VIEW FROM THE SCORER’S TABLE
BIG DRAFT NIGHT FOR MAGIC, THUNDER AND PISTONS, BUT A FEW TEAMS WERE NOTICEABLY LESS FORTUNATE
The Magic made a surprise selection with the No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick Thursday — a big night for rebuilding rosters and young teams on the rise — drafting Duke’s Paolo Banchero when many believed they would take Auburn’s Jabari Smith. The Thunder ended up with four picks in the top 34, including three in the top 12, and the Rockets took Smith at No. 3 and LSU’s Tari Eason at No. 17. The Pistons ended up with two lottery picks, and the Cavaliers added to their already strong defense.
There also were just 58 picks in the draft instead of 60 because the Bucks and Heat had to forfeit second-round picks for violating league rules “governing the timing of free-agency discussions.”
Who had the best and worst nights? It will be years before we truly know how good this year’s class is, but that hasn’t stopped anyone from making snap judgments in the past. Let’s take a look at the biggest winners and losers from this year’s NBA draft:
Winner: Thunder
OKC got the player it coveted at No. 2 in Gonzaga center Chet Holmgren, who fills an immediate need as an interior defender while also offering immense potential. The Thunder then targeted more upside with two additional lottery picks, trading with the Knicks for French big man Ousmane Dieng at No. 11, then taking Santa Clara guard Jalen Williams at No. 12. Rebuilding their roster, the Thunder should continue to make incremental strides while staying in position for French phenom Victor Wembanyama, the prize of the class of 2023 and next year’s presumptive top pick.
Winner: Paolo Banchero
The former Duke forward didn’t know when he would get drafted or by whom. He was thrilled it was No. 1 by the Magic.
“Man, I plan on bringing everything I have to Orlando,” he said. “First off, just a winning mindset, a work-first mindset.
He later added, “I feel like this is a fantasy. I dreamed of being in the NBA, but being the No. 1 overall pick, this is crazy.”
The Magic kept their plans quiet, with most mock drafts expecting them to take Smith.
Loser: Kings
Purdue’s Jaden Ivey was considered the best player available at No. 4, but the Kings passed on him for Iowa’s Keegan Murray. Earlier in the week, Ivey gave a cold response to the idea of going to the Kings, saying it “wouldn’t be the worst option.” Yes, the Kings have De’Aaron Fox in the backcourt, but they should be choosing best available. And maybe to the Kings, Murray was the best available. Don’t forget the Kings passed on Luka Doncic and Trae Young in 2018.
Winner: Pistons
Ivey wanted to be in Detroit so badly that he wept when his selection by the Pistons at
No. 5 was announced. He should slot in nicely next to point guard Cade Cunningham, last year’s top pick, in a talented young backcourt.
General manager Troy Weaver then made a shrewd move to acquire Memphis center Jalen Duren, the No. 13 pick from the Hornets. With Cunningham, Ivey, Duren and 2020 first-round picks Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart, the Pistons have a promising young core to get fans excited.
Loser: Lakers
They didn’t have a first-round pick — that went to the Pelicans as part of the Anthony Davis trade in 2019. And up until Wednesday, the Lakers didn’t have a pick at all. They traded into the second round and selected Michigan State’s Max Christie, the former Rolling Meadows High School star, with the No. 35 pick. Christie has the potential to become an excellent three-point shooter and defender, but it’s unlikely he gives the Lakers the kind of help they need now.
Winner: G League Ignite
The G League team for prospects who choose not to play in college had three players drafted, including two in the first round: Dyson Daniels at No. 8 to the Pelicans, MarJon Beauchamp at No. 24 to the Bucks and Jaden Hardy at No. 37 to the Mavericks. And Hardy was a potential first-rounder on several mock drafts. Last year, the Ignite’s Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga were taken second and seventh, respectively, and in next year’s draft, Ignite guard Scoot Henderson is a potential top-three pick.
Winner: Grizzlies
They continued their trend of aggressive draft-night moves, trading up to acquire Wake Forest’s Jake LaRavia at No. 19 and Colorado State’s David Roddy at No. 23 and sending the No. 22 and 29 picks to the Timberwolves. LaRavia has the potential to be an ideal stretch big man who can help boost the Grizzlies’ below-average threepoint shooting, and Roddy has the defensive versatility to play on the wing and in the post. Both fit the mold of productive college players under the radar who have found success in Memphis.
Loser: Knicks
The Knicks regressed this past season, going from a fourth-place team to 11th place. They had the No. 11 pick and decided to trade it to the Thunder for three conditional first-round picks. Yes, the Knicks are trying to carve out salary-cap space to make a big move in free agency. They’d better hope they get the player they want, and that player had better produce. They also traded the No. 13 pick to the Pistons for a 2025 first-round pick. Maybe it works out for the Knicks. Or maybe it’s a disaster.