Chet Holmgren Injury Could Clear Path For Paolo Banchero Winning Top Rookie Award

The Oklahoma City Thunder felt that they found the missing piece that they need to solidify their core of the future after drafting Chet Holmgren second overall in the 2022 NBA draft.

However, his career is already under threat as early as now after Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that he may have torn ligaments in his foot according to sources within the league and is "undergoing further opinions."

A follow-up report from the same website determined that Holmgren may have suffered the injury during a Jamal Crawford CrawsOver Pro-Am game recently–an event that was forced to stop early because of unsafe conditions on the hardwood.

They later added that the status of the court played a role in his injury.

As is with any foot injury in any professional sport, Holmgren could be missing a ton of time this season and possibly its entirety if the severity of his injury is deemed to be far great of a risk to play through.

With the former Gonzaga standout on the shelf for a potentially long amount of time, the first overall pick in Paolo Banchero could have a clearer shot at the league's Rookie of the Year award.

The Magic's shiny new prospect was already dazzling onlookers during the NBA's preseason tournament in just two games after averaging 20 points, five rebounds, six assists, 2.5 steals, and one block before the franchise decided that he did not need to play the rest of their games.

His best performance came against the Sacramento Kings on July 9 when he put up 23 points, six rebounds, six assists, four steals, and two blocks in 34 minutes–the most on the team for that game.

Both him and Holmgren were being pegged to be the top two bets for Rookie of the Year honors this season after they both showed out in preseason.

Granted the Magic are rife with centers and forwards, the franchise will surely be putting in more time in their top pick's development.

This could lead to pushing some more established players down the pecking order, with the most likely victim being Jonathan Isaac.

Isaac, 24, has been on the shelf since the 2020-21 season and his consistent injury concerns could put him in a difficult spot while youngsters like Banchero, Chuma Okeke and Caleb Houstan get more shine.

Banchero being given more minutes is only going to make him an even more potent weapon for the Magic in the future, but basketball fans would also want to see him test his mettle against Holmgren this season.