's not just an elite defender coming into the league, but with his skill set, he has the potential to be an all-defensive player. Playing alongside guards like Shai Gilgeous Alexander and Josh Giddey will give Smith a huge boost. If the Thunder can spark him, their last-place habits could start to change next season.
1. Orlando Magic - Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga Bulldogs
The No. 1 pick is obviously Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren. Holmgren is a true unicorn with incredible size and scoring ability. Chet is another player with a similar skill level as KD, as he is 7 feet tall, has a very slender frame and can shoot off the ball. His defense is arguably better than his offense, and his massive wingspan makes him a rim protector.
The only question for Holmgren is his offensive consistency and whether he can build a strong lower body strength once the game starts to compete with NBA centers in the backcourt? We've seen that big guys who don't get into position can lose a lot of value very quickly, even if they are great shooters. But Holmgren is a special talent, and Orlando must try to pair it with his old high school teammate and close friend Jalen Suggs. This pick could put the Magic back into playoff contention in the Eastern Conference.
