The Morning After: 5 teams who had a great draft
Image Courtesy of (NBCsports.com)
Last night, The NBA Draft took place. To say the least, it was an interesting night from the very start. All day yesterday it had been reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that it was pretty much a lock that the top 3 was going to be Jabari Smith Jr., Chet Holmgren, and Paolo Banchero, in that specific order. That seemed to be what was going to transpire up until 30 minutes before the draft when Woj changed his reporting and suggested that Banchero might go number 1 overall and not Smith. As the pick neared, this became more and more the case and Paolo Banchero was selected number 1 overall by The Orlando Magic. And we were off.
What followed last night was a lot of unexpected twists and turns that ultimately brought us through the conclusion of the 2022 NBA Draft. Like every year, there were some teams that came out of this draft having given their fans a renewed sense of hope and excitement, and some teams who left their fanbases questioning why they even bother to hope. Today we’re going to focus on the five teams that nailed it and set themselves up well for the future.
no. 5: New Orleans Pelicans
Selections:
#8: Dyson Daniels, G G-league Ignite
#41: E.J. Liddell, F Ohio State
#52: Karlo Matkovic, F-C Mega Mozzart (Serbia)
Coming off of a surprising run late in the season that saw them get through the play-in tournament and ultimately fall to the Suns in a competitive first round six game series, The Pelicans were looking to add immediate impact players to pair with the likes of veterans C.J McCollum, Brandon Ingram, and a hopefully healthy Zion Williamson. They were able to do just that. Dyson Daniels is an elite combo guard with the ability to impact the game on both ends with his passing and elite defense. In his only year in the G-league he led the Ignite in assists per game and steals per game. His 6-7 195 frame allows him to defend 1-5 and makes him a versatile playmaker at the guard position, something New Orleans sorely lacked last season. E.J. Liddell has the potential to be an impact wing coming off the bench immediately. 6-7 240 with an elite mid range game and above average passing ability, Liddell could have an impact in a limited role spelling for Zion or Brandon Ingram off the bench. While he doesn’t have the most upside there’s no doubt he was a first round talent with an NBA ready body who should not have slid all the way to 41. Karlo Matkovic is an athletic, energetic big from Serbia, but I would not expect to see him suiting up for New Orleans this year as he is likely a draft and stash player. With the additions of Daniels and Liddell to a team with players like McCollum, Ingram, Jones, and a returning Zion, expect the Pelicans to make some noise in the Western Conference this upcoming season.
No. 4: San Antonio Spurs
Selections:
#9: Jeremy Sochan, F Baylor
#20: Malaki Branham, F Ohio State
#25: Blake Wesley, G Notre Dame
The Spurs were another team that was able to make a stunning late season run to the play-in tournament, only to come up just short. They will now look toward building around a young core that contains the likes of first time all-star Dejounte Murray, Keldon Johnson, Lonnie Walker IV, Devin Vassell, and Josh Primo who are all 24 or younger. Last night, they took a big step. Jeremy Sochan is a young big that’s going to come in and have an immediate impact. He’s athletic, he can move his feet, he’s a versatile defender, and he plays with a ton of heart. He’s the typical Popovich pick. He might not have the most polished offensive game, but he crashes the boards and provides the Spurs with some toughness and energy coming off of the bench behind Jakob Poeltl. There’s plenty of room for improvement and upside offensively, but for a team that wants to get back to relevance, Sochan is a good pick. Malaki Branham might be one of the most overlooked players in this entire draft. He very well could be the most naturally gifted player to come out of Ohio State since D’Angelo Russell. This is a pick that we may look back in five years and ask how he slid to 20. This 6-5 200 pound guard/forward can flat out score. In 32 games for Ohio State he shot 50% from the field, 41% from 3 and 83% from the free throw line. Branham is a guy that can get it done from every level, at the basket, mid-range, and from distance. Blake Wesley is a guy that the Spurs could use to fill the void of Derrick White in the wake of him being traded to the Celtics mid-season. A scrappy guard from Notre Dame, he has solid length at 6-5 and the ability to apply good on the ball pressure to go along with Dejounte Murray. Now shooting is an issue, he only shot it 30% from 3 in college, however the one thing we know can be improved in the NBA is shooting from 3. The Spurs made solid improvements to their roster in the draft and they’re another team that could push for a playoff spot in an uber competitive western conference.
No. 3: Houston Rockets
Selections:
#3: Jabari Smith Jr., F Auburn
#17: Tari Eason, F LSU
#29: TyTy Washingtion, G Kentucky
The Houston Rockets had a bad year last year, there’s no way to sugarcoat it. However, there were certain bright spots, Jalen Green had a great year and was second on the team in scoring with 17.3 points per game. Alperen Sengun had a good rookie year, Jae’sean Tate was a pleasant surprise, and Kevin Porter Jr. for all of his faults had a good bounce back year. That all being said, it was still a bad year and they are clearly in the acquire talent phase of their rebuild. They did a great job of doing that last night. They may have gotten extremely lucky to have Jabari Smith Jr. fall to them at 3, time will tell just how lucky. The 6-10 220 Auburn product has tremendous potential. He’s got size, he’s got quickness, he can shoot, he can finish at the rim, and he’s a hard worker. On a team where no one wanted to play defense last year, Jabari Smith can come in and have a big impact on both sides of the ball, defensively in particular. He can guard all five positions, he can jump out of the building, he’s a sky-walker, whatever accolade you want to use. However, his ability to shoot the ball is what makes him special. He shot it 41% from 3 in college, he has a wonderful motion that should translate well to the NBA game. He’s a potential franchise pillar, it’s that simple. Speaking of defense, the Rockets followed up by selecting Tari Eason, the 6-8 216 forward out of LSU might be the best all around defensive player in the entire draft. Once again, he’s a lengthy forward with size and quickness, he’s a good athlete, and he competes. Now he does struggle to shoot, specifically from 3 and his mechanics are a bit off. However, if he can get in the gym and work on his motion with NBA shooting coaches and show improvement, he can be an elite 3 and D piece coming off the bench. TyTy Washington is an elite pass first 6-4 200 point guard out of Kentucky. When Sahvir Wheeler went out for a period of time at Kentucky last year, TyTy stepped in and broke John Wall’s school record for assists in a game with 17. He knows his role, he plays hard, and he moves the ball to create opportunities for others with his passing ability. He can come in, make an immediate impact by getting Kevin Porter Jr., Jalen Green, and Jabari Smith open looks and put them in the best position to succeed. He’s a natural floor general and a guy who could be top 5 in assists one day in the future. The Rockets needed talent and they got it, now let’s see if they can develop it.
No. 2: Detroit Pistons
Selections:
#5: Jaden Ivey, G Purdue
#13: Jalen Duren, C Memphis
#36: Gabriele Procida, F Italy
It was a very boring year in Detroit last year. They were not a good team, they don’t have exciting players other than last year’s number 1 pick Cade Cunningham. They just traded away their leading scorer in Jerami Grant to Portland for cap space, and they’re deep in a rebuild. Just like Houston, they are in the acquire talent phase of their rebuild. Not only did they acquire talent last night, they acquired potentially elite talent. We have to give credit in three areas, the Pistons front office, Jaden Ivey’s agents, and the Kings front office. Jaden Ivey is an elite guard, some would say he’s the next Ja Morant. Time will tell, but he certainly was the best point guard in this draft by far. He was the guy that the Pistons wanted all along. He’s an elite scorer, he’s a dynamic athlete, he finishes at the rim, and he can shoot and pass. He does everything well, and he does some things great. He’s a good compliment to Cade Cunningham, and if they both hit their potential they could be the dominant guard pairing in the league over the next ten years. Jalen Duren was the clear second best big man in the draft behind only Chet Holmgren. He’s 6-11 255, a man-child. An elite above the rim athlete, think Robert Williams but healthy and a more complete offensive game around the basket. A credible lob threat, an enforcer, and a potential defensive anchor for years to come. Rumors were they were going to take him at number 5 anyway if Ivey was not available, they wind up getting him for just a future conditional first round pick. A heist straight up. We don’t know much about Procida, he might wind up being a solid 3 and D wing for Detroit in a couple of years, but he’s a draft and stash all day, don’t expect him to suit up for the Pistons this year. Detroit went from one of the most boring teams, to one of the most intriguing overnight. You’re now looking at a starting lineup of Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart, and Jalen Duren. That’s an elite collection of talent, and good times are coming for the Detroit Pistons.
No. 1: Oklahoma City Thunder
Selections:
#2: Chet Holmgren, C Gonzaga
#11: Ousmane Dieng, F France
#12: Jalen Williams, F Santa Clara
#34: Jaylin Williams, C Arkansas
It was another rebuilding year for Oklahoma City last year, and they weren’t trying to hide it. Coming into this draft with 18 first round picks over the next 5 seasons and established young talent such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Luguentz Dort, and Darius Bazley, they were looking to add some force inside. And boy did they ever. It started with Chet Holmgren the 7 footer with a 7-6 wingspan out of Gonzaga. When it’s all said and done Holmgren could be the best player to come out of this class, he has the raw tools to be a star in this league, the only question is his skinny frame. A Kristaps Porzingis-Giannis Antetokounmpo hybrid, Holmgren has the length to be one of the best shot blockers in the league while having the quickness and handle of a point guard. He’s one of the more unique players to come out of the draft in a while. He’s also capable of stretching the floor, having hit over 40 3 pointers last year at Gonzaga. The only question is, will his body be able to sustain playing in the NBA? He’s going to have to put on 25-30 pounds, but if he can do that there’s nothing to suggest he can’t be a dominant player in the league for years to come. He and Josh Giddey would also form a deadly pick and roll or pick and pop combination, given Giddey’s elite passing ability. Far from done, the Thunder traded up to number 11 to select Ousmane Dieng a 6-10 205 pound forward out of France by way of New Zealand. Not much is known about Dieng but given his frame he has the potential to be an elite defender who can guard multiple positions and a solid rebounder at the NBA level. Like Holmgren he’ll have to fill out as well, and he doesn’t shoot it well from 3-point range, just 27% in fact, if he can show improvement there he has the tools to be a vital role player for the Thunder going forward. With the very next selection, the Thunder picked Jalen Williams, the 6-6 forward out of Santa Clara. This is a guy who flat out get buckets. He averaged 18 a game in college while shooting 51% from the field, 39% from 3, and 80% from the free throw line. He also has the body type to defend multiple positions and provides OKC with a great deal of versatility at the wing position, which is something they sorely lacked last year. Last but not least the Thunder selected Jaylin Williams the 6-11 240 pound center from Arkansas. This is a guy that just flat out competes, he’s a physical force inside, an excellent offensive rebounder, and he was able to draw a lot of charges last year. In fact he led all Division 1 players with 54 drawn charges. With Jaylin Williams paired up with Chet Holmgren the Thunder have an elite defensive pairing for many years to come. Now he does have limited range but on a team with so many other talented offensive players around him, he won’t be asked to shoulder a huge load offensively, which can give him time to develop his skill set. The intent from the Thunder is clear with this draft class. They wanted talented wings with upside and a dominant force in the frontcourt. They got both of those things in a variety of players. Now with a young core of Chet Holmgren, Josh Giddey, Lug Dort, Shai Gilgeous Alexander, and Darius Bazley, be on the lookout for a surprising ascension on the horizon.