A first look at the 2022 NBA Draft class in our NBA Mock Draft 1.0.
The 2022 NBA Draft may still be roughly eight months away, but it’s never too early to get ready for the next crop of players that are set to take the Association by storm. As College Basketball continues to get in full swing, we get to know a few of the top prospects in our first NBA Mock Draft of the season.
Of note, we will be using general NBA standings through the first month of the season. No lottery, just straight-up draft projected positioning based on the current standings in the league.
At this stage in the draft process, if you even want to call it that, it’s important to begin to familiarize yourself with the names that will likely dictate the top of the draft – perhaps a few that will end up being household names in the league in just a few months.
We begin with the Houston Rockets, who have a nice core of young talent, that will be looking to build on what appears to be a historically bad campaign. Here is our NBA Mock Draft 1.0.
1. Houston Rockets – Paolo Banchero, F, Duke
Considering that the Houston Rockets’ biggest need will likely be at the wing or point guard position, it wouldn’t be surprising to see this team go off chalk with this selection but at least for the time being I believe that Paolo Banchero should be the consensus No. 1 pick.
At least for the time being, Banchero has been one of the most impressive collegiate basketball players through the season thus far as he’s averaging 18 points and eight rebounds per game on 55 percent shooting from the field.
With Christian Wood already intertwined with this core, Banchero wouldn’t exactly be the most sensible of fits for the Rockets but he’s certainly the best player in this draft class this early in the process.
2. New Orleans Pelicans – Jaden Hardy, G, G League
For the New Orleans Pelicans, hitting with this No. 2 overall pick or not could be the difference in this team having to hit the hard reset next season or continuing with this build around Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson.
Jaden Hardy is an interesting pick as there are some similarities between him and Jalen Green, perhaps none more than the fact that Hardy decided to follow Green’s footsteps in deciding against college to play in the NBA G League instead.
Hardy is a scoring machine and the offensively gifted guard averaged 30 points, nine rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game during his junior season in high school – he didn’t play during his senior season of high school due to a myriad of non-basketball reasons. Hardy was the No. 2 ranked high school player.
3. Orlando Magic – Jabari Smith Jr., F, Auburn
Through the first few games of his collegiate career, Jabari Smith Jr. is already a name that is gaining some buzz amongst the draft community. He has great size, athleticism, and has proven that he can be electric on the offensive end of the floor.
For the Orlando Magic, Smith could be an option in the top 3. They are still trying to identify which players on the team could be considered franchise cornerstones and I don’t think there is any set in stone.
This is purely the best player available selection and Smith would fit the mold with what the Magic should be building. Smith is averaging 15 points and seven rebounds on 46 percent shooting from the field overall and 41 percent shooting from 3-point range.
4. Detroit Pistons – Chet Holmgren, C, Gonzaga
The Detroit Pistons have had a rough start to the season but since the return of Cade Cunningham, the team has been playing slightly better. That doesn’t mean that they’re going to improve their draft position much, however.
With a top 5 pick, the Pistons should get another high-quality prospect that the team could add to this young core. One interesting possibility that the team could add is Chet Holmgren. He’s also arguably the most interesting prospect in this year’s NBA Draft class.
He’s 7-feet tall and less than 200 pounds. He has the possibility to be the league’s next unicorn as he does a little of everything when he’s on the floor – including protecting the rim. Through his first few games as a freshman at Gonzaga, Holmgren is averaging 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and nearly four blocks per game.
5. San Antonio Spurs – Jalen Duren, C, Memphis
As the San Antonio Spurs head into a new era of basketball, perhaps without Gregg Popovich moving forward, adding a high-ceiling prospect would be the way to go. Jalen Duren makes sense for a team that needs some hope for the future at the frontcourt.
Duren has all the physical measurables that you want from a big in the modern game – he’s 6-foot-11 and has a 7-plus-foot wingspan. Considering his physical ability and athleticism, Duren has already gotten comparisons to Bam Adebayo.
The ceiling is high for him and he’s already proving that during his first few games at Memphis, averaging 11 points and nine rebounds on 65 percent shooting from the field.
6. Oklahoma City Thunder – Jaden Ivey, G, Purdue
Getting a quality No. 2 (with all respect to Josh Giddey, who has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his rookie season) for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should be the priority for the Oklahoma City Thunder heading into the 2022 NBA Draft.
One potential fit or target for the team should be Jaden Ivey. And through the first few games of his sophomore season, he’s already beginning to catch the eye of draft scouts. Ivey is a great athlete and has great size for a guard at 6-foot-4.
He’s also made improvements to his game from his freshman to sophomore season. He’s become a better playmaker – he’s averaging nearly four assists per game this season, compared to just two last season – and has put in the work when it comes to his shooting. He’s shooting the 3 at a 43 percent clip compared to just 26 percent last season.
7. Sacramento Kings – Kendall Brown, F, Baylor
As is always the case for the Sacramento Kings at the NBA Draft, it’s almost impossible to predict what they’re going to do. However, they should probably look for some help in the frontcourt, especially if there’s a chance they move on from Harrison Barnes anytime soon.
One potential target in the top 10 is Kendall Brown. Brown is a 6-foot-8 freshman out of Baylor that is averaging 14 points and four rebounds per game on 72 percent shooting from the field so far this season.
Brown still needs to show that he can extend his range consistently to the 3-point line and that he can rebound at a much higher rate for a player his size. Nevertheless, Brown should be a good selection for any team in the lottery.
8. Indiana Pacers – Patrick Baldwin Jr., G, Wisconsin-Milwaukee
As one of the more highly-touted prospects out of high school, Patrick Baldwin Jr. is absolutely a player that could rise up draft boards as the 2022 NBA Draft gets closer and closer. And considering that he’s not playing at a big school, it adds all the more intrigue to his pre-draft story.
Through four games, Baldwin is averaging 15 points and eight rebounds per game. At least for now, his shooting numbers are a bit troubling – he’s only shooting 37 percent f from the field overall and 25 percent from 3-point range.
If he’s going to be a top 10 pick, you’d have to assume that he’s going to need to find his stride when it comes to more efficient scoring numbers. Even though his size and athleticism are something that NBA teams will covet, he needs to be an efficient scorer to truly separate himself as a prospect.
9. Cleveland Cavaliers – Trevor Keels, G, Duke
What do you know; Duke has two potential top 10 selections in the NBA Draft again. This time, it’s Trevor Keels who is a talented guard that has a high ceiling. Keels has good size, is strong, and is only beginning to get comfortable at Duke.
Much like many other players on this list, he needs to improve his efficiency but is averaging 12 points, four rebounds, and three assists on 36 percent shooting. Keels is what makes Duke special and his intangibles are what will make him attractive at the NBA Draft.
Keels will likely play himself into being a top 10 pick but he has a ceiling in which he can rise even higher than that.
10. Toronto Raptors – Caleb Houstan, F, Michigan
The Toronto Raptors will likely select in the NBA Draft Lottery once again this season and have a strong foundation of building blocks. Adding another top 10 pick should have this franchise in a very good place moving forward.
Considering that this is a franchise that has fallen in love with length and potential, one target that would fall in line with their recent picks is Caleb Houstan. He is a 6-foot-8 wing that was touted to have the potential to develop into a great shooter.
He still has plenty of ground to make up when it comes to his shooting – at least that’s what the statistics would tell you early on into his year at Michigan – but the potential is there. Through his first few games at Michigan, Houstan is averaging nine points and five rebounds on just 29 percent shooting from 3.
11. Denver Nuggets – Peyton Watson, F, UCLA
The Denver Nuggets’ future should seriously be in question due to the injuries to Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. Even though not many will expect this team to be picking in the lottery, if it were to happen, you have to trust the Nuggets to make the right selection.
One potential target for the Nuggets, especially with the injury to MPJ, is Peyton Watson. Watson is an interesting prospect as he’s likely not going to put up gaudy numbers this season at UCLA – he’s not a starter and has only averaged 15 minutes per game through the first eight contests.
The hope is that his role with the Bruins is going to grow over the course of the season and that will likely ultimately determine whether or not Watson ends up being a lottery pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
12. Memphis Grizzlies (via Los Angeles) – Jean Montero, G, Overtime Elite
The Memphis Grizzlies have one of the brightest futures of all the young, rising teams in the Western Conference. A big reason why is the continued development of Ja Morant. Although, the franchise needs to find a legit running mate for him this offseason – with all respect to Jaren Jackson Jr.
Jean Montero is a potential pick late in the lottery. Though, his pre-draft rise or fall should be interesting. He has elected to bypass college and pay for Overtime Elite, which is a startup league that will be in direct competition with the NCAA.
Montero is a 6-foot-2 guard that is already making waves at Overtime Elite. He has shown the ability to be a go-to scorer and playmaker.
13. Boston Celtics – Kennedy Chandler, G, Tennessee
The Boston Celtics have struggled to start the season and their future is very much in flux. It wouldn’t be surprising for them to make some big personnel changes this offseason if they were to miss the playoffs.
Should they get a top 14 pick, they could take advantage of some untapped talent that will emerge from the college ranks. One potential target could be Kennedy Chandler, who is a 6-foot guard out of Tennessee.
During his six games so far Tennessee, Chandler is averaging 14 points and five assists per game on 49 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent shooting from 3-point range. He’d be an interesting fit to a Celtics team that could look to be retooling during the offseason.
14. Atlanta Hawks – Matthew Cleveland, G, Florida State
Making a selection toward the end of the lottery is all about potential. And that’s exactly what selecting Matthew Cleveland would be for the Atlanta Hawks at No. 14. Cleveland is long and has the potential to be an interesting project for any team at the next level.
Cleveland has the potential to be a better pro than he is a better college season and the Hawks would be a good landing spot for him.
Cleveland is averaging 11 points and four rebounds on 49 percent shooting from the field through the first seven games for the Seminoles. And that’s in roughly only 22 minutes of action per game thus far.
15. Memphis Grizzlies – Keegan Murray, F, Iowa
The Grizzlies will likely have two first-round picks as they attempt to continue to build around Ja Morant. Keegan Murray would be a solid selection at No. 15 as he’s an interesting wing prospect out of Iowa.
Murray is averaging 25 points and nine rebounds per game on 61 percent shooting from the field.
16. Minnesota Timberwolves – TyTy Washington, G, Kentucky
The Minnesota Timberwolves have shown some promise this season and building off their success this season will be imperative to them taking the next step as a franchise. TyTy Washington is likely a middle first-round pick.
Washington is a 6-foot-3 guard that is averaging 15 points, five rebounds, and three assists per game on 52 percent shooting from the field and 44 percent shooting from 3-point range.
17. Philadelphia 76ers – Bryce McGowens, G, Nebraska
It’s likely that Ben Simmons has played his last game as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers and if they are smart, they will spend the next offseason looking for his replacement in the backcourt. Bryce McGowens could be worth taking a flier on.
McGowens is a 6-foot-7 guard that is averaging 19 points and seven rebounds per game for Nebraska.
18. Chicago Bulls (via Portland) – Bennedict Mathurin, F, Arizona
The Chicago Bulls have been on the come-up this season and anything they could add in the 2022 NBA Draft would be, as the kids say, gravy. Adding some depth on the wing is never a bad blue printed heading into the draft. One potential target is Bennedict Mathurin.
Mathurin upped his 3-point attempts this season and his efficiency went down. That, at the very least, is something to monitor heading forward this season.
19. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LA Clippers) – Mark Williams, C, Duke
The Oklahoma City Thunder need help across the board, so taking the best player available should probably be the thinking at this point in the first round.
Mark Williams out of Duke could be a candidate here for the Thunder as they look to continue to build around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Williams is a true 7-footer with rim-protection ability.
20. New York Knicks – JD Davison, G, Alabama
The New York Knicks’ plan for the point guard position didn’t exactly plan out – the move for Kemba Walker didn’t exactly work out as they had hoped – so it wouldn’t be surprising for them to try again in the 2022 NBA Draft.
JD Davison could be a potential pick.
21. Milwaukee Bucks – Dyson Daniels, G, G League
The Milwaukee Bucks won’t have any glaring needs heading into the offseason so they can take a huge chance late in the first round. One of the most interesting prospects is Dyson Daniels, who chose to play for the G League over college.
Daniels is a 6-foot-6 guard out of Australia.
22. Dallas Mavericks – Max Christie, G, Michigan State
Looking for a backcourt mate for Luka Doncic will be of the utmost priority this offseason for the Dallas Mavericks. For as good as Tim Hardway Jr. has been, he’s probably best in a No. 3 or 4 role.
Christie is averaging just eight points and three rebounds per game so far this season but his potential is there for him to be a first-round pick.
23. New York Knicks (via Charlotte) – Ochai Agbaji, F, Kansas
After taking a guard, the New York Knicks should look to bolster their depth at the wing position. And could do so by taking one of the more intriguing talents in Ochai Agbaji. During his senior season with the Jayhawks, Agbaji is averaging 23 points and four rebounds on 56 percent shooting from the field and 44 percent shooting from 3-point range.
24. Washington Wizards – Wendell Moore, F, Duke
The Washington Wizards selecting another Duke player? Hey, we’ve seen it before, and the Blue Devils have one of the most talented rosters in college basketball. Nevertheless, Wendell Moore could be a solid player at the next level.
Moore has been highly productive during his junior season at Duke, averaging 18 points and six assists per game.
25. Chicago Bulls – Daimion Collins, F, Kentucky
With a second first-round pick for the Chicago Bulls, adding depth is the goal here. Daimion Collins would be a good selection. He’s long and has the potential to be a great defender and is already there in terms of shot-blocking. Still, he’s an extremely raw prospect.
26. Houston Rockets (via Miami) – Nikola Jovic, F, Serbia
The Houston Rockets aren’t afraid to take chances and taking a shot on arguably the best and most talented player from overseas in Nikola Jovic would be a good selection.
Side note: I have a theory that Nikola Jovic’s name is too similar to Nikola Jokic’s name that he’s set up to not be a star at the NBA level. It’s weird and may not make sense and, hopefully, he proves me wrong, but it’s out there now.
27. Memphis Grizzlies (via Utah) – Allen Flanigan, F, Auburn
After an Achilles injury, the hope is that Allen Flanigan returns to the court at some point in December. Flanigan should be a strong contributor for the Tigers this season if he can successfully return to health.
28. Miami Heat (via Brooklyn) – A.J. Griffin, F, Duke
We know how much the Miami Heat loves Duke prospects and how much they love reclamation projects. A.J. Griffin would give the Heat the best of both of those worlds. Griffin has struggled with injuries throughout his young career and has been brought on slowly by Duke during his freshman season.
He’s a raw prospect but has the athleticism for a wing that you almost have to take in the first round.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Phoenix) – Jaime Jaquez Jr., G, UCLA
Jaime Jaquez Jr. is not a lock to be a first-round pick but he could play his way up there by the time the 2022 NBA Draft comes around. The Thunder taking a flier on him would be a solid move. Jaquez is averaging 14 points and six rebounds per game on 47 percent shooting from the field.
30. Golden State Warriors – Justin Lewis, F, Marquette
It’s actually quite amazing that the Golden State Warriors are, once again, arguably the best team in the league. Look for them to possibly add another wing to try and fortify this team – especially in the event Andrew Wiggins is either traded or not re-signed after next season.
Justin Lewis could be a potential fit. He’s averaging 16 points and eight rebounds on 47 percent shooting from the field.