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The Orlando Magic have the third-worst record in the NBA and are looking at a likely top-five pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. As a team with several quality pieces but no blue chip superstar, the team needs to get this pick right and draft a future star. The Magic can draft a player at any position, but they should be looking toward the frontcourt, as most of their talent is currently at the guard position, though that shouldn't necessarily stop them from drafting a guard if they really like one.
3 2022 NBA Draft targets Magic must be watching
As noted, the Magic have several key building blocks, but they are currently missing one blue chip superstar prospect. Also, most of the team’s young talent is at the guard positions.
Enter Paolo Banchero.
The Duke star has superstar upside and would slot in nicely at either forward position. Standing 6-foot-10 and weighing in at 250 pounds, Banchero has elite measurements and projects as a physical player, both in terms of fighting for rebounds and for muscling through defenders off the dribble to score at the rim.
However, there’s a lot more to like about Banchero. He has demonstrated potential as a playmaker, and he has also shown potential as a shooter. With his height, if he can realize his potential and become an accurate and efficient shooter, he could present the problem of being “open even when he’s guarded,” which is the worst fear of a defensive game planner.
Banchero has already shown an ability to face up defenders and score in isolation, whether by shooting over the top of the defender or driving by them and finishing at the rim. As his playmaking improves, he projects as a lethal playmaker in the triple threat, able to create for others or create a scoring opportunity for himself, whether by shooting or driving.
Banchero's talents will be on display in the Sweet 16 against Texas Tech, which will be a tough test for him.
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2. Jaden Ivey
Jaden Ivey is the best guard prospect in this draft, and he very well may be the best overall prospect. At 6-foot-3, the Purdue superstar has quality size for a point guard, with elite athleticism to complement his height. Ivey is a physical presence on the court and is one of the fastest players in the draft with elite leaping ability. He can finish through contact, as well as going over or around defenders.
Ivey’s 3-point shot is still a work in progress, but he has shown quality, repeatable and efficient mechanics, as well as a willingness to attempt shots from beyond the arc. He may never be a sniper from long range, but with his athleticism and overall scoring ability, all he will need to do is take and hit a few shots from deep in order to keep defenses honest.
The only knock against Ivey from the Magic’s perspective is that they already have three quality guard options in Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs and Markelle Fultz. Rather than filling a hole in their roster, they would be bolstering one of their few strengths. This means that Ivey must be head and shoulders better than at least two of those three aforementioned players to make the most sense for Orlando.
Ivey and the Boilermakers will face Saint Peter's, the Cinderella story, in the Sweet 16.
1. Jabari Smith
Jabari Smith might be the best overall scorer in this year’s draft. The Auburn stud has elite height standing at 6-foot-10, to go along with good, if not quite elite, athleticism, and a silky-smooth jump shot. Smith might not be the most physically dominating, but he can be a mid-range assassin with range stretching beyond the 3-point line.
Smith also fits the bill of “open even when he’s guarded” due to his height and high release point on his jumper. With Smith versus Banchero, Smith gives you even better shooting and arguably equal or slightly better overall scoring, while Banchero provides you with more playmaking and rebounding. You can’t go wrong with either option as far as which player to draft.
That being said, I would lean toward Smith and his combination of elite shooting and scoring, even after his brutal performance in the Tigers' upset loss to Miami in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
