Eleventh Hour NBA Draft Shakeup? Here's What Insider Predicts

Will the Magic shock the world with the first pick?

Jeremy Brener | Jun 22, 2022

Eleventh Hour NBA Draft Shakeup? Here's What Insider Predicts /

ORLANDO - It's been nine years since the NBA world has been surprised at the No. 1 pick announcement in the draft when the Cleveland Cavaliers selected Anthony Bennett over Victor Oladipo and Nerlens Noel.

According to ESPN, that drought will continue Thursday night when the Orlando Magic is on the clock making the first selection. Since the draft lottery a month ago, Jabari Smith has been the projected pick for the Magic, and it appears that it will stay that way.

"It would be a surprise if Jabari Smith doesn't go to Orlando, Chet Holmgren to Oklahoma City and Paolo Banchero to Houston," ESPN's Tim MacMahon said during The Hoop Collective podcast.

Even though betting odds have shrunk for Smith becoming the top pick in favor of Duke's Paolo Banchero in the past few days, the 6-10 forward from Auburn is still the favorite to be the top pick.

Smith has been the only top prospect to host a media availability session with the Magic so far.

The Magic have kept its cards very close to the chest, a common practice for a team holding the top pick. By not revealing much, the Magic are in full control to set the tone for the draft. By creating chaos with the top pick, it could trickle down towards other teams and affect their plans.

However, according to ESPN, there won't be much drama with the first pick. By taking Smith, the Magic is taking who it believes to be the best player on the board and someone who can become a foundational piece to the rebuilding process.

Published Jun 22, 2022

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.