The legacy of the 2022 NBA draft may be centered around the drama that played out at the top, as the Magic shocked many by taking Duke’s Paolo Banchero over Auburn’s Jabari Smith and Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren with the first pick. But one of the things that made this draft unique was how wide-open the back half of the first round and early second round were. The gap in talent between No. 20 and No. 40 in this year’s draft felt smaller than normal, which presents some great opportunities to get a steal that can impact winning early in their careers.
Which players have the best chance to exceed their draft position and make a major impact at the next level? Let’s dive into the biggest steals of this year’s draft class.
