By: Nina Samone
The 2022 NBA draft has come to a thrilling conclusion – but as expected, there were some interesting turn of events.
For starters, the Orlando Magic shocked nearly the entire NBA fanbase by choosing Paolo Banchero – a Duke forward – as their No. 1 overall pick, despite never having hosted Banchero for an interview or formal workout.
Suspected No. 1 pick Jabari Smith was the third pick, taken by the Houston Rockets. Seven-footer Chet Holmgren out of Gonzaga was No. 2 as expected and ended up with the Oklahoma City Thunder – a team he could mesh into very well.
Yet another shocker was the Sacramento Kings choosing Keegan Murray out of Iowa as pick No. 4 over Jaden Ivey. The Detroit Pistons were not complaining as they scooped up Jaden Ivey in the fifth spot, adding to their backcourt.
Detroit appears to have come out on top as the apparent winner of this year’s draft with that No.5 steal of Jaden Ivey, while also participating in a three-team trade that involved the Hornets and Knicks. Detroit received Jalen Duren – originally the 13th pick by the Charlotte Hornets – and Kemba Walker from the Knicks in the trade.
This could spell a bright future for Detroit, with a young talented core of players to build around and Cade Cunningham leading the way.
The No. 6 pick saw the Pacers select Bennedict Mathurin, No.7 was Shaedon Sharpe with the Trail Blazers and Dyson Daniels was selected by the Pelicans as the No. 8 pick.
Daniels spent a season with the G League Ignite and has excellent playmaking ability and an efficient style of play that will nicely compliment Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum and the hopeful return of Zion Williamson.
Sources:
Kaskey-Blomain, Michael & Maloney, Jack. June 2022. CBS Sports. “2022 NBA Draft results, takeaways: Magic trick experts by taking Paolo Banchero at No. 1, setting off chaos.”
Adams, Luke. June 23rd 2022. HoopsRumors. “Jalen Duren, Kemba Walker, To Pistons In Three-Team Trade.” <https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2022/06/hornets-trading-no-13-pick-jalen-duren-to-pistons.html>
The Ringer Staff. June 24th, 2022. The Ringer. “The Winners and Losers of the 2022 NBA Draft.” <https://www.theringer.com/nba-draft/2022/6/24/23181161/the-winners-and-losers-of-the-2022-nba-draft>
