68. It’s Paolo at #1, Now What?

The Orlando Magic selected Paolo Banchero #1 and most people seem thrilled. Paolo is a 19-year-old beast who most likely will be Orlando’s alpha go-to scorer for years to come. Paolo shined brightest on a Duke team with heavy NBA talent. When they were making their deep NCAA tourney run, his teammates and Coach K in his last season relied on Paolo when they needed buckets. Paolo is really mobile for someone 7-feet tall in shoes. He has an elite Paul Porter name and it’ll be fun hearing Paul play around with ‘Paolo Banchero’. WeltHamm traded our 35th pick to the Lakers for cash and a 2028 second rounder, but did pick at 32 another 19-year-old freshman in Michigan’s Caleb Houstan, a 6’8” guy who showed way more ability for Canada than for Juwan Howard’s Wolverines. Sound familiar? Franz Wagner-esque maybe? So we have these new additions. We potentially have our next star on a Dwight, Shaq, or Penny level. Now what? Free agency starts this week. Player option deadlines are June 29th. June 30th at 6pm is when free agency starts. Will WeltHamm mostly keep quiet, or will they try to build this team into a contender for a playoff spot now? Hopefully the latter. Do not rest on your laurels, Jeff and John. Plus, a rant. Breaking down what happened at the draft party at Amway Center. Free agent and trade target discussion. A Kevin Durant package. ESPN’s NBA Draft coverage, Summer League, and more! #LetsGoMagic Warning: Adult Language