2022 NBA Mock Draft
1 Magic
Jabari Smith SF/PF Auburn
It seems like a no-brainer the Magic would go with the Auburn star. Smith is versatile and can shoot it for his size, checking all the boxes for a No. 1 overall pick. He figures to be a game-changer for a rebuilding Magic franchise that will have its most prominent star since Dwight Howard.
2 Thunder
Chet Holmgren PF Gonzaga
A no-brainer pick here for the Thunder as they pick a seven-footer with a 7-6 wingspan that can contribute to a team looking to take the next step in its rebuild. Holmgren figures to be a defensive menace that will be versatile on offense.
3 Rockets Paolo Banchero PF/C Duke
Arguably the best prospect in the draft class Banchero has all the tools to be the most successful player in this class. The Rockets already have Jalen Green, who has shown flashes, and now will have a duo to evaluate them in the West.
4 King Keegan Murray PF/C Iowa
(potential trade-down pick)
After no-brainers at picks 1-3, the NBA Draft starts here. There are a lot of rumors that the Kings may trade this pick to teams looking to trade up. The King has been linked to Murray and Jaden Ivy, but they need another big man to pair with Domantas Sabonis.
5 Pistons Jaden Ivy PG/SG
If the first four picks are correct, the Pistons should celebrate getting a guard who excels in pick-and-roll situations and playmaking. An Ivy and Cade Cunningham could be lethal immediately in the Eastern Conference.
6 Pacers Bennedict Mathurin SG/SF
Mathurin is 19 but is a weapon in the open court with the ability to get to the rim. With rumors of Malcolm Brogdon and Myles Turner being on the trade block, Mathurin can contribute immediately with Tyrese Haliburton in the fold.
7 Trail Blazers Dyson Daniels G League PG
The need for a guard after trading CJ McCollum to help Damian Lillard is a big one and this pick fills that need but a trade could happen here as well.
8 Pelicans Ousmane Dieng SF/SF New Zealand Breakers
The first reach of the draft for the Pelicans, a team that is on the rise in the Western Conference and may not have as many needs as the teams in the lottery. Dieng is linked here because he impressed in his pre-draft workout, and at picks like these, that’s enough to get selected.
9 Spurs Shaedon Sharpe SG Kentucky
Sharpe reminds me a lot of Bradley Beal in terms of his game, and with the Spurs potentially trading Dejoute Murray the pick only make sense here.
10 Wizards Johnny Davis PG/SG Wisconsin
This pick can go many different ways for a team in desperate need of a point guard. Davis, the Big Ten player of the year, excels at all three levels and can handle the physicality of the NBA.
11 Knicks A.J. Griffin PF Duke (potential trade back)
The Knicks need a guard may have to hit the trade market to do so. This pick figures to be a best player on the board type pick,
12 Thunder Jermey Sochan PF Baylor
A solid defensive player that adds to the Thunder’s ever-growing team, already adding Chet Holmgren to the fold.
13 Hornets Mark Williams C Duke
Playing just up the road at Duke, Williams a guy with a motor and can be a game changer fills a nice need at center for the Hornets who pick again at No. 15.
14 Cavs Ochai Agbaji SF Kansas
With this pick, a potential 3-D player who anchored a national championship team, the Cavs take Agbaji and get some size and shooting.
15 Hornets Tari Eason PF LSU
Eason is an explosive guy who can be a solid role player to the Hornets young core.
16 Hawks Jalen Williams SF Santa Clara (potential trade down)]
Williams seems like the most logical pick on a team that is linked to trading for a star for Trae Young.
17 Rockets MarJon Beauchamp SG/SF G-League
Beauchamp had a good workout with the Rockets and despite him being linked to their pick at 26, he may not be there. So, this pick could be a reach to get their guy.
18 Bulls Malaki Branham SG Ohio State
Not an ideal spot to be in here for the Bulls, so its another best player available to reinforce their backcourt.
19 Wolves Walker Kessler C Auburn
Pair him up with Karl-Anthony- Towns and you’ve got a good front court adding a rim-protector and an inside scorer.
20 Spurs Jalen Duran C Memphis
Most likely could go earlier but this pick would be perfect for the Spurs.
21 Nuggets Dalen Terry PG/SG Arizona
Terry figures to be the pick here for a team in need of some guard depth.
22 Grizzlies Ty Ty Washington PG/SG Kentucky
Washington has the tools to be a special guard five years from now. You add that to Ja Morant and the Grizzlies will one\ce again be contenders in the Western Conference.
23 76ers Wendall Moore Jr. SF Duke
76ers could use a wing player and Moore Jr. fits that bill with a seven-foot wingspan.
24 Bucks E.J. Liddel PF Ohio State
Picking a forward like Liddel should be a priority for a team in need of some depth there for the future.
25 Spurs Kennedy Chandler PG Tennessee
An underrated guard goes off the board who had lottery potential and adds more dynamic to the Spurs backcourt.
26
