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One week out, Smith remains ‘favorite’ to be first overall selection

The 2022 NBA Draft is officially one week away, and there still seems to be at least some mystery behind who the Orlando Magic will be taking with the first overall selection in the draft.

The Magic will be picking first for the fourth time in franchise history next Thursday night, and for the first time since Dwight Howard was selected first overall in 2004.

There seems to be a consensus among league executives and draft industry experts that the top three players in this class are (in varying combinations/orders) versatile big men Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, and Jabari Smith Jr.