David Banks/USA Today Sports
The most exciting time for fans whose teams were at the bottom of the barrel came last night as something as small as ping pong balls held the future for more than a handful of franchises.
Things went the Orlando Magic’s way, as they were the winner of the ping pong ball sweepstakes landing the No.1 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
As time has gone and we’ve got to evaluate and scout more prospects in this draft, there has been a realization that this draft is really good, and has a great balance of talent from top to bottom.
Here’s my first and mini mock draft after the reveal of the top-14 picks:
1. Orlando Magic - Jabari Smith Jr | 6-10 F | Fr | Auburn
The Magic have a multitude of decisions they can make with this pick. It’s interesting to think of the possibilities when looking at the current roster, especially with the frontcourt. I think in the end, they’ll pick their guy in Smith. There’s too many uncertainties with Jonathan Issac and Bol Bol, and Okeke is better off being a guy who comes off the bench as a potential 6th or 7th man, There’s also the possibility of trading Mo Bamba who just had his breakout season, but I think the team could be much better off just pairing the two of Smith and Bamba as their frontcourt of the future. With a young and talented lineup that consists of guys like Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, RJ Hampton, Franz Wagner, and Chuma Okeke, while still having the luxury of Markelle Fultz and Wendell Carter Jr, there’s no limit to the potential of this Magic team.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder - Chet Holmgren | 7-1 C | Fr | Gonzaga
Just like the Magic, the Thunder have a lot of flexibility and decisions to make with this pick. Even though they didn’t get the 1st pick, the Thunder should feel great about their position in this draft. The Thunder are clearly still in the rebuilding process and I think grabbing Holmgren with the 2nd pick speeds up the rebuild tremendously. The versatility Holmgren brings would fit right in with SGA and Giddey who are the set and stone pieces to this franchise.
3. Houston Rockets - Paolo Banchero | 6-10 F | Fr | Duke
Obviously the teams all at the top of the lottery wanted the first pick including the Rockets, but with the Rockets at 3, I think they still feel really good at the position they’re at. Them at 3 is really just taking whoever is left from the “Big 3” prospects and being happy with what they get, and in this case the Rockets would get Duke phenom Banchero, who I think has the best chance to be the best player in this draft. The Rockets were able to hit the nose drafting Jalen Green last year and now pairing him with Banchero is a huge step in the right direction for a franchise trying to build back the success they had last decade.
4. Sacramento Kings - AJ Griffin | 6’6 F | Fr | Duke
This may come as a bit of surprise, but as we know, the Kings are known to make some surprises and this one wouldn’t be too far off. Regardless, I wouldn’t see any problem with the Kings taking Griffin here. There are concerns with his injury history but the talent and potential is just too difficult to pass up. I see this Kings roster getting an overhaul soon that keeps the core of Fox, Sabonis, Mitchell, and whoever they pick at 4. Griffin can come in and make an immediate impact and embrace the culture of the Kings and help bring winning to a franchise desperately needing it.
5. Detroit Pistons - Jalen Duren | 6’10 C | Fr | Memphis
Another potential surprise pick to people, but as for me, I wouldn’t really see this as a surprise if the Pistons do pass on the shooting/combo guards for the best available big man in Duren. Yes, the Pistons already have Isaiah Stewart, but the strengths for Stewart and his game are things Duren brings plus more to me. Duren would be a lot better in PnR’s for guys like Cade and Hayes and Duren is a much better rim protector with better size.
6. Indiana Pacers - Jaden Ivey | 6’4 G | Fr | Purdue
Ivey falling into the Pacers lap at 6 would be heaven-sent for the Indiana Pacers. With guys like Malcolm Brogdon and Buddy Hield most likely getting moved soon, this would be the perfect opportunity to build your backcourt for the future and get an elite scoring guard with tons of athleticism in Ivey next to Haliburton.
7. Portland TrailBlazers - Bennedict Mathurin | 6’6 G | So | Arizona
The Trailblazers suffered greatly having to stay at 7, as they were looking to move up in the top 4 in any way they could. I don’t think it’s all bad for the Blazers though, there will still be plenty of talent available at 7 that could fit the potential timeline for them. Unless the Blazers move out of this pick I don’t really see them having the luxury of taking anything else but a guard. Mathurin would be the best pick here as he offers the most size so you can have the ability to play three-guard lineups with Dame and Anfernee.
8. New Orleans Pelicans (Via LAL) - Shaedon Sharpe | 6’6 G | Fr | Kentucky
Sharpe is absolutely the biggest mystery in this draft. He is the highest of risk with the potential of highest rewards there is. I could see the Pelicans try to pull out of this pick if a guy they want isn’t available at this spot. If they do use this pick however, and draft Sharpe, having a roster with Zion Williamson, Brandom Ingram, CJ McCollum and Sharpe would be entertaining beyond measure.
9. San Antonio Spurs - Keegan Murray | 6’8 F | So | Iowa
If the Spurs were able to get Murray here at 9 this would easily be considered a steal as not too many people feel that Murray should drop out the top 6. Murray could bring plenty of versatility to this Spurs offense opening up the offense for those around him including Dejounte Murray, Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell and more. I also expect this Spurs roster to look different soon as they could be in for the stakes of making a “splash” type of move with a trade.
10. Washington Wizards - Johnny Davis | 6’5 G | So | Wisconsin
With there being so much uncertainty with Bradley Beal and his future in Washington, the Wizards may have to start looking at their options and seeing how they could work their way through all this. They wouldn’t have to look too far though with picking Johnny Davis. The scoring guard could come in and take the duty of scoring at all three levels if needed. Even if the Wizards end up keeping Beal, a backcourt of him and Davis would surely be fun to watch with some of the young talent they still have around them plus Kristaps Porziņģis.
11. New York Knicks - Dyson Daniels | 6’7 F | G League Ignite
The Knicks are in a tough spot at 11. There aren’t any true point guards to reach and take here, and you could be hesitant to take a big at this spot. In the end, taking the versatile Daniels could be their best bet. He can play multiple positions and handle the ball if he needs to. Also can defend 1-3 and possibly even 4’s and 5’s if teams decide to go small. There’s just so much Daniels brings and it would be hard to pass up on it if I were the Knicks.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (Via LAC) - Ousmane Dieng | 6’10 F | International
If there was any team willing to take a chance on Dieng it would definitely be the Thunder. Dieng is another one of those prospects who are interesting and also a little mysterious as a prospect. He’s gotten comps to the likes of Paul George, but with him struggling mightily early on in the NBL in Australia, his stock took a bit of a dip. Dieng was able to find his rhythm though as the NBL season progressed which has led to scouts being a lot more interested in him again. I don’t know about Paul George, but the potential is certainly still there, which is why he could end up still being a lottery pick.
13. Charlotte Hornets - Mark Williams | 6’10 C | Fr | Duke
The Hornets getting an actual good Center for the roster would be a huge boost. I think Williams is perfect for this Hornets squad and specifically with the fit with Lamelo Ball. Defensively, Williams is one of the best in this class, I’d go as far as saying as good as Holmgren. The Hornets still have some crucial offseason decisions to make including re-signing Miles Bridges in restricted free agency and possibly moving guys to free up some money, but drafting Williams would be a good start into retooling this roster a little.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers - Ochai Agbaji | 6’6 F | Sr | Kansas
I think it’s safe enough to say that the Cavaliers are out of their rebuild and are now looking to build upon what they did last season. With that, they’ll look to acquire a player who can come in and make an immediate impact and I think the NCAA Tournament hero, Ochai Agbaji would be perfect. Agbaji would be perfectly fine in a role where he can catch and shoot, defend and put the ball on the floor here and there.
Mock created by Makaio Johnson.
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