2022 NBA Mock Draft
The 2022 NBA Draft Lottery has happened and now barring the trades that will surely happen on draft night, we know the order of the 2022 NBA Draft. With that comes a new 2022 NBA Mock Draft from Def Pen Sports. 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
The Orlando Magic have won the Lottery and have plenty of time to decide between the top three prospects. Chet Holmgren still remains as the top player, but his status as the number one pick is still in doubt.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder- Jabari Smith, F/C, Auburn Tigers
The Thunder will be tasked with picking between the two remaining top tier prospects. Jabari Smith would fit in immediately with the young core and can anchor their offense and defense down low.
3. Houston Rockets- Paolo Banchero, F, Duke Blue Devils
Houston perhaps has the easiest job when they select with the third pick. Take the prospect that is left out of the three. Paolo Banchero has the size and ability to score from anywhere on the court. The Rockets need talent and Banchero is full of just that.
4. Sacramento Kings- Keegan Murray, F, Iowa Hawkeyes
The Kings are an enigma and have one of the more interesting selections here. Keegan Murray moves up the 2022 NBA Mock Draft here because of his potential fit with the Kings. He could slide right into the starting lineup and be a versatile addition.
5. Detroit Pistons- Jaden Ivey, G, Purdue Boilermakers
Jaden Ivey is the most talented guard in the draft and Cade Cunningham needs a running mate for the future. Cunnigham’s ability to play several positions makes this an ideal fit with Ivey. It does mean that Killian Hayes could be the odd man out.
6. Indiana Pacers- Jalen Duren, C, Memphis Tigers
Indiana will spend the next few drafts looking for talent to pair with Tyrese Haliburton and Jalen Duren could be the perfect long-term partner. The team seems likely to move on from Myles Turner at some point and Duren would fill that center role well.
7. Portland Trail Blazers- Shaedon Sharpe, G, Kentucky Wildcats
Portland needs to swing for the fences at top-level talent to get back to competing with Damian Lillard. Shaedon Sharpe did not play college and is a massive question mark with undoubtedly high upside and potential.
8. New Orleans Pelicans- AJ Griffin, G/F, Duke Blue Devils
The Pelicans showed grit and determination this year, but one issue was fairly clear. They lack floor spacing shooters. Enter sharpshooter AJ Griffin who can immediately come into the NBA and space the floor for New Orleans.
9. San Antonio Spurs- Tari Eason, F, LSU Tigers
The San Antonio Spurs are all about building a contender over the next few years and to do that they need talent they can develop. Tari Eason is a great defender that needs some work on the offensive end. A match made in basketball heaven.
10. Washington Wizards- Dyson Daniels, G, G League Ignite
Bradley Beal’s future intentions are unclear for now and the Wizards need talent and insurance. Dyson Daniels provides both after spending a year with the G League Ignite program. This program continues to be an alternate path to the NBA.
11. New York Knicks- Ousmane Dieng, F, New Zealand Breakers
The Knicks went backward this year and missed the NBA Playoffs. Depth is a necessity and more trade capital is never a bad thing. Ousmane Dieng has plenty of potential and could help New York turn around via his play or a trade package.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder- Bennedict Mathurin, G, Arizona Wildcats
The Thunder have the draft selections to spare and can afford to take talent over positional need here. Bennedict Mathurin is athletic and can score at all three levels. The Thunder need to find a superstar to pair with their current talent.
13. Charlotte Hornets- Mark Williams, C, Duke Blue Devils
The Charlotte Hornets have been looking for a starting caliber center for a couple of years now. They have some prospects that could work out but adding Mark Williams hedges their bets and adds another chance to find their long-term guy.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers- Johnny Davis, G, Wisconsin Badgers
This season quickly fell apart for the Cleveland Cavaliers mostly due to injuries. It became clear that the team lacked quality depth at the guard position. Johnny Davis can fill that role immediately and help the team score points in the process.
15. Charlotte Hornets- TyTy Washington, G, Kentucky Wildcats
The Charlotte Hornets love drafting Kentucky Wildcats and TyTy Washington has consistently stayed around this selection in the Def Pen 2022 NBA Mock Draft. The need isn’t there, but pairing talent with LaMelo Ball is imperative.
16. Atlanta Hawks- Ochai Agbaji, G/F, Kansas Jayhawks
The Atlanta Hawks have their superstar in Trae Young and need to pair talent around him that can help him compete in the NBA Playoffs. Ochai Agbaji knows how to win and can grow into a bigger role on the Hawks in the years to come.
17. Houston Rockets- Malaki Branham, G, Ohio State Buckeyes
The Houston Rockets need talented guard depth and Malaki Branham is a talented guard. Houston could look to trade this pick on draft night but for now, this is their pick in this 2022 NBA Mock Draft.
18. Chicago Bulls- Nikola Jovic, F, Serbia
The Chicago Bulls were decimated by injuries and it exposed their lack of depth at some positions. Nikola Jovic has the size of a post player but the skill set of a wing player. He’s already used to professional basketball and can help the Bulls immediately.
19. Minnesota Timberwolves- Jeremy Sochan, F, Baylor Bears
The Minnesota Timberwolves continue to improve and just need to adjust their depth coming off the bench. Jeremy Sochan played behind upperclassmen this year but did showcase he could thrive in the NBA.
20. San Antonio Spurs- Walker Kessler, C, Auburn Tigers
The San Antonio Spurs center situation could use some work and considering their value on defense, Walker Kessler makes sense with this selection of the 2022 NBA Mock Draft. The offense will need more than a little work in the NBA.
21. Denver Nuggets- Kennedy Chandler, G, Tennessee Volunteers
Even with the hopeful return of Jamal Murray next year it is painfully apparent that the Denver Nuggets need more and better guards on their roster. Kennedy Chandler has a high upside but has slipped down to the Nuggets.
22. Memphis Grizzlies- Blake Wesley, G, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Memphis is on the right track with its rebuild and at this point, the rebuilding part is over. Now the goal is to continue to stack talent around Ja Morant. Blake Wesley can score and that was a struggle for Memphis at points this year.
23. Brooklyn Nets- MarJon Beauchamp, G/F, G League Ignite
The Brooklyn Nets view themselves as NBA title contenders and with that in mind they will look for a player that can immediately provide an impact. MarJon Beauchamp has G League experience and could be the perfect fit there.
24. Milwaukee Bucks- Trevor Keels, G, Duke Blue Devils
The Milwaukee Bucks need some guard depth and Trevor Keels has climbed into the first round of the 2022 NBA Mock Draft in this edition. Keels closed out the season with Duke well and this role could suit him perfectly to start his career.
25. San Antonio Spurs- EJ Liddell, F, Ohio State Buckeyes
The Spurs have had a very good mock draft thus far and they close out their first-round selections with an experienced forward to continue to add to their depth down low. There will be an odd man out on the roster, but there are worse problems to have.
26. Dallas Mavericks- Christian Braun, G/F, Kansas Jayhawks
Christian Braun is climbing into the first round of the 2022 NBA Mock Draft and would fit well on a rising Dallas roster. It would imply that the team moves on from at least one wing that comes off the bench.
27. Miami Heat- Jaden Hardy, G, G League Ignite
Jaden Hardy has fallen hard and is now behind two other G League Ignite players this year. Miami can afford to take on a talented player that may need some more time to develop his game more.
28. Golden State Warriors- Patrick Baldwin Jr, F, Milwaukee Panthers
Patrick Baldwin Jr fell hard in mocks due to an injury that kept him out most of the college basketball season. The Warriors can also afford to take on a project player that could one day contribute or provide a valuable trade asset.
29. Memphis Grizzlies- Kendall Brown, G, Baylor Bears
The plan stays the same for Memphis in their hunt for talented depth in the draft. Kendall Brown also played behind upperclassmen at Baylor but showcased why he can be effective in the NBA. He may need some time, which the young Grizzlies do have.
30. Oklahoma City Thunder- Bryce McGowens, G/F, Nebraska Cornhuskers
Talent and depth continue to be the goal of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Bryce McGowens spent a single year with Nebraska and was largely their lone bright spot. The Thunder have plenty of time to let him develop.
