Source: Sarah Stier / Getty
The 2022 NBA Draft is in the books, and the stacked talent pool allowed many teams to pick up some players that will end up being franchise runners, role players, or round out a team with deep
playoff run hopes.
The honor of being the first off the draft board was given to
Duke forward Paolo Banchero, who the Orlando Magic snatched up. After his future changed forever, he couldn’t quite find the words to express what the moment meant to him and tried to describe last night’s emotions this morning.
“I definitely have calmed down and got my emotions together,” he told
GMA‘s T.J. Holmes bright and early in the New York studio. “I was overwhelmed with emotions — my first time ever, tearing up, crying, you know, tears of joy, so it was a once in a lifetime experience.”
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Once rounded out, the teams that selected first got solid players that fit their system, like the OKC Thunder drafting
Gonzaga product Chet Holmgren, the
Houston Rockets selecting Jabari Smith, the Sacramento Kings getting Keegan Murray, and the
Detriot Pistons choosing Jaden Ivey.
Ivey won’t be the only new player on the Motor City squad as UCONN legend Kemba Walker was dealt there in a 3-team trade that left New York Knicks fans bewildered as MSG brass hopes to make a run at
Jalen Brunson in free agency.
Whether you’re a Knicks fan or not (we’re looking at you,
Stephen A. Smith), the reactions to the 2022 draft are pretty entertaining. Check out some of the best
tweets below.
