Twitter reacts to the Orlando Magic passing on Jabari Smith

Former Auburn star Jabari Smith Jr. was selected third overall by the Houston Rockets after being projected to go first to the Orlando Magic.

Smith will join the Rockets, who posted the worst record in the NBA (20-62) in 2021. He will play alongside Jalen Green, a former Auburn prospect who committed to the G League over the Tigers.

Twitter was shocked when the selection was announced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver. Some of them are priceless. Here are some of the reactions.

The Rockets just said, "Thank you, Orlando. Much appreciated, Thunder." And happily let Jabari Smith fall into their laps.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) June 24, 2022

Jabari Smith is going to make this the worst day in Orlando Magic history
— Kyle (@AllAubarn) June 24, 2022

tired: Jabari Smith and Chuma Okeke playing together in Orlando

wired: Jabari Smith and Auburn legend Jalen Green playing together in Houston
— Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonAU) June 24, 2022

Orlando Magic for the last 2 months having everyone believe it was going to be Jabari Smith Jr. pic.twitter.com/Ee6rr92O0e
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) June 24, 2022

The Houston Rockets committed felony level grand theft getting Jabari Smith at #3. His game is nowhere near its ceiling and we already know he’s about that work. Orlando and Oklahoma City will look back on this day with a mountain of regret while Jabari lights up the league.
— Mike G. (@mikegittens) June 24, 2022

I promise you @HoustonRockets fans, you want an angry Jabari Smith. This kid is about to spend his entire life to make Orlando and OKC regret the decision to pass on him.
— 𝕏 P00C (@QUAAAAD) June 24, 2022

I’m an Orlando Magic fan, but Jabari Smith’s route to a dominant role and stardom might be easier elsewhere, and the “change of plans” doesn’t impact his ceiling.

This probably doesn’t benefit Auburn as much as a No. 1 pick, but it might help Smith more.
— Jay Phillips (@aubawn) June 24, 2022

"I don't see myself falling below two”

- Jabari Smith Jr. on why he didn't schedule any workouts outside of Orlando and Oklahoma City.
— Israel (@iohandles) June 24, 2022

Jabari Smith and the #Rockets will open Summer League play against Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic on July 7th. Two weeks from tonight.
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) June 24, 2022

Chet Holgram went before Jabari Smith. 😂That is going to be mocked in about 5 years.
— Jacob P (@jake21384) June 24, 2022

The Twittersphere does not seem pleased with Orlando's selection, as the Magic were slated for weeks to take Smith at the top. It should also be noted that Paolo Banchero never worked out with Orlando. Surprisingly, Jabari Smith never worked out with he Rockets, be cause he believed that he would not fall below the second overall pick.

Still, Tiger fans should be pleased. This is Auburn basketball's highest draft pick in program history, a pick above Chuck Person, who went No. 4 in the 1986 draft. This is history.

Smith averaged 16.9 points per game in his one and only season with the Auburn Tigers, earning SEC Freshman of the Year and consensus All-American honors. He is Auburn's fourth draft pick of the Bruce Pearl era (Chuma Okeke in 2019, Isaac Okoro in 2020, Sharife Cooper and JT Thor in 2021).