The 2022 NBA Draft is only a couple of months away. The busy offseason for Indiana starts with the draft lottery on May 17th and the draft itself on June 23rd.
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 third edition, we will be using a Tankathon simulator to spice things up for the first five picks in this draft.
Picks 6-30 will be based on end-of-season standings from a draft position standpoint.
2022 NBA Draft Mock 3.0: Picks 1-5
The Orlando Magic are in the market for a strong four, and Banchero’s all-around game and versatility at the 4, could reshape the structure of this roster in a real way. They drafted a solid guard in Jalen Suggs last season and the size added to the Magic starting five with Banchero in the mix is intriguing.
I think the Rockets would be excited about Holmgren at second overall. Holmgren is mocked differently so often, that it is difficult to get a feel for where he will land exactly. To me, there is no question that he should be a top-five pick in this 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.
The Indiana Pacers would gain the most in adding a true four to their roster if they pick in the top three in this draft, I really like their chances at Smith. His halfcourt game is fantastic and he is probably the most NBA-ready player in this top five. His size and skill set would add a ton to this Indiana roster.
Ivey is as explosive as they get. San Antonio getting the perfect pairing alongside Dejonte Murray would make for a thrilling backcourt for the Spurs. He averaged 17.3 points a game this season and shot the three at 35% for the Boilermakers.
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. His tape is lacking, but I think Detroit would take the gamble on this young prospect.
2022 Mock Draft 3.0: Picks 6-10
The Trailblazers could use a forward in their starting five, which Murray could do right away. His size is NBA-ready and is a solid defender per position. He has a consistency to his offense that would do great in Portland.
This pick needs to fit well with Domantas Sabonis in mind. I think Griffin could play the three in that starting group with Barnes at the four and Sabonis at the five. His shooting speaks for itself (44.7% from deep) and I like his athleticism.
The Thunder would benefit from getting a young big man into their core of young talent. Duren is a solid scorer down low and was effective as a rim protector for the Tigers. Duren could start or come off the bench in his first season, but I think if OKC gets their hands on him they wouldn’t hesitate to see his fit with Giddey and SGA.
Mathurin showed out in this year’s March Madness tournament, but he had a good season overall. Going from 10 PPG last year to an average of 17 PPG this season, he played well in the extended minutes he saw. He has great athleticism and his shot is just fine. He adds great depth to this Pelicans team that could use an extra punch offensively.
Point guard is a position of need in Washington and Washington would be a great fit on the roster. He could make an impact right away. Washington is a decent shooter from behind the arc and averaged 4 assists a game last season. He has great speed and can finish around the rim.
Johnny Davis excites on the defensive end of the court as well as a solid mid-range game. His three-point percentage fell off in his last season in Wisconsin, but his hustle is consistent on both ends of the ball. His defense is some of the best in this draft class and New York would love to have that on their team. Davis averaged 19.7 points per game this season.
Ousmane is a skilled big that has room to grow. Although he shot 27% from deep with the Breakers, he has a smooth stroke and some obvious abilities to handle and move with the ball in his hands. OKC is a building team and Dieng is a building prospect.
Sochan is one of the versatile players in this draft. While his three-point shot isn’t there and has a limited offensive game right now, he still has the defensive tools to make up for the offensive production. Charlotte could use more defense, as they ranked 22nd in defensive rating last season. At 6’9” Sochan can play different positions on the floor which would be useful for the Hornets.
Agbaji is as NBA-ready as they get. The senior forward was awesome from behind the arc, shooting 40% from deep on over 6 attempts a game. At 6’5” and 215 pounds, he can make an impact right away on the wing which Cleveland would love to have. He averaged 18 points a game in his senior season with the Jayhawks.
Williams is an athletic center that has been a solid defender this season at Duke. At 7’0” in height and nearly an eight-foot wingspan, he is a sound rim protector with a great feel for the game. He averaged 2.8 blocks per game this season while posting 11.3 points. He is good in the screen and roll game and is built to be NBA-ready in year one.
For a team in need of depth at the guard spot, Daniels could be a good fit. His three-point shot isn’t there, shooting just 25.5% from the spot, but he is just 19 years old. I like his upside and ball skills for this Atlanta team that has three-point shooting around Trae Young where Daniels wouldn’t be a huge negative in the lineup. Atlanta gets a backup facilitator who is young and has room to grow.
Here’s another athletic forward with good size that can make an impact right away on the defensive end for Houston. His three-point percentage increased in his second year at LSU, but he was really effective inside the arc, converting over 55% of his attempts. He averaged 16 points per game this season and would be a nice addition to a struggling defensive team in Houston.
Walker is not the world’s greatest shooter, but he makes his presence felt under the rim. He averaged 8 rebounds a game while converting 60% of his shots from the field last season with Auburn. If he can develop some sort of shot in the mid-range or deeper, whichever team drafts him would not be upset.
Liddell has great defensive instincts and is a fantastic rim protector for his size. At 6’7” and 240 pounds, it is tough to get through Liddell. He averaged 19.4 points per game along with 2.8 blocks in his Junior season at OSU. His three-point percentage boomed last year, where he converted 37% of his attempts from range. He will be a great all-around talent with upside in this year’s draft.
At 6’8”, Kendall Brown has some unique versatility. From knowing when to cut to the rim to spacing the floor with his three-point shot, Brown is an exciting mid-round pick for any team. San Antonio getting a big wing would be happy, but I am not sure how he will translate right away. He took most of his threes off the catch or from the corner, but he certainly has the size to be NBA ready.
Malaki flashed a lot of potential in his freshman season at Ohio State. Branham is a strong wing player who can add great depth to an injured Nuggets roster recently. Shooting 41% from behind the arc, he would be a fun piece to a healthy Denver team. His athleticism is great and his ability to get to the basket stands out as well as a decent package of moves in the mid-range.
Chandler is a defensive-minded guard that can shoot the ball well. His 38% shooting on just over 3 attempts a game is worth noting. I think he could be a great depth piece for the Grizzlies who are currently making a title push with Ja Morant leading the ship. Adding defenders is always good and I think Chandler can grow into a solid two-way player in this league.
Baldwin has great physical tools to enter the NBA and make an impact right away. He has a solid mid-range shot as well as a decent ability to attack the rim with a few different moves. His shooting percentages were lower at Milwaukee, shooting 26% from deep and 34% from the field, but his tape shows that the shot-making ability is there.
Braun is a fun prospect to watch. In his third year at Kansas, he averaged 14.1 points a game along with 6 rebounds. His athleticism is there and he has a good understanding of when to attack the rim and he can finish tough shots close. He can catch a lob or knock down the three-point shot, which he did at 38% this past season.
Beauchamp averaged 15.1 points a game with the Ignite during their 12-game showcase. He is explosive around the rim and at 6’6” 200 pounds he can also rebound the ball quite well, averaging 7.3 in those games. He is not a three-point threat, making just 24% of his 2.8 attempts a game, but he has a good feel for the game and at 21 years old there is always room for improvement. Nonetheless, he is fun to watch when near a rim with some solid footwork as well.
At 6’5” and 185 pounds, Wesley is entering the NBA ready to add depth to any roster. He shot just 30% from deep with Notre Dame but his skill set is in the mid-range. He is quick on the court and is not afraid of the moment when the game is close. I like his fit in Dallas who are trying to add a quality role player in this draft.
Hardy is an athletic young prospect who showed out in the G-League showcase this year. The 19-year-old averaged 17 points a game and struggled to connect from deep. He will take time to grow into a role, especially in Miami, but he has all the tools to get to the rim and is a great transition runner.
Koloko would not be considered one of the splash brothers but he and Wisman could dorm a new nickname under the rim. He converts 64% of his field-goal attempts along with grabbing 7 rebounds a game. He is long and has a great feel for the post. At 7’1” and 225 pounds he has some room to grow, but Golden State could take Center depth as they aren’t in dire need of much else.
Wendell Moore is a quick four with active hands and a good handle. He’s got an NBA-ready frame and can be depth on most rosters right away. He can space the floor with his shooting, at 41% of his threes going through, as well as 50% of his shots from the field. He is a tough shot maker and has good court vision too.
It is a shame that I couldn’t mock him to the Nuggets. Jovic is an 18-year-old prospect who would fit well in a young developing roster in OKC. He can pass well and shot the three at 34% in his most recent season.