The NBA Draft took place here in New York on Thursday night. It’s a special night for all the young talent to have their names called up by the commissioner Adam Silver. Several players were drafted, from Paolo Banchero to Chet Holmgren to Jabari Smith Jr and many more.
Orlando Magic selected Paolo Banchero as the No. 1 overall pick. Banchero joins the list of Magic players to go No. 1 on the draft: Shaq in ‘92, Chris Webber traded for Penny Hardaway in ‘93, and Dwight Howard in 2004. All of those players except Webber went to the Finals, and all of them were All-Stars. I think Banchero is going to be an outstanding player. I hope to see a legit Big 3 with him, Jalen Suggs, and Cole Anthony. The Magic needs to get to the promise land in the future. This franchise has been through so much since Dwight Howard left the team.
Houston Rockets picked Jabari Smith Jr in the No. 3. The Rockets haven’t drafted an All-Star since 2002 (Yao Ming). Smith Jr can help change this organization. The pairing between Smith Jr and Jalen Green can be electric in H-town. I like what I saw in the second half of the season from Jalen Green, and Jabari seems like he’s going to play with a chip on his shoulder. Houston has their foundation, and they hope these guys can take this team to high levels.
Oklahoma City Thunder is one of the biggest winners in last night’s draft. The front office has been putting in WORK. Thunder had three first-round draft picks and will have more in the next few years. Thunder has a strong future. Chet Holmgren went No. 2 in the draft and will fit perfectly in the Thunder system. He’s an elite rim protector and a different maker in the paint. Holmgren will make Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s so much easier because Holmgren can stretch the floor and knock down jump shots. At the same time, Alexander is very aggressive in driving to the basketball. I can’t wait to see Holmgren in a Thunder uniform. Gonzaga will miss him dearly, but they should be very proud of him.
Villanova’s Collin Gillespie agreed to a two-way deal with the Denver Nuggets. Collin is a baller, and I love his competitive drive. He was outstanding in the Big East Tournament and sensational overall for the Wildcats. Denver would love to have him and hope Collin can be valuable to them on the court. The pros and college are two different levels.
Jaden Ivey is the newest member of the Detroit Pistons. It will be interesting to see him and Cade Cunningham playing together on the backcourt. Ivey is an elite athlete, which is crucial because Detroit needs to get easy buckets in transition occasionally. Pistons are trying to build around their young core, and they will try to get DeAndre Ayton. With those three guys, who knows what can happen in Detroit.
Philadelphia 76ers traded Danny Green and their 23rd overall pick to the Memphis Grizzlies for De’Anthony Melton.
