Freshmen sit at top of the class

Paolo Banchero thinks he should be No. 1. Jabari Smith Jr. is sure he won’t go beyond No. 2. Chet Holmgren would be happy with either.

The freshmen have been considered the top three players available, in some order, in tonight’s NBA draft. The Magic will determine who goes first, with the Thunder and Rockets slated to follow.

Smith, who led Auburn to its first No. 1 ranking, gives a slight edge to himself, but is impressed by all three.

“I think I’m perfect because just my ability to affect both sides of the ball and my ability to knock down shots and affect winning at such an early age and early part of my game,” Smith said. “So I feel like that’s why I’m the No. 1 pick. Those guys are great watching them all season, just how unselfish they are and how much they contributed to their teams so early.”

Assuming they are gone in the top three spots, that’s when the mystery could start up.

The Kings hold the No. 4 pick, a spot that produced last season’s Rookie of the Year in Toronto forward Scottie Barnes. They could have players such as Purdue guard Jaden Ivey and Iowa forward Keegan Murray to choose among, though it’s unclear which way the Kings might be leaning — or even if they will make the pick at all instead of trading it.

Ivey, an athletic guard who tries to pattern his game like Ja Morant and Russell Westbrook, said he hasn’t spoken with the Kings and doesn’t sound as if he’d be overly enthused with a conversation.

“If I got drafted there, it wouldn’t be the worst option,” Ivey said. “I can’t pick, I’m not the GM who picks the guys, so I’m kind of just trying to just enjoy this process and whatever happens on draft night, I’m just going to stick with it.”

Murray has a much more favorable view of going to play for new coach Mike Brown on a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2006, the worst drought in NBA history.

“I think for me, being a King, I’d want to be a part of that, that culture, and be a part of the group that can turn that franchise around and get to the playoffs,” Murray said.

Before whatever the Kings do, the Magic will make the No. 1 pick for the fourth time. Orlando has done well with big men before, having drafted Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard first, and if it decides to go that way again, Smith or Holmgren would be the call.