Magic, Thunder, Rockets Lock In 2022 Top Selection With Large Contracts: Report

NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!

The top three elections in the 2022 NBA draft get paid.

Orlando Magic announced a five-year contract extension of $ 239 million for Paolo Banchero, the total overall election of the 2022 NBA draft, Monday. Banchero’s contract could be worth up to $ 287 million if he becomes eligible for a SuperMax agreement.

Oklahoma City Thunder and Chet Holmgren have accepted a five-year maximum rookie contract extension, which could be worth up to $ 250 million, according to ESPN. Holmgren was the total election # 2 of the NBA draft in 2022.

CLICK HERE for more sports cover at Foxnews.com

Magic Forward Paolo Banchero responds after a game against Atlanta Hawks in the Kia Center on April 15, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Preferred Pictures)

No. 3 overall elections in 2022 NBA Draft, Jabari Smith Jr., intends to sign a five-year-old, $ 122 million rookie contract extension with Houston Rockets.

Banchero, 22, won this year’s Rookie in the 2022-2023 season and has improved in each of its three seasons in the league.

Banchero played 72 games in his rookie season and an average of 20 points and almost seven rebounds and 3.7 assists per day. Match. In his second season. Banchero raised his scoring and helps average.

The former Duke star average 22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists across 80 games and were selected for the All-Star team.

Kevin Durant, Steve Nash reflects on questions teasing nets during turbulent races in Brooklyn

Orlando Magic Forward Paolo Banchero drives to the basket against Celtics during the NBA Final Game in TD Garden on April 29, 2025 in Boston. (David Butler II-Preferred Pictures)

This last season, a torn oblique muscle limited him to 46 games, but Banchero shone in the games he played. Banchero average 25.9 points, while bringing 7.5 rebounds with 4.8 assists a game.

Banchero is the column in a rising magic team that has made the playoffs for the last two seasons.

Holmgren, 23, was an integral part of the Thunder team that defeated Indiana Pacers in the NBA final.

The former Gonzaga star played in all 23 of the team’s playoffs and had the highest plus-minus (+169) of any player in the final game this season, according to ESPN.

Mavericks Rookie Cooper Flagg gives notice of support for Texas communities rolling from devastating floods

Thunder -tip Chet Holmgren celebrates after winning match seven of the NBA final against Indiana Pacers in the Paycom Center on June 22, 2025 in Oklahoma City. (Alonzo Adams Preferred Pictures)

Holmgren missed his entire Rookie season with a ligament tearing in the right foot, but played all 82 games the following season. He average 16.5 points, nearly eight rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.3 blocks per day. Match in his first season of NBA Action.

The 7-foot-1 star played on only 32 games in the regular season last season as he missed time with a pelvic injury, but still sent very similar numbers as his first year in the games he played. Holmgren average 15 points, eight rebounds, two assists and over two blocks a game when he returned from an injury.

Holmgren is a strength on Thunder’s strong defense and is considered one of the best defenders in the league. With the contract extension awarded to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder has two of their best players signed in the long term as they appear to start a dynasty.

Smith, 22, is part of the Young Rockets core that helped the team become No. 2 seed in the Western Conference this season.

Rockets Frem Jabari Smith Jr. Celebrates with guard peace vanvelet after scoring against Houston Rockets in the Toyota Center on March 25, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Troy Taormina-Preferred Pictures)

Smith has been a consistent player throughout his three seasons in the NBA. In 212 career games, the former Auburn star was an average of 13 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per day. Match.

Phoenix Suns allegedly tried to acquire Smith in the Kevin Durant trade, but Rockets rejected requests to include him, according to ESPN.

With the addition of Durant to Rockets’ core, the franchise hopes he can push them over the top to run deep into the playoffs.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top