Ahead of Thursday night’s event, the Magic appear to have their eyes set on Jabari Smith Jr., who starred for an Auburn team that won the SEC regular season championship.
“Every NBA team we’ve talked with expects Smith to end up being the pick here,” ESPN’s Jonathan Givony wrote in his most recent mock draft. “Any other scenario would be a major surprise to league executives.”
If the Magic do follow through and bring Smith to Orlando, he would find himself on a long list of No. 1 picks that features busts, All-Stars and Hall of Famers.
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Complete list of first overall picks in NBA history
Cade Cunningham is the most recent No. 1 pick in NBA Draft history. The Pistons guard finished third in Rookie of the Year voting last season behind Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (No. 4 pick) and Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley (No. 3 pick).
Cleveland has landed at No. 1 on the draft board more than any other NBA team (six total picks). The Cavs selected Austin Carr (1971), Brad Daugherty (1986), LeBron James (2003), Kyrie Irving (2011), Anthony Bennett (2013) and Andrew Wiggins (2014).
(Via Basketball-Reference)
