The 2022 NBA Draft is only a couple of months away. While all eyes are on the jampacked NBA Playoffs, lottery teams like the Indiana Pacers are sure to have already hopped on the draft wagon.
In our first mock draft, Alex Golden projected how the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft could unfold for all teams using the odds-based lottery order. For this second edition, we will be using a Tankathon simulator to spice things up.
2022 NBA Draft Mock 2.0: Picks 1-5
1. Oklahoma City Thunder – Paolo Banchero | PF | Duke | 6’10” | 250 LBS
The Oklahoma City Thunder have continued their rampant stream of draft picks in another rebuilding year, but Paolo Banchero’s all-around game and versatility at the 4, a position of need for OKC, could take them instantly from a bottom dweller to at least a play-in contender in the West should they attempt to be competitive next season.
2. Indiana Pacers – Jabari Smith | PF | Auburn | 6’10” | 210 LBS
No surprises here. I have already mentioned before why Jabari Smith should be the Pacers’ primary draft target, and this still holds true. There’s simply too much ceiling with Smith’s unique skillset that Indiana should never hesitate to grab him when he’s still on the board.
3. Houston Rockets – Chet Holmgren | PF/C | Gonzaga | 7’0” | 190 LBS
The Houston Rockets can afford to go with fit here. Luckily, Chet Holmgren doesn’t only fit them, but he arguably boasts the highest potential among all prospects in the draft. His physique may put off some, but the mystique as a uniquely mobile seven-footer with wing-like skills makes him a worthwhile gamble.
4. Orlando Magic – Jaden Ivey | SG | Purdue | 6’4” | 200 LBS
This is where it gets tricky for the Orlando Magic. Already having three quality young guards in Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, and Markelle Fultz, the Magic would probably prefer to pick a frontcourt piece. However, Jaden Ivey’s dynamic play as a designated scorer is too strong to sidestep. Pick the best player available and make the tough choices later, Orlando.
5. Detroit Pistons – Shaedon Sharpe | SG | Kentucky | 6’6” | 200 LBS
Like the Magic, the Detroit Pistons probably prefer a frontcourt prospect, but unlike them, they are still incentivized to pick a guard. Fortunately for them, Cade Cunningham needs another running mate in the backcourt, and Shaedon Sharpe has all the tools to be his ideal complement, if not co-star.
2022 NBA Draft Mock 2.0: Picks 6-10
6. Portland Trail Blazers – Keegan Murray | PF | Iowa | 6’8” | 225 LBS
Outside the troika of frontcourt prospects up top, Keegan Murray is arguably the best forward still on the board. With the Portland Trail Blazers completely missing a solid power forward, the Iowa standout could help Portland regroup around Damian Lillard quickly with his scoring acumen and rebounding.
7. Sacramento Kings – Bennedict Mathurin | SG | Arizona | 6’6” | 210 LBS
The Sacramento Kings have a solid core of De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and Davion Mitchell, but their wing rotation is lacking, especially if they fail to retain Donte DiVincenzo. Benedict Mathurin makes a lot of sense at this juncture, giving the Kings a long and athletic scoring option who can take the pressure off their primary creators.
8. New Orleans Pelicans (from LAL) – AJ Griffin | SF | Duke | 6’7” | 222 LBS
The New Orleans Pelicans are loaded with young talent right now, but thanks to the AD trade, they can get even richer. AJ Griffin may not fit a position of need for them right now, and could be a risky pick with his injury history, but the Pels can afford to value ceiling more, and Griffin is a wonderful defensive player and a very reliable perimeter weapon.
9. San Antonio Spurs – Jalen Duren | C | Memphis | 6’11” | 250 LBS
Few teams need a big man boost more than the San Antonio Spurs. While Jakob Poeltl has been a very solid starting center for them, the Spurs are one of the best drafting teams in the league, and taking a high-ceiling prospect like Jalen Duren, who fills an urgent need, is right up their alley, just like how they took a good gamble with Josh Primo last year.
10. Washington Wizards – TyTy Washington | PG/SG | Kentucky | 6’3” | 185 LBS
TyTy Washington’s draft forecasts have wildly varied, but he’s the clear-cut best point guard left in a rather thin pool of floor generals in the draft. The Washington Wizards’ point guard rotation simply lacks quality and oomph, and the Kentucky standout could immediately contribute heavily for the Wiz next season.
2022 NBA Draft Mock 2.0: Picks 11-15
11. New York Knicks – Johnny Davis | SG | Wisconsin | 6’5” | 190 LBS
The New York Knicks stunk this season. With their future suddenly appearing bleaker, they should bank on the best available talent left at this point as the core of their NBA Draft strategy. Johnny Davis stood out this year in the college scene, and his craftiness as a scorer could shine even brighter in the Big Apple.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from LAC) – Jeremy Sochan | PF | Baylor | 6’9” | 230 LBS
No changes here. Jeremy Sochan is one hell of a defender and scrapper. OKC could very well have a top-tier frontcourt prospect already before they make this call, but he has all the tools to be a very good contributor in the league for a long time. Now, imagine him next to Luguentz Dort. Chambers!
13. Charlotte Hornets – Tari Eason | PF | LSU | 6’8” | 216 LBS
The Charlotte Hornets have some question marks heading to the offseason, specifically with the contract status of Miles Bridges. With PJ Washington also a likely trade candidate, the Hornets should zoom in on Tari Eason at 13, whose defense will be a massive boost to one of the worst defensive units in the league.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers – Ousmane Dieng | SG/SF | New Zealand | 6’9” | 216 LBS
After narrowly missing the playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers should not overreact and keep on building. There’s few substantial needle movers at the end of the lottery for a win-now team like the Cavs, but taking a gamble on Ousmane Dieng, a lengthy wing who plays stout defense, will not only bring intrigue to their ceiling, but also a prospect who fits perfectly with their unconventional lineups.
15. Charlotte Hornets (from NOP) – Ochai Agbaji | SG | Kansas | 6’5” | 214 LBS
The center position remains a point of concern for the Charlotte Hornets, but they may seek refuge in the trade market instead as they attempt to climb back to the playoffs urgently. The Hornets do not need more scoring, but Ochai Agbaji should be a quality bench piece for the meantime who can slide in as a starter should they streamline their semi-logjam in the backcourt.
2022 NBA Draft Mock 2.0: Picks 16-20
16. Atlanta Hawks – Kendall Brown | SF | Baylor | 6’8” | 205 LBS
Another Baylor standout, Kendall Brown is one of the best gets after the lottery. Touting a mature offensive game and handy defensive skills, he should be a good fit with the Atlanta Hawks, where he could thrive as an off-ball player who thrives off cuts and lobs.
17. Houston Rockets (from BKN) – Dyson Daniels | SG | G League | 6’6” | 170 LBS
Eric Gordon’s time in Houston could be coming to a halt, warranting the need for a wing replacement. The Rockets have a shortage in the playmaking department with their players mostly pure scorers, and Dyson Daniels can provide that boost, alongside some lifting on the defensive end.
18. Chicago Bulls – Mark Williams | C | Duke | 7’0” | 243 LBS
The Chicago Bulls badly need size. Their frontcourt currently lives and dies with Nikola Vucevic, which is a risky proposition for their standing as a playoff team in the East. Thus, they should take a hard look at Duke’s Mark Williams, a traditional big man who rebounds well and is quite mobile on defense.
19. Minnesota Timberwolves – EJ Liddell | PF | Ohio State | 6’7” | 240 LBS
jarred Vanderbilt has been wonderful for the Minnesota Timberwolves this year, but he remains as the weakest link in their starting group. EJ Liddell from Ohio State will not usurp him right off the bat, but he is a great addition for them at this point because of what he can bring to the table defensively.
20. San Antonio Spurs (from TOR) – Nikola Jovic | PF | Mega Bemax | 6’10” | 209 LBS
This is a classic San Antonio pick. Known for nurturing international talents, Nikola Jovic from Serbia could quickly become a Gregg Popovich favorite with his combination of length, skill, and versatility, adding a much-needed size and flair to a growing Spurs team currently on the outside looking in.
2022 NBA Draft Mock 2.0: Picks 21-25
21. Denver Nuggets – Malaki Branham | SG | Ohio State | 6’5” | 195 LBS
The Denver Nuggets will probably have an early playoff exit, and they will have to amplify their roster accounting for their injured stars. Drafting Ohio State’s Malaki Branham could be the first step, as he is among the most composed prospects in this class with his deadly perimeter game, consistency on defense, and great intangibles.
22. Memphis Grizzlies (from UTA) – Jaden Hardy | SG | G League | 6’4” | 190 LBS
Prognoses on Jaden Hardy’s spot in the 2022 NBA Draft have been inconsistent due to his subpar season in the G-League. There safer picks than this one, but the Memphis Grizzlies have a great development staff that can maximize his abilities, especially as a scorer. If the Grizz move on from Tyus Jones and have De’Anthony Melton assume his role, Hardy can even sneak into a rotation spot early on.
23. Brooklyn Nets (from PHI) – Jean Montero | PG | Dominican Republic | 6’3” | 175 LBS
Being virtual locks for an early playoff exit, the Brooklyn Nets have to reload their roster on the margins for next season. With Kyrie Irving not being the most available player, and Patty Mills and Goran Dragic on clear declines, they may be enticed to go with a point guard like Jean Montero, who is tabbed to be one of the bets international prospects in the draft.
24. Milwaukee Bucks – Blake Wesley | SG | Notre Dame | 6’5” | 185 LBS
A good number of Milwaukee Bucks fans want Blake Wesley with the 25th pick, which is actually a very realistic landing spot for the combo guard. A very good scorer inside the arc, he could supply the Bucks with added rim pressure for defenses. Better yet, his three-point stroke should develop in Mike Budenholzer’s system which favors shooters.
25. San Antonio Spurs (from BOS) – Patrick Baldwin Jr. | SF/PF | Milwaukee | 6’10” | 205 LBS
The Spurs badly need size to shore up their undersized lineups. San Antonio should be a perfect destination for Patrick Baldwin Jr. who, despite posting underwhelming numbers this year, remains an intriguing prospect with his physical tools and an all-around skillset that could fit well in the Spurs’ switchy schemes.
2022 NBA Draft Mock 2.0: Picks 26-30
26. Dallas Mavericks – Ismael Kamagate | C | France | 6’11” | 220 LBS
The Dallas Mavericks have been just fine on both ends of the floor even without an above-average center, but they have to improve their current crop of big men in Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber. And with their penchant for international talents in the NBA Draft, nabbing Frenchman Ismael Kamagate, who is mobile defender and can hit perimeter shots, could be beneficial for them.
27. Miami Heat – Marjon Beauchamp | SG/SF | G League | 6’6” 199 LBS
The Miami Heat love their shooters. Three-point marksmen who can defend in space are tailor-made for Erik Spoelstra’s equal opportunity, three-point heavy offense, which makes Marjon Beauchamp such a perfect fit in South Beach.
28. Golden State Warriors – Walker Kessler | C | Auburn | 7’1” | 245 LBS
With James Wiseman still shelved, the Golden State Warriors have a really thin center rotation composed of Kevon Looney and Nemanja Bjelica. Drafting Auburn’s Walker Kessler, a skilled big man who can shoot from distance, should do them good.
29. Memphis Grizzlies – Harrison Ingram | SG | Stanford | 6’8” | 230 LBS
The Grizzlies are one of the lengthiest teams in the league, making them a perfect destination for Stanford product Harrison Ingram. An above-average playmaker at his position, he could be a potential replacement for Kyle Anderson, who is entering free agency in the offseason.
30. Oklahoma City Thunder (from PHX) – Christian Braun | SG/SF | Kansas | 6’7” | 218 LBS
OKC badly needs to improve its subpar wing rotation, which has depended almost entirely on journeyman and G-League call-ups. Picking Christian Braun in the 2022 NBA Draft, who touts an all-around game predicated on outside shooting and defense, will give them someone who fits well with the Thunder’s switchable pieces.