For the fourth edition of our NBA Mock Draft, we examine the best prospect which makes the most sense for every team.
The final stages before the 2022 NBA Draft are now unfolding, especially with the lottery having decided the order of selection among teams that missed the postseason. So while the ever-competitive NBA playoffs are still underway, fans of the other teams can now look forward to the upcoming pool of rookies.
Holders of the sixth overall pick, the Indiana Pacers will have a shot to add an immediate contributor as they seek a return to the playoffs next season. The same could be said for the other lottery teams, as the 2022 class has talent in all positions, despite its relative top-heaviness.
With the draft order now in place, here are the best prospects who pose the best fits for all teams.
2022 NBA Mock Draft 4.0 (Picks 1-3)
1. Orlando Magic – Chet Holmgren | PF/C | Gonzaga | 7’0” | 190 LBS
Chet Holmgren easily possesses the highest upside among all rookies in the upcoming draft. His physical tools may be quite the asterisk, but the Orlando Magic badly need a franchise centerpiece for years to come, and Holmgren could very well be that guy. They could have a bit of a conflict at hand with Mo Bamba still developing, but that is a problem they would embrace considering Chet is on the other side of it.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder – Jabari Smith | PF | Auburn | 6’10” | 210 LBS
With this pick, the Oklahoma City address two things: getting the best talent available and shoring up their putrid frontcourt rotation. Jabari Smith, easily the best pure scorer in the frontcourt among his peers, should be an All-Star for years to come, and may even be the safest pick for any team in this draft. With Smith falling to them at no. 2, OKC’s exhausting rebuild should take a gargantuan leap.
3. Houston Rockets – Paolo Banchero | PF | Duke | 6’10” | 250 LBS
While the Houston Rockets took two big men in last year’s draft, no one can measure up to the upside of Duke’s Paolo Banchero. Projected to be a nightly double-double machine, Banchero’s two-way stability and brilliance as a versatile scorer and defender ensure that the Rockets elevate from being just a rumbunctious bunch.
2022 NBA Mock Draft 4.0 (Picks 4-6)
4. Sacramento Kings – Keegan Murray | PF | Iowa | 6’8” | 225 LBS
With a firm core heading into next season, the Sacramento Kings should prioritize snagging a prospect who fill a position of need in the NBA Draft. Fortunately for them, Keegan Murray, a fast riser in various mock drafts, is the right mixture of versatility and raw talent at the power forward position that should thrive next to Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox.
5. Detroit Pistons – Jaden Ivey | SG | Purdue | 6’4” | 200 LBS
Like the Magic, the Detroit Pistons probably prefer a frontcourt prospect, but unlike them, they are still incentivized to pick a guard. Easily the best guard in this draft, Jaden Ivey has all the tools to be the ideal running mate of Cade Cunningham with his explosive leaping ability, three-level scoring, and pesky on-ball defense.
6. Indiana Pacers – Shaedon Sharpe | SG | Kentucky | 6’6” | 200 LBS
Indiana probably prefers to snag a frontcourt prospect with their highest pick in more than 30 years, but Shaedon Sharpe, arguably the biggest mystery in the draft, should be a very solid acquisition at no. 6 with his incredible athleticism and scoring prowess. As said previously, he should be able to galvanize a Pacers frontcourt over reliant on jump shots.
2022 NBA Mock Draft 4.0 (Picks 7-9)
7. Portland Trail Blazers – AJ Griffin | SF | Duke | 6’7” | 222 LBS
The Portland Trail Blazers have to be bummed after tanking on your face at the end of the regular season, only to end up with the seventh pick. However, if the opt to keep their pick, AJ Griffin should serve them well at pick no. 7, as his three-point marksmanship fits well with their perimeter-focused offense, while his reliable defense could help save their putrid defense.
8. New Orleans Pelicans (from LAL) – Bennedict Mathurin | SG | Arizona | 6’6” | 210 LBS
After a semi-breakout season for the New Orleans Pelicans, all eyes will be on them on how they can build off their surprise postseason appearance this year. Aside from regaining Zion Williamson, NOLA can rest easy and enjoy the fact that Bennedict Mathurin should be available to them at this juncture, giving them a solid perimeter threat who can immediately contribute next season.
9. San Antonio Spurs – Tari Eason | PF | LSU | 6’8” | 216 LBS
Few teams need help in the frontcourt more than the San Antonio Spurs. Outside of Jakob Poeltl, Gregg Popovich has mainly relied on position up-scaling and small ball to compromise, primarily using the undersized Keldon Johnson to man the 4 spot. This is where Tari Eason could entice them, as the LSU alum combines size, scoring, defending, and rebounding to round up as a do-it-all forward.
2022 NBA Mock Draft 4.0 (Picks 10-12)
10. Washington Wizards – Jeremy Sochan | PF | Baylor | 6’9” | 230 LBS
The Washington Wizards are still veering away from a rebuild, but to be truly competitive, they will have to make massive steps to improve an otherwise mediocre roster. With that into account, a good addition who should make them a more balanced team is Baylor’s Jeremy Sochan, who should fit well next to Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma with his tenacious defense and scrapiness.
11. New York Knicks – Jalen Duren | C | Memphis | 6’11” | 250 LBS
The New York Knicks stunk this season. And with their center rotation filled with uncertainties, they should take a hard look at Memphis’ Jalen Duren. A conventional big man with excellent rebounding and rim deterring skills, Duren should fit right in Tom Thibodeau’s defensive schemes next to Julius Randle who had a down year.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from LAC) – Mark Williams | C | Duke | 7’0” | 243 LBS
OKC has a very thin frontcourt rotation. While they are poised to pick one of the consensus top three, they should continue their big man haul. Duke’s Mark Williams deserves consideration here. While he is a conventional big, he is a tenacious rebound who is sneakily mobile defensively.
2022 NBA Mock Draft 4.0 (Picks 13-15)
13. Charlotte Hornets – Johnny Davis | SG | Wisconsin | 6’5” | 190 LBS
The Charlotte Hornets do not have a pressing need for another guard. However, there are few frontcourt options at this juncture. Thus, they should zoom in on the next best available talent. Johnny Davis’ craftiness as a scorer could be a picture perfect fit in Charlotte, and should he thrive, he could force their front office to dangle some of their dispensable backcourt pieces.
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 remain on their current track. Thus, 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, which is already part and parcel of their identity under coach JB Bickerstaff.
15. Charlotte Hornets (from NOP) – Kendall Brown | SF | Baylor | 6’8” | 205 LBS
It remains to be seen just how much the Hornets value Kelly Oubre Jr., but nevertheless, they will have to mitigate the cloud casted on the futures of Miles Bridges and PJ Washington in Charlotte. Picking Kendall Brown could absorb some of the associated risks, as he touts a mature offensive game based on off-ball movement, as well as handy defensive skills.
2022 NBA Mock Draft 4.0 (Picks 16-18)
16. Atlanta Hawks – Dyson Daniels | SG | G League | 6’6” | 170 LBS
G-League standout Dyson Daniels is an intelligent shooting guard who can create for himself and others and provide some lifting on the defensive end. With the Atlanta Hawks falling hard on the defensive end this season, they should emphasize filling their roster with perimeter defenders in particular, where their main cogs have been exploited throughout the playoffs.
17. Houston Rockets (from BKN) – Malaki Branham | SG | Ohio State | 6’5” | 195 LBS
Eric Gordon’s time in Houston could be ending. Thus, the Rockets brass should try to find his replacement. Malaki Branham should be a name to look out for, as his basketball IQ could sharpen their play on both ends. In addition, his skillset based on perimeter shooting and consistent defense is tailor-made for Jalen Green and co.
18. Chicago Bulls – Walker Kessler | C | Auburn | 7’1” | 245 LBS
The Chicago Bulls badly need size and it’s no secret at all. It is their biggest weakness which was particularly evident in their loss to the Bucks in the playoffs. This is where Auburn product Walker Kessler could make an impact, who distinguishes himself from other center prospects with his outside shooting and skill with the ball.
2022 NBA Mock Draft 4.0 (Picks 19-21)
19. Minnesota Timberwolves – Ochai Agbaji | SG | Kansas | 6’5” | 214 LBS
Arguably the best available talent left at this juncture, Ochai Agbaji is a lethal three-point weapon who is active on defense, a fitting player for an improving Minnesota Timberwolves team that is among the best offensive clubs in the league and one of the fastest risers as a defensive unit. However, he is far from a guarantee to remain on the board at this point.
20. San Antonio Spurs (from TOR) – Nikola Jovic | PF | Mega Bemax | 6’10” | 209 LBS
This is a classic San Antonio pick. Known for favoring international prospects, 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 struggling with consistency and currently on the outside looking in.
21. Denver Nuggets – TyTy Washington | PG/SG | Kentucky | 6’3” | 185 LBS
TyTy Washington’s draft forecasts have wavered, but he’s the one of the best backcourt prospects left in a rather thin pool of floor generals in the draft. The Denver Nuggets’ point guard rotation simply lacks quality depth in account of Jamal Murray’s injury, and the Kentucky standout could immediately contribute heavily for them next season.
2022 NBA Mock Draft 4.0 (Picks 22-24)
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 relatively subpar season in the G-League. There are safer picks than this one, but the Memphis Grizzlies have a great development staff that can hone his abilities as a scorer. If Tyus Jones proves to be too expensive to keep, Hardy can even sneak into a rotation spot early on.
23. Brooklyn Nets (from PHI) – Kennedy Chandler | PG | Tennessee | 6’1” | 172 LBS
The Brooklyn Nets have to rework their roster on the margins next season to properly contend for the title. One direction they could take is by infusing youth into their rotation, especially in the point guard position where Patty Mills and Goran Dragic struggled in long spurts. Kennedy Chandler could help in this case with his playmaking and ability hit treys with great accuracy.
24. Milwaukee Bucks – Wendell Moore | SF | Duke | 6’5” | 213 LBS
The Milwaukee Bucks, without Khris Middleton, struggled in the playoffs offensively. Thus, their front office should bank on the draft to get help in the scoring department. One target in this case is Wendell Moore, whose three-point shooting rate at above 40 percent should flourish in Mike Budenholzer’s system.
2022 NBA Mock Draft 4.0 (Picks 25-27)
25. San Antonio Spurs (from BOS) – EJ Liddell | PF | Ohio State | 6’7” | 240 LBS
The Spurs, rather surprisingly, fared better offensively than defensively this season despite having no top-tier scorers aside from Dejounte Murray. As a point of emphasis, E.J. Liddell deserves a look from San Antonio, as he is a great defender who adds the requisite length to be versatile.
26. Dallas Mavericks – Christian Braun | SG | Kansas | 6’6” | 218 LBS
The Dallas Mavericks have been a tremendous defensive team this season in large part due to their strong perimeter stoppers. That shouldn’t change in their approach to the draft. One target that makes sense is Christian Braun, a reliable jump shooter who can finish in transition and guard the perimeter.
27. Miami Heat – Patrick Baldwin Jr. | PF | Milwaukee | 6’9” 220 LBS
Patrick Baldwin Jr.’s NBA draft stock severely declined after meager showings in college and in the recent combine, but he still could be a high-risk, high-reward prospect . One team that can afford to gamble is the Miami Heat, a contending franchise with an excellent developmental staff, which can unlock his potential.
2022 NBA Mock Draft 4.0 (Picks 28-30)
28. Golden State Warriors – Christian Koloko | C | Arizona | 7’1” | 230 LBS
The reigning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, Arizona standout Christian Koloko is the best center left at this juncture, and the Golden State Warriors should seize the chance to snag him. With James Wiseman’s health as good as a guess, the Dubs need more depth beyond just Kevon Looney and Nemanja Bjelica.
29. Memphis Grizzlies – Blake Wesley | SG | Notre Dame | 6’5” | 181 LBS
The Memphis Grizzlies do not really need much outside help, but they could be in search for a shooting guard if they dangle Dillon Brooks for a bigger commodity. With that considered, they might want to pick Blake Wesley, an athletic wing who should fit in seamlessly to their exacting attack.
30. Oklahoma City Thunder (from PHX) – Marjon Beauchamp | SG/SF | G League | 6’6” 199 LBS
OKC badly needs to fix its stagnant offense, and three-point shooting should be right near the top of their priority list. Marjon Beauchamp, a G-League standout, could be an attractive get for them with the last pick in the first round, as he is a quality marksman with good length to boot.