Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images The choice quickly will certainly be in. It's draft-day eve, suggesting the weeks of conjecture over who the Orlando Magic will choose with the first choice in the 2022 NBA Draft soon will certainly involve an end. Who the Magic will certainly take from the assumed top alternatives of Jabari Smith, Chet Holmgren and Paolo Banchero stays a mystery, just as it did when we did our very first mock draft summary after the Magic won the lottery. Though nearly all of one of the most current simulated drafts have the Magic choose Smith, including our really own draft guru Aaron Goldstone. Below are the most up to date mock drafts showing that the experts believe the Magic will certainly pick on Thursday evening. Click on each for the complete mock Nation - Jabari SmithI do not covet the decision Orlando's front workplace has in front of them, this was no simple job. I provided all 3 top big men Smith, Chet Holmgren, and Paolo Banchero) an appearance below. If I were running the Magic, I assume I would lean towards taking Banchero, but I wished to make this as sensible as feasible and I'm not persuaded Orlando is seriously considering him). I opted for Smith because I believe his combination of elite capturing and defensive upside plays in this league on any kind of team/within any ecological community. I'm not bothered with his handle and restricted capacity to create room in individually circumstances or his finishing capability). He simply transformed 19, and I assume his advantage is as solid as any person's in this course. - Aaron Goldstone, Orlando Pinstriped PostESPN - Jabari SmithOrlando has actually been diligent in assessing its choices past Smith atop the draft, exercising the similarity Holmgren, Jaden Ivey, Keegan Murray and Shaedon Sharpe. Every NBA team we've spoken with anticipates Smith to wind up being the pick below-- any kind of various other scenario would be a significant shock to league execs. Smith, whose only exercises have been for the Magic and Rumbling, makes a fair bit of feeling right here, as he's arguably the most effective shooter in the draft in spite of standing 6-foot-10 and is much more than a complete year younger than Holmgren, the No. 1 possibility on the ESPN Big Board. The strength level and flexibility Smith brings defensively will be eye-catching as well, together with the reality that he examines every box that NBA groups look for from a personality and competition viewpoint. - Jonathan GivonyBleacher Report - Jabari SmithThough the Magic are thought to be thinking about Holmgren and Banchero, Smith remains the favored. The team picking very first never intends to stress over danger, and Holmgren's body and slower shipment when developing have critics a tad bit anxious. Smith https://www.orlandosportsstore.com/collections/tristan-da-silva-jersey, a year younger and widely applauded for his maturity and technique, feels risk-free to everyone, and he's viewed to offer the same level of benefit as anyone in this draft with a capability that Orlando could utilize. - Jonathan WassermanCBS Sports - Jabari SmithNo change on this front as far as I can inform. Smith not only suits the Magic's organizational focus on size and adaptability, yet he can likewise place the sphere in the basket-- something Orlando seriously craves. The criticisms about his ability to create off the dribble are valid, but with his frame, athleticism and smooth shooting stroke, there's factor to believe Smith will eventually turn into a No. 1 racking up option. - Colin Ward-HenningerThe Athletic - Jabari SmithSmith was the man at No. 1 in the prompt post-lottery simulated draft, and he stays that individual here as we start draft week. I'm not as certain as several of my media associates regarding call this a lock. Orlando has done its due diligence on every one of the leading team of prospects in varying means. I don't assume this decision has actually been produced weeks or anything like that, and we'll just learn about it on draft night. Additionally, what were created leakages in order to try to persuade Oklahoma City to call them to move up to No. 1? What is exact? There are a lot of smoke displays throughout the league now. I understand this is not the answer that wagerers want to listen to today as they try to put their bank on who goes No. 1 https://www.orlandosportsstore.com/collections/paolo-banchero-jersey, but I legitimately have actually assumed throughout this process that Orlando's choice is a lot more wide open than the consensus would certainly show. - Sam VecenieThe Athletic, Part II - Chet HolmgrenI assume I could be the only person who believes there's a realistic chance Holmgren goes No. 1. Once more: The tale builds up. While a lot of draftniks have Jabari Smith Jr. as the premier player as do I), I don't assume that has ever before relocated the needle on just how this front workplace Jeff Weltman-John Hammond front-office group in Orlando is likewise renowned for valuing size far a lot more than most front workplaces, often to its detriment see Bamba, Mo), and sometimes widely to its benefit see Antetokounmpo, Giannis). While it's overly reductive to claim it's the only point the Magic take a look at-- they took Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner a year back, neither of whom had crazy wingspans-- I'm uncertain the attraction of Holmgren's edge defense will certainly be resistible. - John HollingerYahoo - Jabari SmithSmith may be the youngest of the top three prospects, but he brings a broad variety of offensive abilities that can be linked into this Magic group right away. He has the size and athleticism to safeguard positions 1-4 and is the ideal shooting big in this draft course, balancing 42% from 3-point range, something the Magic seriously require some aid with after firing 33% from deep last Magic brought in Holmgren for among their last workouts Smith exercised for the group June 9), yet there is a lot to like concerning what Smith offers the table as soon as possible with his elite shooting and protective flexibility. - Krysten PeekSporting News - Jabari SmithThe Magic seem secured on Smith with the No. 1 pick, and completely factor.