The top of the 2022 NBA Draft went as expected in terms of the three players chosen, but not in the order most were projecting.' Duke's Paolo Banchero was the first overall pick by Orlando, Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren No. 2 to Oklahoma City and Jabari Smith No. 3 to Houston. Banchero had been slight favorite for NBA Rookie of the Year entering the draft but is now a +350 co-favorite at Caesars Sportsbook with Smith – who was the favorite for weeks to be the top pick. '
Recent history says a top-4 pick is going to win the award because it has happened every year since 2015 (Andrew Wiggins), other than in 2017 when Malcolm Brogdon (then with Bucks) took home the award as the No. 36 overall pick. He remains the only second-rounder to win it in the modern era. Toronto Raptors fourth-overall pick Scottie Barnes is the most recent winner.
Orlando has had two ROY winners. One was Shaquille O'Neal (1991) and the other… Mike Miller (2001). Unless you are a Magic fan, you likely don't remember Miller. Houston has had two winners: Ralph Sampson in 1984 and Steve Francis in 2000.
The last player from Duke to win NBA ROY was Kyrie Irving with the Cavaliers in 2012. Who knows where Irving might be playing next season after he reportedly gave the Nets a list of six teams (Lakers, Clippers, Knicks, Mavericks, Heat, 76ers) where he'd like to be signed-and traded if he and the Nets can't agree to an extension, but that's a story for another day.
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