After NBA lottery, where experts project Auburn basketball's Jabari Smith in mock drafts

AUBURN — Mock drafts aren't complete guesses anymore.

The 2022 NBA Draft lottery Tuesday night solidified the teams making the first 14 picks, and that has an especially important bearing on this year's talent pool considering the three-sided debate over the No. 1 overall pick.

Auburn basketball's Jabari Smith is part of that trio, with Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren and Duke's Paolo Banchero.

After the lottery, an immediate mock draft from ESPN's Jonathan Givony projected Smith at No. 1 overall to the Orlando Magic. The Oklahoma City Thunder will pick second, followed by the Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings and Detroit Pistons rounding out the top five.

"Jabari Smith is an elite jump shooter," ESPN's Jay Bilas said. "High release. He reminds you of Kevin Durant. Excellent athlete. He can guard multiple positions and protect the rim.”

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Follow along here to track where Smith lands in other post-lottery mock drafts.

ESPN's Jonathan Givony: No. 1, Orlando Magic.

The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor: No. 2, Oklahoma City Thunder.

"Hard worker with an unblockable jump shot and elite versatility on defense, making him a safe pick who still possesses star upside."

USA TODAY's Jeff Zillgitt: No. 1, Orlando Magic.

"Smith is a fantastic offensive player who can score off the dribble and with his jump shot – either from 3-point range or mid-range. At his size, he is difficult to defend. It will tough for a team to pass on Smith because of his upside and potential to make an immediate impact."

CBS Sports' Kyle Boone: No. 2, Oklahoma City Thunder.

"The exact type of prospect who'd fit next to an already-set backcourt of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey."

CBS Sports' Gary Parrish: No. 3, Houston Rockets.

"Smith still needs to develop in lots of ways but he's already a great shooter and switchable defender who plays with great energy."

The Athletic's Sam Vecenie: No. 1, Orlando Magic.

"Smith is my favorite prospect in the class because he possesses the combination of skills that are most in-demand in the current NBA. ... Smith must improve as a passer and ballhandler attacking the rim. He was a good but not great finisher, and he hasn’t shown an ability to make multi-layered passing reads. But I think he’s the safest prospect in this class."

On3's Jamie Shaw: No. 3, Houston Rockets.

NBA.com's consensus mock draft: No. 1, Orlando Magic.

This story will be updated.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Jabari Smith: NBA draft 2022 mocks. Auburn star to Orlando Magic?