NEW YORK — The 2022 NBA draft first round featured a few surprises, including the Orlando Magic selecting Duke's Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 overall pick, but mostly went to form of the best available players in this class. Here are our instant reactions and grades for every pick in the first round.
Banchero isn't as agile and lacks the lateral quickness Jabari Smith and Chet Holmgren have but he has the most NBA-ready body at 6-foot-10 and 250 pounds. The Duke forward can be plugged in right away alongside Wendell Carter Jr. for some added size and is comfortable starting the offense as a primary ball-handler of missed shots.