Rookie Wire took a look at five of the best possible combinations that could come out of draft night.
The 2022 NBA draft represents hope for every franchise in the league. However, more than any sport, the basketball draft represents hope for teams at the top of the order.
Franchises with young cores have the chance to add potential superstar pieces that can grow with the foundation that has already been set.
None of these teams are completely devoid of talent, though.
Houston has Jalen Green, Detroit has Cade Cunningham and even Oklahoma City has Shai-Gigleous Alexander. Each of these teams desperately needs more talent to supplant their young building blocks with.
The possible outcome of the draft could lead to some pairings that are made in a laboratory. Others still could be disastrous for the development of these rookies.
With that in mind, here are five of the best possible combinations that could come out of draft night.
Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith Jr. headline the prospects invited to attend the NBA draft from the green room at the Barclays Center.
With less than two weeks to go until the 2022 NBA draft, the league is beginning to extend invitations to prospects to attend the festivities from the green room at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Teams each year vote on players they believe will be drafted early, typically the top 20-25 prospects. Last year, 20 players were invited to the green room and each were selected in the first round. However, Josh Primo was not invited and was the 12th pick by the San Antonio Spurs.
Jonathan Givony of ESPN on Thursday reported that 11 prospects have been invited to the green room so far with more players to come. Of course, the list is likely a sign of things to come but the final results on draft night could differ.
Here is the list of players invited to the draft green room.
Jabari Smith Jr. is scheduled to just work out for the Magic and Thunder.
Auburn forward Jabari Smith Jr. said on Thursday that he only has two scheduled workouts with NBA teams: the Orlando Magic and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Potential No. 1 pick Jabari Smith Jr. worked out with the Magic today. It is his first workout. He has one more scheduled with the Thunder. pic.twitter.com/d5OjCR3Vvb
Smith Jr. worked out with the Magic on Thursday and is expected to work out for the Thunder in the near future, per Rookie Wire’s Cody Taylor. Smith Jr. is projected by most national mocks to go first overall in the 2022 NBA draft, so the Thunder will likely not have a chance to select him.
This seems like a case of the Thunder doing their due diligence by scheduling a workout with Smith Jr. as it will be the only time both parties will be able to officially talk to each other before the draft.
The All-American participated in his first workout ahead of the NBA draft, a closed session with the Magic.
ORLANDO, Fla. — In front of the top Orlando Magic executives, and even some players themselves, Jabari Smith Jr. worked to show why he should be the No. 1 overall pick on June 23.
Smith on Thursday participated in his first workout ahead of the NBA draft, a closed session that only featured the former Auburn forward. The meeting with the Magic may have been his first, but it could have been the most important one of the process.
The 19-year-old is widely considered one of three players in heavy consideration to hear their name called first on draft night. Gonzaga center Chet Holmgren is also in the conversation, as is Duke forward Paolo Banchero.
Smith firmly believes he should be the first player selected, though.
I feel like I can come in right away and just make an instant impact to any team with my shooting ability and my ability to play defense — all of it. My ability to guard multiple positions, I feel like, separates me from a lot of people.
Smith, who was voted a consensus All-American, averaged 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, two assists, 1.1 steals and one blocked shot on 42% shooting from 3-point range last season. He set the Auburn single-season freshman record for points (576) and 3-pointers (79).
The possibility of becoming the top pick is something Smith is ready for.
He understands the pressure that comes with being the first player chosen and believes he has all of the tools in his corner to best handle it. He cited his father, Jabari Smith, who played in the NBA for four seasons, as a key person in his camp.
“He has given me a lot of advice, basically everything I know,” Smith said. “He is just always telling me to have fun with it and give it my all. Basketball is going to be taken away from me sooner than later so just have fun with it and enjoy it.”
Smith, who will also work out with the Oklahoma City Thunder, sees a good fit with the Magic. He watched the NBA often this season and caught Orlando on a couple of occasions. Smith likes the chemistry among the Magic players — on and off of the court.
With Smith on the practice court at Amway Center, several Magic players were on hand to catch a glimpse at their possible new teammate, including Cole Anthony, Jonathan Isaac, Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner.
That left Smith with a great lasting impression as he departs Orlando.
“It means a lot,” Smith said. “Teams usually don’t have half of their team still at home around this time so that means something. They are real hungry and real close, it seems like. You see they’re trying to work and get to that next level.”
One is more likely than the other for the Thunder.
Hall-of-Famer Tracy McGrady named a pair of 2022 NBA draft prospects when asked by NBC Sports Washington which prospects he thinks has the best chance of being future superstars.
“I like the kid Johnny Davis. I think he has the ability to be a star in today’s game. I think Jabari Smith has the ability to be a star in today’s game,” McGrady said. “Those two really stand out to me of having that potential to be perennial All-Stars in the NBA.”
While it must be exciting for Smith Jr. and Davis to hear this from an NBA legend, the chances of the Oklahoma City Thunder adding either is low. Smith Jr. is projected by most national mock drafts to go first overall to the Orlando Magic while Davis is projected to go before 12, but there’s still a decent shot he falls to there.
The upcoming draft is highlighted by several talented players, and McGrady believes at least two of them can become future All-Stars.
The upcoming NBA draft is highlighted by several players projected to have long careers, and Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady believes at least two of them can become future All-Stars in the league.
Of course, Duke forward Paolo Banchero, Gonzaga center Chet Holmgren and Auburn forward Jabari Smith Jr. are considered the front-runners to be the first pick by Orlando Magic. The class also features several other high-caliber players that can perform with the best of them.
I like the kid Johnny Davis. I think he has the ability to be a star in today’s game. I think Jabari Smith has the ability to be a star in today’s game. Those two really stand out to me of having that potential to be perennial All-Stars in the NBA.
Smith, who was voted a consensus All-American, averaged 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, two assists, 1.1 steals and one blocked shot on 42% shooting from 3-point range. He set the Auburn single-season freshman record for points (576) and 3-pointers (79).
Davis also earned All-American honors after averaging 19.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals in 31 games. He was named the Big Ten Player of the Year after leading the Badgers to the conference regular-season title.
While Smith is in the running to be the top pick, Davis is projected to be taken in the 6-10 range on June 23. He proved a dynamic scorer by creating for himself or working in the mid-range and had three 30-point performances to show for it.
Certainly, other players in the upcoming draft have strong chances to make a trip to the All-Star Game but Smith and Davis stand out the most to McGrady.
This now means both Jabari Smith Jr. and Chet Holmgren would reportedly be excited to be drafted by the Thunder.
In his latest piece, The Oklahoman’s Joe Mussatto was able to speak to some people within Auburn forward Jabari Smith Jr.’s circle. Smith Jr. is projected to go first overall to the Orlando Magic in most mock drafts, so the Oklahoma City Thunder likely won’t get a shot to take him. But his high school coach Jon-Michael Nickerson revealed that Smith Jr. told him he would love to be drafted by the Thunder if given the chance.
“Before the NBA lottery, when the draft order was unknown, Nickerson said he and Smith had a conversation about the Thunder.
“Man, I would love to go there if that’s an option,” Nickerson remembered Smith saying.”
It’s a little eye-popping to read that both Smith Jr. and Gonzaga forward Chet Holmgren would be excited to be drafted by the Thunder. It just goes to show that despite being in Oklahoma City, younger players understand how well structured the Thunder runs its team.
The 2022 NBA draft is scheduled on June 23.
“Some practices I’m just like, ‘Yo, this shit is not normal.’”
We caught up with a few of Jabari Smith’s former coaches, including Auburn’s Bruce Pearl, to learn more about Smith and how he’d fit with the Thunder: https://t.co/ViLTLNiTlQ
Kevin O’Connor doesn’t buy Jabari Smith Jr. is a lock to go first overall in the 2022 NBA draft to the Orlando Magic.
In his latest Spotify live green room, The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor said he has heard Auburn forward Jabari Smith Jr. getting taken first by the Orlando Magic isn’t a done deal yet.
“A lot of reports say it is Jabari Smith Jr. I am not sure if I buy that; most NBA people that I talk to are not sold on that either,” said O’Connor.
KOC in his Green room live right now: "A lot of reports say it is Jabari Smith Jr [Going Number one] I am not sure If I buy that, most NBA people that I talk to are not sold on that either."
Of course, it is that time of the year when rumors and reports are at an all-time high as agents and teams try to gain public leverage for themselves as the 2022 NBA draft quickly approaches. So I’m not totally sure just how much stock I would put into this — especially considering the near-consensus among national mock drafts for the last few weeks has been Smith Jr. is going to the Magic. But O’Connor is legit, and if he’s saying something then it should not be easily scoffed at. We’ll just have to see what happens on June 23.
Of course, this affects the Oklahoma City Thunder because they own the second overall pick, so if Smith Jr. isn’t the guy for the Magic, then Gonzaga forward Chet Holmgren likely is. That means the Thunder will get Smith Jr. with their pick instead of the widely assumed Holmgren. But considering this is a two-man draft, the Thunder win either way.
“He’s not necessarily a part of the long-term future. Maybe he’s a guy they flip again, but why would you not want to keep (SGA)? He’s just the guy that you’d be open to moving if the deal’s right.”
During the video version of his 2022 NBA mock draft following the NBA draft lottery, The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor expressed his excitement over the Oklahoma City Thunder selecting Jabari Smith Jr. second overall.
During his analysis, O’Connor added an interest side note about how he doesn’t believe Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a guarantee to be on the team for the long run as he thinks Josh Giddey will be.
“I think it’s worth noting as a quick aside here, (Josh) Giddey’s likely there for the long term, that (Shai) Gilgeous-Alexander stuff — he’s already into his second contract. They already had trade talks potentially trying to go for Cade Cunningham last year according to multiple reports. He’s not necessarily a part of the long-term future. Maybe he’s a guy they flip again, but why would you not want to keep Gilgeous-Alexander? He’s just the guy that you’d be open to moving if the deal’s right.”
Hearing this might be a little concerning for the Thunder fanbase as Gilgeous-Alexander is easily the best player on the team currently. He also fits relatively well with a potential Giddey and Smith Jr. timeline as they will all be 24 years old, 20 years old and 19 years old respectively at the start of the 2022-23 season.
From what it sounds like, it seems like this is more O’Connor spitballing with the Gilgeous-Alexander stuff than it is about him reporting anything he knows. The Gilgeous-Alexander for Cunningham stuff is pretty interesting though as some have reported that to be the case, so O’Connor chiming in and saying it happened adds more legitimacy to the rumor.
Either way, it’s too early to worry about Gilgeous-Alexander’s long-term future with the team. There’s always a possibility that he’s not here for the long run, but that shouldn’t be on the fanbase’s mind as of right now as the team prepares to select second overall for the first time since Kevin Durant in 2007.
Gilgeous-Alexander is under contract for the Thunder until 2027 as his rookie extension kicks in next season. To read what else O’Connor had to say about why the Thunder should take Smith Jr. second overall, here’s the full analysis transcribed.
“This pick is one of my favorite matches from team to prospect in the entire draft.”
In his latest 2022 NBA mock draft, The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor has the Oklahoma City Thunder selecting Auburn forward Jabari Smith Jr. second overall. The video version of his mock draft explains in further detail as to why he thinks the Smith Jr. to Thunder scenario is a dream matchup for both parties:
“I got Jabari Smith Jr. going number two right now. This fit here for Oklahoma City. It’s — again — sensational for Sam Presti and the Thunder that they land number two. They have the ammo to trade up to number one if they really need to get their guy for sure. But Jabari Smith and number two makes a hell of a lot of sense because you get a guy who’s 6’10, who shot 43.6% from three as a freshman at Auburn, and he’s not just some spot up shooter, some guy who’s taken standstill threes. He’s somebody who can come off of screens and hand off and movement. Auburn didn’t do that during his freshman year, but you can see the way he takes pull up jumpers, the way he relocates off ball, how those skills are going to apply to more organized sets that you see in the NBA. So for Oklahoma City here, think about what they have. Their best young guys — Josh Giddey, who they drafted last year, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who they of course got in the Paul George trade. Those guys are your primary ball handlers. And I think it’s worth noting as a quick aside here, Giddey’s likely there for the long term, that Gilgeous-Alexander stuff — he’s already into his second contract. They already had trade talks potentially trying to go for Cade Cunningham last year according to multiple reports. He’s not necessarily a part of the long-term future. Maybe he’s a guy they flip again, but why would you not want to keep Gilgeous-Alexander? He’s just the guy that you’d be open to moving if the deal’s right. If they’re keeping SGA and Giddey, Jabari Smith Jr. makes all the sense in the world considering the fact he brings that shotmaking that complements those guys. One of his weaknesses: getting very little of the ball, doesn’t have the tightest handle. This is where the (Michael Porter Jr.) comparison comes from. That’s something to keep in mind here. Think about what makes the best version of Michael Porter Jr. work in Denver. Well, he’s playing off of Jokic, he’s playing off of Murray and he’s feasting against some of the weaker matchups. He’s getting spot up threes, he’s attacking close outs. Jabari Smith Jr. will be in a similar environment next to SGA and Giddey and some of the other handlers for the Thunder. But the reason why this works is because Smith can develop that over the course of time. The level that he needs to reach as a ball handler — and he doesn’t need to be the 6’10 Kyrie Irving. He just needs to reach a passable level so he can be creating offense for your team. And even though he doesn’t, whatever man, because you’re getting somebody who sets the tone on defense, who’s 6’10, who’s long, who’s tough, who hustles, who brings it every single possession on the floor. So at a minimum, you get a guy with size, a shooting stroke, who’s smart, who can defend multiple positions. This is why this guy is a top pick and why he rose up the rankings during his freshman year at Auburn. For OKC here, this pick is one of my favorite matches from team to prospect in the entire draft. But with that said, Oklahoma City, you could say a lot of the same things about what Chet (Holmgren) could be with that team as a complementary piece and what (Paolo) Banchero could be as a primary guy, alongside them as a creator.”
It seems like Smith Jr. fits all the needs that the Thunder need in terms of building with Gilgeous-Alexander and Giddey as he provides excellent outside shooting, an ability to move off the ball and a defensive pedigree that can raise the team’s floor on that side of the court. Considering that is in increasingly becoming more of a two-man draft between Smith Jr. and Holmgren, it’s hart to see the Thunder not be extremely happy and excited with whichever of the two they select.
