Gonzaga center Chet Holmgren appears to be the favorite among opposing executives to go No. 1 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, per Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.
Holmgren is 7-foot-0 and Magic head of basketball operations Jeff Weltman and GM John Hammond have traditionally gravitated toward players with length and wide wingspans, Fischer noted. That dates back to their days with the Bucks.
It was the Weltman-Hammond tandem that selected Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, for instance, and Jonathan Isaac in Orlando.
Holmgren also is close with guard Jalen Suggs, another Gonzaga product who just finished his rookie season. Holmgren and Suggs were teammates at Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis.
Auburn power forward Jabari Smith and Duke forward/center Paolo Banchero are viewed as others under consideration by the Magic.
Banchero recently said it should be him.
“I feel like I’m the No. 1 pick in the draft just because I’m the best overall player,” Banchero said on ESPN, via Eurohoops. “I feel like I check all the boxes. Whether that is being a great teammate, being able to be a star player, or doing whatever the coach needs.”
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