The No. 1 overall pick is on the Magic's roster for the 2022 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
In a shocking turn of events, Orlando elected to take Duke's Paolo Banchero with the first pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. While I personally always saw the 6-foot-10 forward as the best player in this draft class, the expectation was that Auburn forward Jabari Smith Jr. would go first overall before a last-minute switch by the Magic.
Now, Orlando will hand the keys of the franchise over to the versatile scoring playmaker, who averaged 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks per game during his freshman season at Duke.
Ahead of the draft, I wrote this on Banchero's potential: "At 6-10, 235 pounds, he has the perfect blend of an NBA-ready body and polished skill set, able to create his own shot and make plays for others. Banchero is a matchup nightmare with the potential to play the five in today's evolving outside-in NBA."
We're in for a treat at Summer League, as Banchero is slated to face off against both Smith and the No. 3 overall pick, Chet Holmgren.
Here is when Banchero and the Magic will be in action and how you can tune in.
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When does Paolo Banchero play in NBA Summer League?
Banchero will make his debut with the Magic at Las Vegas Summer League, which begins on Thursday, July 7 and runs through Sunday, July 17.
His first game will be must-see TV, as Banchero will face off against the Rockets and Jabari Smith Jr. This matchup has a little extra juice to it, considering Smith was the favorite to go No. 1 overall to Orlando all the way up until the final moments before the 2022 NBA Draft.
Orlando Magic Summer League schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel (US) |
| Thursday, July 7 | Rockets | 10:00 PM | ESPN |
| Saturday, July 9 | Kings | 4:00 PM | ESPN |
| Monday, July 11 | Thunder | 9:00 PM | ESPN |
| Thursday, July 14 | Knicks | 7:30 PM | NBA TV |
Who is on the Magic's Summer League roster?
Banchero will be joined by former first-round pick RJ Hampton and 2020 second-round pick Caleb Houstan on the Magic's Summer League roster.
You can find the full roster below.
squaaaad pic.twitter.com/h528KecB3J
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) June 29, 2022
