PSF 2022 NBA Mock Draft
Orlando Magic: Paolo Banchero (Pf, dUKE)
The future for the Orlando Magic right now is as unclear as any team in the entire NBA. Banchero is the most NBA-ready player in the draft given his size, strength, and ability to score the ball in a multitude of ways. He possesses a sensational post game, fade-away, and will be ready to make an impact immediately in his first season. If Orlando wants a jolt to its team, Banchero is the man that the Magic want. A project is not the word that is associated with the Duke product, and for Orlando that is the way to elevate the ceiling of the team as quickly as possible.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Chet Holmgren (pf, Gonzaga)
Although Derrick Favors opted into his $10.2 million player option, the OKC Thunder still lack a true big man and interior presence. However, with the selection of Chet Holmgren, the Thunder under Sam Presti look to build a solid young core of SGA, Josh Giddey, and Chet.
Houston Rockets: Jabari Smith Jr. (PF, Auburn)
Shot 42 percent from behind the three-point-line last season for Auburn, has an efficient pull-up jump shot, and possesess elite perimieter defense that would help this Houston team that finshed 23rd in the NBA in defensive rating. Smith Jr., still needs to work on his play-making and shot creation, but with the tools that he does posssess, and the position needs of the Rockets, Smith Jr., should fit right in a roster that looks to be deep in a rebuild following the Christian Wood trade.
Sacramento Kings: Keegan Murray (PF, Iowa)
With the possibility of the Kings trading this pick, it is uncertain if the Kings are in win-now mode or looking for the right prospect with the fourth pick. Based on reports the two prospects the Kings have heavily scouted the most are Iowa’s Keegan Murray and Purdue’s Jaden Ivey. However with the Kings, depth at both guard positions it makes sense for the Kings to add to their frontcourt of Domantas Sabonis and Richaun Holmes.
Detriot Pistons: Jaden Ivey (PG, Purdue)
It could be a conflict of interest due to Cade Cummingham’s development at the guard position, but there is no way the Pistons can pass on Ivy if he drops to five.
Indiana Pacers: A.J. Griffin (SF, Duke)
Similar to the Kings, with the Pacers loaded in both guard positions and T.J. Warren a free agent. The Pacers will have to look for a forward in this year’s draft and the prospect should be forward A.J. Griffin out of Duke University. A versatile three-and-D athlete who had a 49 percent FG percentage, shot 45 percent from three and 79 percent from the free-throw line.
Portland Trailblazers: Dyson Daniels (PG, G League Ignite)
The 6-foot-seven-inch nearly 200 pound shooting guard has the size, and atheism to compete in the NBA at a high level. Last season, Daniels suited up for the G-League Ignite, averaging 11.3 points along with 5.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. His long wingspan could allow him to guard multiple positions in the league. He does not shoot the ball at a high clip, but as an elite passer, he has plenty of potential as an offensive player for a team trying to figure out its identity without C.J. McCollum.
New Orleans Pelicans (from LA Lakers): Shaedon Sharpe (SG, Kentucky)
With the excess of forwards, the Pelicans can add a guard to this defensive squad that pushed the former Western Conference champion Phoenix Suns to six games. As adding Shaedon Sharpe would provide another scoring wing and still keep C.J. McCollum at the point guard position. Another positive from Shaedon Sharpe is his off-ball abilities and scoring allowing him to fit perfectly with C.J., Brandon Ingram, and Zion Williamson all dominant playmakers with the ball in their hands.
San Antonio Spurs: Jeremey Sochan (PF, Baylor)
With the trade rumors circulating around Dejounte Murray, San Antonio could be dealing this pick away for another asset. His 6-foot-nine-inch 230 pound frame brings something different to this Spurs team. He can guard a number of positions due to his defensive effort, and body type. Sochan needs plenty of work on the offensive end of the floor, but his potential as a playmaker and finisher could help him grow into a solid contributor for a Gregg Popovich coached team.
Washington Wizards: Benedict Mathurin (SF, Arizona)
With two of the elite playmaking point guards drafted, I believe the Washington Wizards go best player available and select Benedict Mathurin, a playmaking guard/forward that great with the basketball in his hands. Shown by his time at Arizona leading the team to the best record in the Pac-12, a Pac-12 championship, and a trip to the sweet 16. Drafting Benedict provides the Wizards insurance as well if they were to even consider trading Bradley Beal away.
New York Knicks: jOHNNY Davis (SG, Wisconsin)
The 20-year-old shooting guard out of Wisconsin has a plethora of tools for NBA teams to be excited about. He may not be as explosive, but his craftiness, and creativity on the drive and in the pull-up game make him a difficult player to defend. He is aggressive on the defensive end, and on the glass. Getting to the free throw line was one of his key components to success last season, getting to the line the fifth most times out of any player in the Big-Ten. Davis possesses that “it” factor that the Knicks need, and pairing him with RJ Barrett could bring New York a lot more success than it saw last season.
Oklahoma City Thunder (from LA Clippers): Ousmane Dieng (SF, NZ Breakers)
After securing their franchise center to pair with established young guards in SGA and Josh Giddey, the Oklahoma City Thunder can take a chance on young French forward Ousmane Dieng as he provides the length and defensive ability to both ends of the court. The last positive with drafting Dieng is that he does not have to start but rather play behind Lu Dort and Kenrich Williams.
Charlotte Hornets: Jalen Duran (C, Memphis)
With the Hornets still searching for a head coach, Charlotte turns its eyes to its roster. By far the number one need for the Hornets is a player that is an itimator, and could alter the shots of the opposition. If Duren falls to 13, there is no way that Charlotte can pass on a player that fits its team better than anyone else available. He is long, mobile, and someone who can block shots consistently. While his offensive game is not the strongest, that is not what the Hornets need. Defense is the name of the game for them next season.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Jalen Williams (SG, Santa Clara)
When looking at the Cavaliers’ biggest needs, I thought the position they needed the most was a guard because of Collin Sexton entering as a restricted free agent and Caris LeVert’s injury history. Making Santa Clara guard Jalen Williams the ideal selection because of his all-around skillset and year-by-year improvement coming out of college.
Charlotte Hornets (from New Orleans): Tari Eason
Another first round pick for Charlotte, and the Hornets select yet another defensive-minded big man. He can guard most any position on the floor, works hard for his baskets, and came off the bench last season on top of leading the LSU Tigers in scoring. His unselfishness, and size on the interior make him yet another slam dunk selection for the Hornets. He could need some improvement on taking care of the basket, and knowing how to control his body going to the basket, but Eason is the exact player Charlotte is looking for in this draft.
Atlanta Hawks: E.J. Liddell (PF, Ohio State)
As Atlanta Hawks, general manager Landry Fields discusses offers for John Collins. I believe drafting a forward E.J. Liddell is the perfect selection because of his versatility, toughness, improved perimeter shooter, and ability to fit into a potential Hawks small ball lineup which they have used in the past with Danilo Gallinari and De’Andre Hunter at the four.
Houston Rockets (from Brooklyn): Mark Williams (C, Duke)
Trading Christian Wood this past week creates an obvious hole in the frontcourt for the Rockets. By far one of the best interior defenders in the draft with an astounding seven-foot-seven-inch wingspan that is no doubt going to give opponents nightmares. The ACC Defensive Player of the Year is an elite rebounder, and interior finisher. He could help complement what Jalen Green, and Kevin Porter Jr., do on the perimeter. His game outside the arc is not the most promising, but what he brings inside the paint makes him a force to be reckoned with.
Chicago Bulls: oCHAI agbaji (SF, Kansas)
Although much can be that the Chicago Bulls need another guard or center when looking at the roster their positional weakness is a forward. So for the win-now Chicago Bulls, drafting Ochai will be beneficial because of his smart decision-making, perimeter defense, spot-up shooting, and experience as a 22-year-old senior out of Kansas.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Dalen Terry (PG, Arizona)
Minnesota was electric last season, and why not add to that electricity by adding Arizona guard Dalen Terry with its first pick in the draft. Terry knows how to run an offense, is a great passer, and sensational ball-handler that could help calm the Timberwolves offense down when they need it. His three-point shot is not the best you will find in the draft, but what Minnesota needs is a man who knows how to play the point well. With the current point guard’s future up in the air, selecting a young one like Terry could create an opportunity to make a difference from the jump.
San Antonio Spurs (from Toronto): TyTy Washington Jr. (PG, Kentucky)
As the Spurs field offers for Dejounte Murray, the only pure point guard or floor general they have left is Tre Jones, and even at this spot drafting a forward would be somewhat of a reach. So when drafting TyTy Washington, the Spurs are getting a shot creator and a shifty defender.
Denver Nuggets: Blake Wesley (SG, Notre Dame)
With Jamal Murray coming back next season, the Nuggets could use another solid and reliable back-up guard. Wesley is exactly that. He has potential to grow into a solid point guard in the NBA with his intelligence, quickness, size, and outstanding feel for the game on the offensive end. The former Notre Dame guard was second team All-ACC last season. Wesley, and Nah'Shon Hyland would mess extremely well together on the floor given their lateral quickness and ability to make the right decision at the right time.
Memphis Grizzlies (from Utah): Jaden Hardy (SG, G League Ignite)
After a spectacular season, the Memphis Grizzlies will be a team to watch for and to continue their rise and retool. The addition of Jaden Hardy would be ideal as his raw athleticism and shooting touch would work well with this tough Grizzlies team that did lack the much-needed shooting in the Western Conference playoffs.
Philadelphia 76ers: Kennedy Chandler (PG, Tennessee)
There is no solid back-up guard on the 76ers roster. Tyrese Maxey has taken control of the starting job, but who better to supplement him off the bench than the former Tennessee Volunteer, Kennedy Chandler. Chandler has elite skills with the ball in his hands, and does not turn the ball over at a high clip. He is creative, knowing how to find the open man in a matter of seconds. His size could limit him defensively, and offensively, but Chandler works extremely hard on both ends of the floor that could make him an X-factor off the 76ers bench.
Milwaukee Bucks: Walker Kessler (C, Auburn)
As Brook Lopez missed a majority of last season and the acquisition of Serge Ibaka had no immediate impact. The Milwaukee Bucks have to go with center Walker Kessler out of Auburn not only because of his similar skill set to Lopez, a stretch big but his because of his defensive capabilities on the court that showcased this season to be very impactful in Auburn returning as one of the top programs in SEC basketball. This selection as well minimizes the use of Bobby Portis at the five and keeps him a natural four or stretch five in small-ball situations.
San Antonio Spurs (from Boston): Jake LarAVIA (pf, wAKE Forest)
Nobody in this entire draft screams more San Antonio Spurs than the Wake Forest product Jake LaRavia. He shot 40 percent from beyond the arc last season, and can score the ball from all different areas of the floor. He has great court awareness, and is one of the smartest basketball minds in the entire first round. LaRavia may struggle to create his own offense at times, but the Demon Deacon has the talent to knock down a tough shot from anywhere on the floor. Not the most athletic of players, but LaRavia has plenty of upside given his shooting gifts, and intelligence as a basketball player.
Houston Rockets: Andrew Nembhard (PG, Gonzaga)
With reports circulating that Dennis Schroder will not return and Eric Gordon available, the Rockets will be in need of a guard on the roster. As the Rockets as well will need a floor general, off-ball, playmaking guard like Andrew due to John Wall’s situation, second-year point guard Daishen Nix, and point forward Kevin Porter Jr. leading the team.
Miami Heat: Patrick Baldwin Jr. (SF, Milwaukee)
A player who only played 11 games in college, but showed so much promise in high school that it makes him a first-round pick. He knows how to take advantage of mismatches, and knock down pull-up jumpers relatively comfortably. At six-feet-ten-inches, Baldwin Jr has a massive ceiling offensively, but his small sample size in college could make teams question his ability. Injuries limited him in college, but if any team in the league could get the best out of a player that possesses untapped potential, it is the Miami Heat.
Golden State Warriors: Christian Koloko (PF, Arizona)
Speculated to potentially trade their first-round pick it is unknown what the Warriors will do come draft night however if they were to keep the pick Arizona big men Christian Koloko would be the perfect fit for Golden State because of the team’s excellence in drafting undersized defense big men and the success that comes with just being a Warriors interior defender and rebounder.
Memphis Grizzlies: Nikola JOvic (SF, Mega mOZZART)
While it would be cool to see Jokic and Jovic team up on the same team, the fit in Memphis makes sense for a player that might need another season overseas. Jovic is an elite shot-creator, and possesses all the tools offensively that would make him a solid rotational player for any team. His defense needs work, but with Taylor Jenkins, and the rest of this tough-minded defensive squad, Jovic will learn quickly. It is just another offensive threat that frankly needed another one with some size down the stretch in the postseason.
Denver Nuggets (from OKC via Phoenix): dAVID rODDY (PF, cOLORADO sTATE)
For the Nuggets, they go with the best player available which in this case is Colorado State’s David Roddy who worked out for the team is fits well as a perimeter shooter something in which they formely had in JaMychal Green who they traded to acquire the last pick in the first round.
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