Magic on the clock as NBA Draft begins on TSN

NEW YORK (AP) — Paolo Banchero thinks he should be No. 1. Jabari Smith Jr. is sure he won't go beyond No. 2. Chet Holmgren would be happy with either.

The freshmen have been considered the top three players available, in some order, in the NBA draft. The Orlando Magic will determine who goes first on Thursday night, with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets slated to follow.

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Smith, who led Auburn to its first No. 1 ranking, gives a slight edge to himself but is impressed by all three.

“I think I’m perfect because just my ability to affect both sides of the ball and my ability to knock down shots and affect winning at such an early age and early part of my game,” Smith said. “So I feel like that’s why I’m the No. 1 pick. Those guys are great watching them all season, just how unselfish they are and how much they contributed to their teams so early.”

Assuming they are gone in the top three spots, that's when the mystery could start up.

The Sacramento Kings hold the No. 4 pick, a spot that produced last season's Rookie of the Year in Toronto forward Scottie Barnes. They could have players such as Purdue guard Jaden Ivey and Iowa forward Keegan Murray to choose among, though it's unclear which way the Kings might be leaning — or even if they will make the pick at all instead of trading it.

Ivey, an athletic guard who tries to pattern his game like Ja Morant and Russell Westbrook, said he hasn't spoken with the Kings and doesn't sound as if he'd be overly enthused with a conversation.

“If I got drafted there, it wouldn’t be the worst option,” Ivey said. “I can’t pick, I’m not the GM who picks the guys, so I’m kind of just trying to just enjoy this process and