The Orlando Magic have won the 2022 draft lottery and will be the first to pick for the NBA Draft taking place this June. The last time the Magic secured the No.1 pick was back in 2004 when the team selected Dwight Howard, and the moment also marks 30 years to the day since the Magic won the lottery that secured Shaquille O’Neal.
Orlando had the worst record in the 2021-2022 NBA season at 22-60 and had about a 14 percent chance of landing the No.1 pick. Heading into the draft, it was originally supposed to be president of basketball operations, Jeff Weltman, on stage, but a last-minute change was made to coach Jamahl Mosley based on a lucky feeling.
“I haven’t been very good at this,” Weltman told reporters in a video interview. “It’s funny. Coach was feeling lucky and we let him roll the dice and tonight, he’s the coach of the year.”
Joining the Magic in the Top four are the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and Sacramento Kings respectively, and according to ESPN‘s prospect rankings, the top 3 picks this year are projected to be Gonzaga’s seven-foot center Chet Holmgren, Duke power forward Paolo Banchero, and Auburn forward Jabari Smith.
“We look to add a really talented, young, high-character guy to our talent base and our roster. I have no expectations on it,” Weltman commented regarding the team’s draft strategy. “Obviously, we’ll continue to do our work. This really doesn’t change much of the way that we’ll approach the draft. We’re just really excited to be able to fall in love with somebody and pick that player.”
This year’s NBA Draft is scheduled to take place on June 23.
“The fans. The organization. It’s so exciting. … It’s going to be special.” – Jamahl Mosley
?: ESPN pic.twitter.com/KiFtYeQhXk
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) May 18, 2022
THERE’S A SPIRIT IN ORLANDO @SixthManShow ? @MichelobULTRA pic.twitter.com/g3Ihqfs7Io
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) May 18, 2022
Elsewhere in sports, Victor Solomon and the NBA unveil the new-look Larry O’Brien trophy.
Tagged: Sports