The perfect teams for the top 4 prospects in the 2022 NBA Draft

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – APRIL 02: Paolo Banchero #5 of the Duke Blue Devils moves the ball against Brady Manek #45 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 2, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana, The perfect teams for the top 4 prospects in the 2022 NBA Draft. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

The perfect teams for the top 4 prospects in the 2022 NBA Draft: Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic

Paolo Banchero’s performances in the NCAA tournament helped propel Duke to the Final Four before losing out to UNC. He certainly did his stock no harm at all and showcased his potential as a go to scorer – hitting threes, shots off the dribble and using his athleticism to get to the rim.

But the 19-year-old is someone who needs to be a key focal point on offense in order to thrive. He got that opportunity at Duke, but on a lot of NBA teams, he probably would not given the increased level of talent.

That is why the Orlando Magic might just be the perfect destination for the forward.

While the Magic have some good options in the frontcourt, including Franz Wagner who took everyone by surprise with a superb rookie season, the team desperately lacks offensive firepower and creativity. The defensive potential is there to see, but offensively, the Magic are still a long way short of being at the level required to progress forward.

Banchero landing on a team that does not have many guys who can reliably create their own shot would allow him to become a key offensive focal point, should he take that opportunity. The Magic ranked second to last in offensive rating this season and need someone else that can create their own shot.

While the Duke big man still has to improve his shot selection, three-point jumper, and defensive effort, there is clearly star potential there. Wagner looks a really exciting talent, Cole Anthony has been good in spells and Wendell Carter Jr. has been consistently solid, but Orlando does not have a Cade or a Gilgeous-Alexander to rely on.

Banchero could be that guy.