It wasn’t just fans and media who were surprised by the draft-day switch of Paolo Banchero going No. 1 to the Orlando Magic and Jabari Smith Jr. going No. 3 to the Rockets. In a new interview with Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, Banchero admits that he was caught offguard, as well.
“That’s kind of where my mind was at, and I was fine with it,” Banchero said of his anticipated selection at No. 3 in the first round. “In Houston, I would say that’s where my head was at that time.”
Banchero, who often spoke with longtime friends Jalen Green and Josh Christopher about potentially joining the Rockets, said he was unaware of Orlando’s interest until a Zoom call within 48 hours of the draft.
