Paolo Banchero would be “blessed” to go to any top three team

Paolo Banchero was my number one prospect entering the college basketball season. This prompted me to outline each of Duke’s must-watch games before the college season tipped off for the entire Thunder fanbase to follow along with. In that article, I called Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, and Jaden Hardy the prizes of the 2022 NBA Draft. Fast forward to Draft week, and the top three are expected to be Banchero, Holmgren, and Jabari Smith Jr.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are still analyzing the 2022 NBA Draft class, as they await the Orlando Magic to be placed on the clock at 7 p.m. on Thursday, the Thunder own the 2nd and 12th selections of the draft.

Paolo Banchero is “blessed” to hear his name called by any of the top three teams in the 2022 NBA Draft

Paolo Banchero has spent most of the last month slotted for the Houston Rockets who own the third pick in the draft, with rumblings of Orlando here and there, and a fancy dinner in downtown Oklahoma City with Sam Presti. Though, many still expect him to land in Houston in a few days.

Banchero has been an afterthought for most in Oklahoma City, which might be what Sam Presti prefers leading up to the Draft. Despite his talent and Star ceiling, the talk has many revolved around Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith Jr, and Jaden Ivey. Outside of the day-long freak out about a high school interview where Banchero, the Seattle native, said he did not carry his fandom to Oklahoma City when the team moved.

The Duke product spoke to the media on Friday and was asked about his predraft process. Paolo Banchero while praising the Houston Rockets organization when asked about the possibility of landing with them, he also made it known that he will be “Blessed to hear my name called by any of the top three.” Which of course, includes Oklahoma City.

If Sam Presti views Banchero as the best option with the 2nd overall pick, he should and will make that call. You should not be scared off by Banchero’s Seattle ties even as all signs point to the Sonics returning to the NBA before his nine years of control with OKC are up (banking on Banchero to be good enough to warrant the second contract).

Let me ask you a question, did Kevin Durant leave for the Wizards? Did Paul George go sprinting to L.A. after his initial contract expired? No, he re-signed long-term in Bricktown and did not ask out until it was clear the Westbrook pairing would not work. Guys will leave and stay for many reasons, but it will not be due to their childhood fandom.

All Oklahoma City can do to even attempt to retain stars in a small market is provide them a place where they can grow a compete for championships, and sometimes even that is not enough.