clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

NBA Draft Lottery: Orlando Leaning Towards Jabari Smith With #1 Pick?

It’s all guesswork and gamesmanship for now...but what fun!

By JD King
/ new
2022 NBA Draft Combine Circuit
 CHICAGO,IL - MAY 17: NBA Prospect, Paolo Banchero poses for a portrait during the 2022 NBA Draft Combine Circuit on May 17, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. 
Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images

The NBA Draft Lottery was held Tuesday night and Orlando walked way with the prize. But what will they do with the #1 pick?

The Orlando Sentinel thinks they’ll go for Auburn’s Jabari Smith.

It’s not clear where Oklahoma City will go but they have great choices too. Paolo Banchero would be a nice fit as would Chet Holmgren. Putting Banchero with Josh Giddings would be fascinating.

There’s a chance that either Mark Williams or AJ Griffin could conceivably rejoin Banchero in OKC as the Thunder also have the #12 pick.

CBS has Mark Williams going to Charlotte at #13.

CBS also has Wendell Moore going to Milwaukee at #24 where he might team up with Grayson Allen and certainly Giannis Antetokounmpo.

It’s not clear at this point that Trevor Keels is a first-round pick but he could be. And even if he’s not, he could be a very alluring second round pick.

We’ll get a better idea of who likes who as the draft process unfolds.

Next Up In Men's College Basketball

Loading comments...