In a time-honored tradition, it looks like the early NBA Draft picks have been leaked.
ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski and The Athletic/Stadium's Shams Charania are usually in constant competition on NBA Draft night to see who can spoil more surprises, but it's looking like Woj is off to an early lead.
Needless to say, the NBA Draft is in flux until the card is read, but the Magic, Thunder and Rockets would need a whale of an offer to come off their top three selections. Twelve hours before the draft, Wojnarowski said those picks are locked in.
Potential spoilers below!
According to Wojnarowski, the Magic are targeting forward Jabari Smith, the Thunder want Chet Holmgren, and the Rockets will select Paolo Banchero.
As team boards finalize today, the 1-2-3 of the NBA Draft is increasingly firm, per sources: Jabari Smith to Orlando, Chet Holmgren to Oklahoma City and Paolo Banchero to Houston.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 23, 2022
MORE: 2022 NBA Mock Draft: Final edition
Woj is no stranger to tipping picks. A few drafts ago, when ESPN reportedly mandated its talent refrain from spoilers -- it is ESPN's broadcast after all -- Wojnarowski said teams were "focused on" their inevitable picks to circumvent the rule. He, quite literally, can't help himself.
Charlotte is focused on LaMelo Ball with the No. 3 pick, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 19, 2020
NBA teams can be sieves of information around the draft, and there's always the possibility of a smokescreen. In this year's draft, however, teams are more disincentivized to mislead their picks due to the open nature of the top three. It's looked for a while like the top three could be any permutation of Smith, Holmgren, and Banchero. If that is set in stone, it could affect the potential offers any team would receive.
MORE: Big Board rankings on ceilings, best-case scenarios, player comps
Naturally a lot can change over the course of draft day, and perhaps one of these teams gets some kind of insurmountable offer. For the time being, however, Magic, Thunder and Rockets fans look like they have their guys. React disproportionately.
