Orlando Magic Daily 2022 NBA Draft Big Board 1.0: Before the Madness

Orlando Magic 2022 NBA Draft Big Board

The rest of the best

The way this NBA Draft has shaken out, it looks like there is a clear four players who have separated themselves from the rest of the group. Opinions on those four will vary and it appears that most consider Jabari Smith and Chet Holmgren to be the best two in the draft.

But there is a clear four. And the teams that do end up winning the NBA Draft Lottery are going to feel very good about the potential of the players they are picking.

NCAA Tournament First Round: vs. Georgia State (Thurs., 4:15 p.m.)

Chet Holmgren has been a fascination for NBA scouts for a long time. And it is hard to miss him.

Holmgren is a 7-footer who plays like a guard but still maintains the shot-blocking and rim protection that comes with a center. It is astounding to watch — especially in a league where centers are making a comeback with Nikola Jokic winning MVP last year and in line to compete for this year’s award against Joel Embiid.

Holmgren averaged 14.2 points per game and 9.6 rebounds per game for the Gonzaga juggernaut this season. He added 3.6 blocks per game. And did this while shooting 41.2-percent from beyond the arc and 75.3-percent from the foul line.

Holmgren is a fascinating prospect for sure for that combination of size and inside-outside game. He is the crystallization of all the unicorn talk that got slapped on every semi-mobile big man in the early late-2010s.

Of course, there is the big warning sign that is going to be the debate of the draft. Holmgren is listed at only 190 pounds and he barely looks it. There is the concern of how he will match up with bigger and stronger players in the league. Not to mention, Holmgren essentially plays power forward next to Drew Timme.

Gonzaga does a good job hiding its players’ weaknesses with those big lineups. So Holmgren will enter with some of those positional questions and where he fits best. The Magic have been spending all season testing Wendell Carter alongside another lanky, shooting big man.

The difference between Chet Holmgren and Mo Bamba, however, is Holmgren is not afraid of contact. That is at least a start. But it does not quiet any of the team’s doubts about him.

Holmgren though has the highest ceiling. He could well be a once-in-a-generation player if all the pieces fit for him.

NCAA Tournament First Round: vs. Cal State Fullerton (Fri., 7:10 p.m.)

The Orlando Magic are short on players who simply can create their own shot. They need someone who can isolate and get a good shot when the clock ticks down. They need someone who knows how to manipulate space with his dribble and get a clean shot.

This skill is part of why Cole Anthony is still the one closing games, even if he is inefficient as an isolation scorer. And this is the biggest attractor for Paolo Banchero.

The Duke forward averaged 17.0 points per game and 7.8 rebounds per game. He was scoring at a good clip until a slowdown late in the season. But Banchero has all the tools to be a solid scorer.

The first thing that stands out is his fluidity for his size. He is 6-foot-10 and 250 pounds. He stands out on the college floor. Yet, he is the one who is scoring off the dribble and like a guard.

The concern with Banchero is his poor shooting. He made only 30.6-percent of his 3-pointers and 72.9-percent of his free throws. That suggests his outside shooting will not translate to the NBA and does not have a ton of room to grow. At least as he is currently constructed.

Banchero is a scorer for sure. And a good one at his size. But he may be limited to inside the 3-point line and may need good spacing to take full advantage of his size and talent.