When the Orlando Magic selected Paolo Banchero with the no. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, it came as a little bit of shock for the former Duke standout. Not only did the reports say he's going no. 3, but he also didn't work out with the franchise prior to the selection.
However, according to former NBA player Mike Miller, who serves as Banchero's agent, the reason they didn't have a workout with the Magic was because they were comfortable with where they're at and believed they “were in a good spot” no matter what.
Banchero is projected to be selected in the top three anyway, and Miller felt they have shown enough to teams to end up anywhere in the highest selections.
"We felt like we were in a good spot"
Former NBA Shooting Guard & Paolo Banchero agent, @MikeMiller_13, explains to @TermineRadio & @LegsESPN why he didn't work out for the Magic prior to the draft@OrlandoMagic | #NBA2K23SummerLeague pic.twitter.com/KEODdDXn5G
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) July 16, 2022
Paolo Banchero himself admitted that he did not expect to go no. 1. He was so sure he's going to the Houston Rockets at no. 3 since that was what the media were reporting heading to the 2022 NBA Draft. It was only a few days before the rookie selection when it's revealed that there is a real possibility the Magic would take him.
“Just all the stuff that was being put out there was that I was going No. 3 to Houston,” Banchero said. “That’s kind of where my mind was at, and I was fine with it. I was going to be happy wherever I ended up because I knew at the end of the day I would be fine. But in Houston, I would say that’s where my head was at that time.”
Despite the shocking twists, though, Banchero has every reason to be ecstatic playing for the Magic. He figures to have a big role right from the star, which should only bode well for his development. As a rookie with tons of potential, he couldn't ask for a better situation than what he has now.
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