The Orlando Magic hold the number one pick in Thursday night’s NBA Draft.
Everyone knows just how much potential comes with that number one pick – it could truly change the fate of the team overnight.
Right now, speculation says that Jabari Smith will be selected by the Magic, giving the team one of the most promising rookies in the rookie class.
Hopefully, he lives up to some of the former number one picks in Orlando’s past.
The last 1st overall picks to play their rookie season for the Magic:
1992 — Shaquille O’Neal
2004 — Dwight Howard
2022 — ??????????????Shaq and Howard combined for ten All Star seasons in Orlando. pic.twitter.com/v2Jst50Yek
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 23, 2022
The last number one overall picks playing their rookie seasons for the Magic were Shaquille O’Neal (chosen in 1992) and Dwight Howard (2004).
Those two stars combined for ten All-Star seasons in Orlando and became major names within the league for years to come.
They also both wear championship rings today.
Can we expect another player like these two from tonight’s draft?
The Favorite
The 6-foot-10 Smith worked out with the Magic earlier in the month as he became the betting favorite to take the top spot in the draft.
What do the Magic see in Smith?
They see someone who shot 43% from the field and 42% from the three-point range while playing for Auburn.
He averaged 16.9 points and 7.4 rebounds during his time in college.
If he joins the Magic, he will now be the newest part of a very young, promising squad featuring Markelle Fultz, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, and Cole Anthony.
This is a youthful team that has a lot of potential but has yet to really capitalize on that yet.
Will Smith be the missing piece the team needs to take things to the next level?
Or will the Magic remain towards the bottom of the Eastern Conference for yet another year?
NEXT: NBA No. 1 Pick Odds Keep Drastically Shifting On Thursday
