2022 NBA Mock Draft
The 2022 NBA Draft is this week and with that Def Pen Sports puts out one final 2022 NBA Mock Draft. While the order of the first round is subject to change this will reflect the order of the draft as of the publishing of this article. The order will be based on the current draft order and will not contain any hypothetical trades.
1. Orlando Magic- Chet Holmgren, F/C, Gonzaga Bulldogs
Only the Orlando Magic really know what they are thinking when it comes to the number one overall pick. While the other two prospects are still in play, Chet Holmgren remains the player with the most upside and potential.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder- Jabari Smith, F/C, Auburn Tigers
Jabari Smith could very well be the number one overall pick on draft night. His fit with the young and promising Thunder core is too good to pass up if he is there at two. The Thunder will continue to stack talent until they have built another contending team.
3. Houston Rockets- Paolo Banchero, F, Duke Blue Devils
Houston has perhaps the easiest selection in the entire 2022 NBA Draft. Take the player that remains of the three. Paolo Banchero is ready to play offensively on an NBA level and could look like the best prospect early in his career. Time will tell if that trend holds among the three.
4. Sacramento Kings- Keegan Murray, F, Iowa Hawkeyes
The Sacramento Kings seem enamored with Keegan Murray. While we believe there are better prospects it is hard to deny the fit with the Kings and Murray. The best prospects at this point are guards and Sacramento needs a forward, like Murray, who can score. This 2022 NBA Mock Draft reflects that.
5. Detroit Pistons- Jaden Ivey, G, Purdue Boilermakers
Jaden Ivey makes a good case to be considered the best guard in the 2022 NBA Draft. The Pistons are looking for talent to stack around Cade Cunningham and a backcourt duo of him and Jaden Ivey could be a threat in the future to the NBA.
6. Indiana Pacers- Dyson Daniels, G, G League Ignite
Head Coach Rick Carlisle prefers players that are NBA-ready and more experienced. He has made this clear and it led to the team drafting Chris Duarte in the 2021 NBA Draft. His year with the G League Ignite has Dyson Daniels ready to immediately step into an NBA role.
7. Portland Trail Blazers- Jalen Duren, C, Memphis Tigers
Portland is faced with the position of once again needing talent around star point guard Damian Lillard. Jalen Duren has plenty of talent defensively with some promising offensive upside with some work. This won’t fix the problem in Portland, but it’s a start.
8. New Orleans Pelicans (Via LAL)- Shaedon Sharpe, G, Kentucky Wildcats
Shaedon Sharpe is an enigma, but the potential is the name of the game with the 2022 NBA Mock Draft. The Pelicans are in the position to become a constant in the NBA Playoffs. Adding talent is the main goal and Sharpe is worth a gamble here with the Lakers pick.
9. San Antonio Spurs- Tari Eason, F, LSU Tigers
The Spurs are in an odd spot that can be hard to dig out of for NBA teams. They aren’t quite playoff contenders, but not bad enough to draft a franchise-changing player. Tari Eason presents an opportunity to get better and perhaps contend for a playoff spot.
10. Washington Wizards- Bennedict Mathurin, G, Arizona Wildcats
It became very clear that the Wizards lack depth and are in need of talent when Bradley Beal is not playing. Bennedict Mathurin can do a lot of things well on a basketball court and that is exactly what the Wizards need on the roster.
11. New York Knicks- Ousmane Dieng, F, New Zealand Breakers
While the New York Knicks have several pressing needs outside of forward, Ousmane Dieng is a tantalizing prospect. The Knicks’ come back to the NBA Playoffs in 2021 was short-lived and the franchise still needs a serious infusion of talent.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (Via LAC)- Johnny Davis, G, Wisconsin Badgers
For the Thunder, it’s all about gaining talented prospects that can either grow on the roster or later be used as trade potential. Johnny Davis could easily fit into either role for Oklahoma City. His ability to score is something the team needs desperately.
13. Charlotte Hornets- Mark Williams, C, Duke Blue Devils
This pick in the 2022 NBA Mock Draft seems to be pretty straightforward. The Hornets need a rim-protecting center and Mark Williams is stellar at that aspect of basketball. While better prospects are on the board this seems to be where the Hornets want to go.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers- AJ Griffin, G/F, Duke Blue Devils
The Cavaliers need wing depth pretty desperately and would be very fortunate if AJ Griffin falls to the 14th pick. He is a pure shooter and could immediately provide an injection of points into the Cleveland rotation.
15. Charlotte Hornets (Via NO)- Ochai Agbaji, G/F, Kansas Jayhawks
With a new Head Coach coming in it seems likely that trades will follow in Charlotte. Wing depth is important in the NBA and NCAA Champion Ochai Agbaji could provide an immediate boost coming off the Hornets bench.
16. Atlanta Hawks- Jeremy Sochan, F, Baylor Bears
The Atlanta Hawks need to stack talent that can grow around star point guard Trae Young. Jeremy Sochan is full of untapped potential after playing behind upperclassmen at Baylor this year. While he could ultimately be used in a trade, he has value for a young prospect.
17. Houston Rockets (Via BKN)- Malaki Branham, G, Ohio State Buckeyes
The Rockets’ plan, for now, is to acquire young prospects in the hope that they one day become All-Star players or become valuable enough to trade for All-Star players. Malaki Branham can be a good NBA depth player one day.
18. Chicago Bulls- TyTy Washington, G, Kentucky Wildcats
John Calipari is exceptionally good at preparing players for the NBA. The Bulls could move on from at least one guard on the roster this year and they will need a replacement with offensive capabilities. Enter TyTy Washington on the 2022 NBA Mock Draft.
19. Minnesota Timberwolves- Blake Wesley, G, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Minnesota seems to be heading in the right direction as a franchise after years of uncertainty. Putting competent players around their core is the key goal if they want to stay that way. Blake Wesley has plenty of potential heading into the NBA.
20. San Antonio Spurs (Via TOR)- Nikola Jovic, F, Serbia
Nikola Jovic has a very unique skill set for his size and height. While he looks like a post player he plays like a wing. The Spurs like their international prospects and Jovic has plenty of potential. This could be an ideal match in the NBA.
21. Denver Nuggets- Kennedy Chandler, G, Tennessee Volunteers
The Nuggets have a serious lack of depth at the guard position and Nikola Jokic can’t continue carrying this team by himself. Even with Jamal Murray coming back Kennedy Chandler is an instant boost to the depth of this team.
22. Memphis Grizzlies (Via UTA)- Jalen Williams, G, Santa Clara Broncos
Jalen Williams has quickly moved up the boards of most 2022 NBA Mock Drafts. The Grizzlies can afford to gamble on a promising-looking guard prospect that has recently moved up in the prospect rankings.
23. Philadelphia 76ers- Dalen Terry, G/F, Arizona Wildcats
Dalen Terry decided to stay in the 2022 NBA Draft which likely means he got first-round feedback from teams. Getting talented depth is the name of the game for Philadelphia and Terry is exactly that heading into the NBA.
24. Milwaukee Bucks- Walker Kessler, C, Auburn Tigers
Brook Lopez has had some health concerns and it may be time to draft a potential replacement for him to pair with the starting lineup. Walker Kessler can defend very well and stretch his shot out. That makes this a perfect pairing for the future.
25. San Antonio Spurs (Via BOS)- EJ Liddell, F, Ohio State Buckeyes
The Spurs have had a great 2022 NBA Mock Draft here and now they need to just take the best player available. EJ Liddell has plenty of talent and could help the Spurs in his rookie year with his experience.
26. Houston Rockets (Via DAL)- Jaden Hardy, G, G League Ignite
Jaden Hardy was once viewed as a lottery pick and perhaps even a top-five pick. Houston needs to gamble on talent and they could do worse than Hardy at this point. He just needs the right fit when he gets to the NBA.
27. Miami Heat- Caleb Houstan, F, Michigan Wolverines
The Miami Heat have a serious hole at the forward position and need depth there badly. Caleb Houstan decided to stay in the draft this year and lands himself in the first round of the 2022 NBA Mock Draft. He could even find his way into the Heat starting lineup.
28. Golden State Warriors- Christian Braun, G/F, Kansas Jayhawks
The defending NBA Champions could use some depth on the wing this upcoming year. There will be limited pressure on Christian Braun with the Warriors and he can grow into a role that helps the Warriors attempt to win yet another championship.
29. Memphis Grizzlies- Bryce McGowens, G/F, Nebraska Cornhuskers
Bryce McGowens was a lone bright spot for Nebraska this year and showed why he could thrive in the NBA. Memphis needs to continue looking for talent to pair around Ja Morant as they look to compete for an NBA title.
30. Denver Nuggets (Via PHO)- MarJon Beauchamp, G/F, G League Ignite
The Nuggets continue to need more depth and landing a G League Ignite player with the final pick of the first round is a solid score. MarJon Beauchamp isn’t quite the player that Daniels or Hardy are, but he shows promise on the court.
