NBA Mock Draft 4.2: Predicting the top 10 selections in 2022

The Indiana Pacers select sixth in this year’s NBA draft. Now that the draft order is official, I feel better about making predictions as to where prospects could land in 2022.

It has been nearly a month since my last full mock draft and a lot has changed since that post. The lottery is official and players now are attending pre-draft workouts and the combine.

The 2022 NBA draft will take place on Thursday, June 23 at 7:30 p.m. ET, so it will be then when we find out exactly where each prospect will land.

Chet has been mocked everywhere leading up to the draft lottery but now with the Magic locked into the one spot, It will be hard to see them passing on Holmgren. There was already mention of the team moving on from Mo Bamba, and Chet would fit in well alongside Gonzaga alumni Jalen Suggs.

Smith could be the number one pick as well, his talent and potential are exciting, but I think he falls to the second spot this year and becomes a great fit in OKC. The Thunder gets a lock in the four spot who can shoot to match with Josh Giddey’s passing and creation and surrounds SGA with the help that has size on both ends of the floor.

If Banchero is here at three there is no way that the Houston Rockets can pass him up. His fit alongside Jalen Green would make for a fun duo and then Houston adds some much-needed defense to their roster. Banchero is NBA-ready with a great frame and size, there is a lot to like about this fit for both parties.

The Sacramento Kings have some rumors afloat that they may be willing to move away from the fourth overall pick in this draft for a more win-now contributor. I joked on Twitter that Malcolm Brogdon of the Indiana Pacers would certainly like to win now, implying a trade again with both teams. It would be the Sacramento Pacers. Nonetheless, if the Kings were to stick with this pick, Murray would be a nice fit with Sabonis and bring good upside to this franchise.

I previously had Sharpe mocked to the Pistons before the draft positions were solidified, and I have them going with him again here at five. There is a lot of unknown about Sharpe, but the potential to add a player with the exciting numbers he brings is intriguing. Pairing Cade Cunningham with another weapon with Sharpe’s athleticism would be exciting for the Pistons.

The Indiana Pacers have a homegrown fan favorite waiting in the wings that I have available here in Jaden Ivey. However, Mathurin has moved up the boards and was even quoted saying he spoke with members of the Pacers front office. Could the Pacers even trade back to get Mathurin and other assets to go after another pick this year? Indiana is not leaving any options on the table.

Ivey falling to seven would be a shock, but it isn’t unrealistic based on the positional needs of the teams drafting ahead here. Ivey comes in at 6’4” and has been compared to Ja Morant leading up to the draft. He is an electric playmaker and finisher at the rim who holds exceptional athletic talent. His fit would be great for a Trailblazers team that is trying to add pieces to Damian Lillard.

Griffin is a lights-out three-point shooter (44%) that would be a huge boost on the wing in NOLA. He would be many teams’ best three-point threat right away and it would be true here in NOLA by three percent. Adding a piece like this to McCollum and Ingram would be fun to watch as the Pelicans snuck their way into this year’s playoffs.

Here’s another athletic forward with good size that can make an impact right away on the defensive end for the Spurs. 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 San Antonio.

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 Wizards group looking to add a guard around Bradley Beal. Daniels is a guard who is young and has room to grow.