After headlining the 2022 NBA Draft as the No. 1 pick, Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero continues to demonstrate why he is worthy of the first selection. However, others are in disagreement.<\/p>\n
In a recent segment of ESPN\u2019s Hoop Collective, insiders Brian Windhorst, Tim MacMahon and Tim Bontemps constructed a re-draft of the class. This time, Banchero fell to No. 2 behind Oklahoma City Thunder shooting guard\/ forward Jalen Williams.<\/p>\n
Insane To Even Compare The Two <\/p>\n
However I do agree with the take that Paolo is the Best Offensive Player in the Draft <\/p>\n
He missed half the season with injury and still the leading scorer in the draft class by 500 Points<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the Magic shoots well Orlando could come out the\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/rCCepb4y9f<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/rXWoRJyfKW<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Huncho Hoops (@HunchoHoops) August 15, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no question Jalen Williams is more decorated,\u201d Windhorst said. \u201cBut I still think Paolo Banchero is an absolute guy who can be a franchise player on a real contender.\u201d<\/p>\n The Thunder selected Williams with the 12th pick in 2022.<\/p>\n Both players have achieved similar milestones while outperforming one another in other areas. Like Banchero, Williams has earned<\/a> an All-Star selection. Banchero owns <\/a>the higher scoring average, while Williams played a crucial role in Oklahoma City\u2019s title run. Banchero earned Rookie of the Year, while Williams has earned All-NBA and All-Defensive Team nods.<\/p>\n \u201cHe [Banchero] is definitely the best offensive player, the highest upside offensive player in this draft without question,\u201d MacMahon said. \u201cHis efficiency has been relatively middling; part of that is just being the No. 1 option on a young team as a young player.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHe is the leading scorer in this class by over 500 points despite missing a fair amount of games, and he\u2019s the guy who has scoring leader potential.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite playing in just five playoff games last season, Banchero registered the sixth-highest<\/a> scoring average in the playoffs with 29.4 points. Williams averaged eight points less with 21.4, placing him at No. 18 in the rankings.<\/p>\n Bontemps emphasized the necessity for Banchero to take a step forward next season, particularly as a perimeter shooter.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a huge year for Paolo and the Magic,\u201d Bontemps said. \u201cPaolo\u2019s three years in the NBA, he shot 29.8 percent, 33.9 percent and 32 percent flat from three <\/a>while taking more each year.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s obviously a tremendous offensive player, but by going in and getting this Desmond Bane deal done, the Magic clearly believe they\u2019ve got a window now with the way the East has fallen to potentially be a Conference Finals team, to be an NBA Finals team.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFranz Wagner and Paolo Banchero, their two cornerstone guys, have to take steps forward,\u201d Bontemps added. \u201cParticularly from an efficiency standpoint.\u201d<\/p>\n Ex-NBA Executive Slams Magic For Paolo Banchero Decision<\/a><\/p>\n Former Magic Player Passes Steph Curry in GOAT Debate<\/a><\/p>\n