A top 3 without surprise
If the identity of the first three young players drafted had already been known for several weeks, the order remained unclear until the last minute.
Long tipped to be number 1, inside Jabari Smith Jr (Auburn) finally fell to third position, to the Houston Rockets who therefore inherit a long and physical versatile player with a complete offensive panoply.
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It is the Italian international, Paolo Banchero (Duke) who saw his name called by commissioner Adam Silver to the first choice of the vintage.
He joins the Orlando Magic which reinforces its racket with an intelligent strong winger with interesting potential.
With the second choice, the Oklahoma City Thunder have set their sights on the long-awaited enigma: the slender giant Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga) who represents the archetype of the modern pivot, intelligent and endowed with real offensive qualities despite measurements as surprising than impressive (2m15, 86kg).
The Kings amaze, the Pistons celebrate
The choice of the Kings was like the first domino as the doubts hovered around the Sacramento project with this 4th choice.
Contrary to the predictions of NCAA specialists (university championship), the Californian franchise has decided to select Keegan Murray (Iowa), 22-year-old interior, instead of promising fullback Jaden Ivey (Purdue).
The latter finally fell into the hands of the Detroit Pistons who offered Cade Cunningham, first choice of the 2021 Draft, a golden partner on the backcourt.
The Knicks at the heart of the movement
The biggest trade of the evening took place in the middle of the first round.
The Charlotte Hornets, New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons have agreed on a triangle exchange involving Kemba Walker (NYK) who is flying to Michigan, accompanied by Jalen Duren (Memphis), a young pivot selected in the 13th position.
Several future draft picks are also involved in the deal.
The move allows the New York franchise to increase its financial flexibility in view of free agency this summer, while the Pistons and Hornets pocket a new rookie and picks for the future, respectively.
The French selected for the Draft 2022
Four French were expected this year in the Draft and they will all land in the NBA next season.
Unsurprisingly, Ousmane Dieng (New Zealand) was the first tricolor selected last night.
Chosen by the Knicks in 11th position, he was immediately traded to OKC, which gives several future choices for the next vintages.
A proof of the confidence placed in him by the Thunder.
He thus joins the French Théo Maledon and Jaylen Hoard.
Read alsoDraft NBA: these four French prodigies to conquer the United States
Pivot Moussa Diabaté (Michigan) had to wait until 43rd place to hear his name spoken at the Barclays Center microphone.
He arrives at the Los Angeles Clippers of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
Author of a great season in Betclic Elite, Ismael Kamagate (Paris Basketball) will be able to continue his development alongside Nikola Jokic at the Denver Nuggets, where he was selected in 46th position.
Dieng's teammate in Auckland, Hugo Besson (New Zealand) joins European star Giannis Antetokounmpoo at the Milwaukee Bucks, via pick 58.
