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The 2022 NBA Draft was last night. The Orlando Magic held the No. 1 overall pick in it.
After we spent most of the offseason assuming that the Magic would take Auburn power forward Jabari Smith, the team went another way, taking Duke's Paolo Banchero.
What does this mean for Banchero when it comes to his fantasy value? How does he fit with the Magic?
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Who drafted Paolo Banchero?
Despite all the rumors that pointed in the other direction toward Jabari Smith and the fact that the other player who went in the top three, Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren, being a stereotypical Magic pick, Orlando ended up taking Banchero in the first round.
In his lone season at Duke, Banchero averaged 17.2 points per game on 47.8% shooting, including a 33.8% mark from three. He also added 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.9 blocks and 1.1 steals per game. Banchero arguably has the highest offensive ceiling in this draft.
How does Banchero fit in Orlando?
Banchero should start at power forward from day one for the Magic. A versatile offensive weapon who can also function at the three, Banchero projects to be a No. 1 option on that end if everything works out. He can make tough shots and score at every level. You hope the three-point develops a little more and that he can work on his conditioning a little more, but Banchero can score a bunch of buckets. Orlando needs that.
His ability to play the four is especially important in light of the Jonathan Isaac situation. Injuries have destroyed Isaac's upside at this point. He played 34 games in the 2019-20 season then didn't play at all last year. He was definitely on an upward trajectory, but his torn ACL and meniscus then led to a hamstring issue that was bad enough to require surgery. Banchero makes Isaac less important in the grand scheme of things.
If Banchero can become even a net-neutral player on defense, his offensive upside gives him a chance to be the best player in this class, and it would give Orlando a bonafide No. 1 option.
Does Banchero have fantasy value as a rookie?
Minutes will matter here. If Isaac is limited or out and Banchero can claim the starting job at the four (or the three), his projected volume would make him a solid mid-round pick in points leagues. The concern in category leagues is that Banchero is a rookie who'll be asked to do a lot offensively. The raw numbers will be good, but his shooting percentages could end up being an issue.
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