.jpg?itok=9PzLLnHo "NBA Mock Draft 2022: Jabari Smith Jr., Chet Holmgren go 1-2 to Magic, Thunder in complete 2-round edition")
With the Golden State Warriors being crowned NBA champions, all focus shifts to the 2022 NBA Draft.
The draft is less than a week away, set for Thursday, June 23rd, and the Orlando Magic are on the clock.
The Magic have weighed their options since winning the NBA Draft Lottery back in May, and they appear to be fixated on one of the three freshman bigs in Auburn’s Jabari Smith Jr., Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren or Duke’s Paolo Banchero.
How will the draft order shake out after Orlando’s top pick? Take a look at our updated 2022 NBA Mock Draft following the conclusion of the NBA Finals.
For comparison to previous Mock Drafts, you can check out our editions from the start of college basketball season, after the NBA trade deadline, before the start of the NCAA Tournament, after the NCAA Tournament and after the NBA Draft Lottery.
So without further ado – with the first pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, the Magic select…
NBA Mock Draft 2022
First Round
1. Orlando Magic: Jabari Smith Jr., Auburn
Position: F
Height and weight: 6-foot-10, 210 lbs.
Age: 19, Freshman
The Magic appear to be locked in on Smith with the No. 1 pick, and for good reason. Smith will give Orlando the size, versatility, athleticism and perimeter shooting it desperately needs. He can play alongside Wendell Carter Jr. to make a terrorizing defensive frontcourt and he fits nicely next to last year’s standout rookie, Franz Wagner. Guards like Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony will make life easier for Smith as a spot-up shooter and if he can develop his shot creation skills, he’ll give the Magic a No. 1 scoring option down the road.
NBA DRAFT SCOUTING REPORT: Jabari Smith Jr.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder: Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga
Position: F/C
Height and weight: 7-foot-1, 190 lbs.
Age: 20, Freshman
The Thunder already have their backcourt of the future in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey and with this pick, they’ll get some much-needed length and rim protection in Holmgren. Holmgren fits Oklahoma City’s tendency to target players with size and length, and next to Gilgeous-Alexander and Giddey, he’ll be able to ease into an offensive role as a post threat and secondary scorer. Holmgren will also help stretch the floor for the Thunder but most importantly, it’s his defense that will be an asset to this rebuilding OKC roster.
NBA DRAFT SCOUTING REPORT: Chet Holmgren
3. Houston Rockets: Paolo Banchero, Duke
Position: F
Height and weight: 6-foot-10, 235 lbs.
Age: 19, Freshman
Even though Banchero slides to No. 3 here, this is a perfect fit for the Duke product. The Rockets could use a scorer like Banchero to take some pressure off of last year’s No. 2 pick Jalen Green, and it’s an added bonus that the freshman star is also an advanced playmaker to also help set up the prolific bucket-getter. Banchero will give Houston a versatile player on both ends of the floor who will be a great building block for the future of the franchise, and after trading starting power forward Christian Wood, its cleared the way for this selection. Banchero, in my opinion, is the best player in this draft class, and the Rockets would be lucky for him to fall two slots.
NBA DRAFT SCOUTING REPORT: Paolo Banchero
4. Sacramento Kings: Jaden Ivey, Purdue
Position: G
Height and weight: 6-foot-4, 200 lbs.
Age: 20, Sophomore
This is a tough spot for the Kings because Ivey will undoubtedly be the best player remaining on the board, but Sacramento just cleared up a backcourt logjam last season. After the Kings drafted Davion Mitchell with their first-round pick last year, they traded away Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield to solidify De’Aaron Fox as their lead guard of the future. But Sacramento needs as much talent as it can get and passing on Ivey would be ill-advised. The Purdue sophomore could pair with Fox to make one of the fastest backcourts in the NBA and they’d both play nicely off of a skilled and cerebral big man like Domantas Sabonis. Passing on the best player available because of the presence of Mitchell and Fox would be a mistake.
MORE: Could Ivey become the best prospect in the 2022 NBA Draft class?
5. Detroit Pistons: Shaedon Sharpe, Kentucky
Position: G
Height and weight: 6-foot-6, 200 lbs.
Age: 18, Freshman
The Pistons dropped to No. 5 as a result of the draft lottery but it puts them in line to shore up their backcourt of the future in Sharpe and Cade Cunningham. Sharpe is a bit of a mystery man after declaring for the draft without playing a single game for Kentucky, but his elite scoring ability and leaping athleticism are a match made in heaven next to a playmaker of Cunningham’s caliber. Sharpe fills the void for a shot-creator in Detroit to round out an impressive and young offensive trio alongside Cunningham and sharpshooter Saddiq Bey.
MORE: Sharpe 2022 NBA Draft Prospect Profile: Strengths, weaknesses
6. Indiana Pacers: Keegan Murray, Iowa
Position: F
Height and weight: 6-foot-8, 215 lbs.
Age: 21, Sophomore
The Pacers would be fortunate for Murray to make it past Sacramento and Detroit, as the versatile forward is the missing piece for Indiana’s retooling. Murray was one of the best and most efficient scorers in the country last season and would give the Pacers some offensive firepower in their frontcourt. He can play with or without the ball in his hands and would thrive next to playmakers like Tyrese Haliburton and Malcolm Brogdon with a shooter like Buddy Hield on the perimeter to give him space to operate inside the arc. Defensively, he can comfortably defend four positions and would pair perfectly as a mobile frontcourt.
7. Portland Trail Blazers: Dyson Daniels, G League Ignite
Position: G
Height and weight: 6-foot-8, 180 lbs.
Age: 19
The Trail Blazers need help on the defensive end and Daniels is one of the best and most versatile defenders in this draft class. At 6-foot-8 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, Daniels can guard up and down the positional chart with his size, length and speed. He’s a jumbo playmaker who can make life easier for Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons when he has the ball in his hands, but he can also play off the ball and score as a slasher. After spending a year with the Ignite, he’ll be ready to make an impact immediately, which fits Lillard’s win-now timeline more than some of these other prospects.
8. New Orleans Pelicans (via LAL): Bennedict Mathurin, Arizona
Position: G
Height and weight: 6-foot-6, 195 lbs.
Age: 19, Sophomore
The Pelicans proved they’re one of the league’s best young cores with their run in the 2022 NBA Playoffs — and that was without Zion Williamson on the floor. Add Mathurin into the mix and New Orleans will fill its need for more perimeter shooting while also gaining a secondary ball-handler and shot creator next to CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram. Mathurin would help space the floor for Williamson, McCollum, Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas and complements their youthful group of defenders like Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III and Jose Alvarado.
9. San Antonio Spurs: Jalen Duren, Memphis
Position: C
Height and weight: 6-foot-11, 250 lbs.
Age: 18, Freshman
Duren is the most physical player in this draft class with an NBA-ready body and plus-athleticism. Even though the Spurs already have a quality rim protector in Jakob Poeltl, Duren’s speed and fluidity make him better suited for San Antonio’s core group of the future in Dejounte Murray and Keldon Johnson. His defense will be an instant asset for the Spurs, while his offensive game needs some polishing. But who better to bring the most out of Duren than the organization that groomed Hall of Fame bigs like David Robinson and Tim Duncan?
10. Washington Wizards: Johnny Davis, Wisconsin
Position: G
Height and weight: 6-foot-5, 194 lbs.
Age: 20, Sophomore
The Wizards need another backcourt mate for Bradley Beal and even though Davis isn’t the true point guard they could probably use, his defense and winning mentality would be beneficial for Washington. Davis is a competitive defender and strong shot creator who would add a physical presence on the perimeter for the Wizards. He can play with or without the ball, which does pair nicely next to Beal, who often operates with the ball in his hands. Davis will give Washington a primary defender for wing assignments and his attitude and work ethic would be invaluable to the organization.
11. New York Knicks: AJ Griffin, Duke
Position: F
Height and weight: 6-foot-6, 220 lbs.
Age: 18, Freshman
The Knicks need help on the offensive end and Griffin might just be the best pure shooter in this class. The freshman wing can knock down shots from anywhere on the floor. He has a confident catch-and-shoot jumper, but he’s also capable of putting the ball on the floor and using his strong frame to attack the basket. He would give New York another perimeter player with size, fitting like a glove next to a fellow Duke Blue Devil in RJ Barrett.
MORE: Complete list of NBA Draft green room invitees
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC): Jeremy Sochan, Baylor
Position: F
Height and weight: 6-foot-9, 230 lbs.
Age: 19, Freshman
I had the Thunder selecting Holmgren with the No. 2 pick and I’d expect them to continue to bolster their frontcourt with their second lottery selection here. Sochan makes perfect sense for an Oklahoma City team that could use help on the defensive end. At 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot wingspan, the Baylor freshman has all the tools to be a physical and switchy defender in the NBA. He has the size and athleticism to hold his ground against bigs but he’s also quick enough to guard wings on the perimeter. He’s an active cutter — something Giddey and Gilgeous-Alexander could feed off of — and he brings a ton of energy to both sides of the ball. If he can improve his jumper, Sochan’s ceiling will rise significantly.
13. Charlotte Hornets: Mark Williams, Duke
Position: C
Height and weight: 7-feet, 245 lbs.
Age: 20, Sophomore
The Hornets’ biggest need is a center and Williams is the perfect match at No. 13. While they could play the waiting game and hope that the frontcourt-loaded Cavaliers don’t take a big, I think it would be better for Charlotte to go get their guy right away. Williams was one of the best rim protectors in the country this past season and he’d give LaMelo Ball a safety valve as a lob threat. He has great hands, he brings a ton of energy on the glass and he’s a prototypical rim-runner in today’s NBA with good mobility.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers: Malaki Branham, Ohio State
Position: F
Height and weight: 6-foot-5, 180 lbs.
Age: 19, Freshman
The Cavaliers have their bases covered with big men, but they lack scorers on the wing. That makes Branham a missing puzzle piece for a young, up-and-coming team, as the Ohio State freshman is one of the best pure scorers in this draft class. The Big Ten Rookie of the Year is a fluid shot creator and knockdown shooter. He has good size and length as a defender and most importantly, he would give All-Star guard Darius Garland some serious relief on the offensive end. I believe Branham will be one of the players we look back on and wonder, “Why wasn’t he selected higher?” Add to it that he’s a Columbus, Ohio native and this match fits like a glove.
15. Charlotte Hornets (via NOP): Ochai Agbaji, Kansas
Position: G
Height and weight: 6-foot-5, 215 lbs.
Age: 22, Senior
In this scenario, the Hornets fill their biggest void with Williams at pick No. 13, so they can add some more wing depth here at 15. Agbaji would be a great running mate for a playmaker of Ball’s caliber as a fast and athletic forward who can run the lane, score off cuts and space the floor as a perimeter shooter. As an upperclassman who is one of the better 3-and-D prospects in this draft, Agbaji will be ready to enter an NBA rotation right away, which suits Charlotte’s timeline after losing in the Play-In Tournament in back-to-back seasons.
16. Atlanta Hawks: Ousmane Dieng, NZ Breakers (NBL), France
Position: F
Height and weight: 6-foot-9, 185 lbs.
Age: 19
Dieng’s stock has soared during the pre-draft process, rising as far as to receive an invitation to the green room on draft night. He doesn’t fit Atlanta’s win-now timeline, but he’s an intriguing development project with a ton of potential to brighten the team’s future around Trae Young. The 6-foot-9 forward is a creative scorer and shot creator with quality ball-handling for his size. He has the length to defend multiple positions and if he fills out his frame, he could be a diamond-in-the-rough-type steal.
17. Houston Rockets (via BKN): Tari Eason, LSU
Position: F
Height and weight: 6-foot-8, 216 lbs.
Age: 21, Sophomore
The Rockets already have plenty of offense and in this scenario where they select Banchero with the No. 3 pick, you can expect them to target defense with this selection. Eason is one of the best, most versatile defenders in his class with length, physicality and athleticism. He’s the type of switchable defender every NBA team is looking for, getting his hands in passing lanes and disrupting shots around the basket. Even without a polished jumper, he still averaged 17 points per game this past season at LSU. Eason is the type of defensive-minded player who can help speed up the Rockets’ rebuild.
18. Chicago Bulls: E.J. Liddell, Ohio State
Position: F
Height and weight: 6-foot-7, 240 lbs.
Age: 21, Junior
The Bulls’ biggest weakness was their frontcourt and Liddell is a two-way forward who could help address that area of need. He may be undersized at 6-foot-7 but he’s extremely athletic, strong and mobile to make up for what he lacks in height. He’s a savvy post scorer and improved as a 3-point shooter over his three years at Ohio State. He projects as a power forward or small-ball center who could give Chicago a boost on both ends of the floor.
19. Minnesota Timberwolves: TyTy Washington, Kentucky
Position: G
Height and weight: 6-foot-3, 185 lbs.
Age: 20, Freshman
Washington was once considered to be a potential top-10 pick before injuries and inconsistency derailed his freshman season. The Timberwolves could use some depth in their backcourt behind Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russell and if a talent like Washington is still on the board here, they could find their reserve floor general. Washington is a capable pick-and-roll ball-handler and a solid shooter, but he can be a streaky scorer. His ability to play on or off the ball makes him flexible for the team that selects him.
20. San Antonio Spurs (via TOR): Jalen Williams, Santa Clara
Position: F
Height and weight: 6-foot-6, 209 lbs.
Age: 21, Junior
Williams was one of the biggest winners of the NBA Draft Combine after measuring extremely well and flourishing during the scrimmages. At 6-foot-6 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan (!), Williams can defend multiple positions while adding some size and length as a playmaking scorer. His offensive versatility to play any position from point guard to power forward makes him an intriguing fit for the Spurs, giving them a unique player to add to a young core of Murray, Johnson and in this scenario, Duren.
21. Denver Nuggets: Jaden Hardy, G League Ignite
Position: G
Height and weight: 6-foot-4, 185 lbs.
Age: 19
While it’s hard to assess the Nuggets after playing the entire season without Jamal Murray and the majority of the season without Michael Porter Jr., it became clear they could use more offense outside of reigning MVP Nikola Jokic. Hardy would be a great fit for Denver as one of the most talented scorers in this draft class. He’s an advanced shot creator with quick handle and deep 3-point shooting range. While shot selection and consistency are his biggest knocks as a prospect, playing next to Jokic should set Hardy up for better looks than he’s ever seen before. The Nuggets could use his offensive prowess.
22. Memphis Grizzlies (via UTA): MarJon Beauchamp, G League Ignite
Position: F
Height and weight: 6-foot-6, 199 lbs.
Age: 21
The Grizzlies proved they have arrived this season after claiming the No. 2 seed in the West, so now they’ll be looking to continue to fill out their roster depth to try and get over the hump. Beauchamp would give Memphis more size, length and athleticism on the wing as a forward who could make a killing running alongside Ja Morant. He can fill a lane and score in transition and does a lot of damage as an active cutter. If he can develop into a more consistent 3-point shooter, Beauchamp would give the Grizzlies a strong 3-and-D player to plug into their already deep rotation.
23. Philadelphia 76ers: Kennedy Chandler, Tennessee
Position: G
Height and weight: 6-feet, 170 lbs.
Age: 19, Freshman
The 76ers were severely lacking playmaking and scoring off the bench behind James Harden and Tyrese Maxey. Chandler could fill both of those holes as a lightning-quick guard who is aggressive as a scorer and decisive as a playmaker. As his freshman season went on, he also started to knock down 3-pointers with more consistency. Add to it that he’s a pesky on-ball defender and Chandler has all the makings of a solid backup point guard behind Philadelphia’s starting backcourt.
24. Milwaukee Bucks: Blake Wesley, Notre Dame
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-foot-5, 185 lbs.
Age: 19, Freshman
The Bucks were in desperate need for a playmaking punch without Khris Middleton in their second-round loss to the Celtics. Wesley could be an interesting option for Milwaukee as a quick and shifty guard who has hardly scraped the floor of his potential as a player. Wesley has tight handle and changes direction in the blink of an eye, knifing through defenses. He’s a capable passer off the dribble, but he did tend to force it and turn the ball over at times. He’s a raw prospect but could provide some help for the Bucks’ lacking backcourt depth.
25. San Antonio Spurs (via BOS): Nikola Jovic, Mega Basket (ABA), Serbia
Position: F
Height and weight: 6-foot-10, 210 lbs.
Age: 18
The Spurs have three first-round picks and I could see them taking a flier on Jovic if he’s still available here. The 18-year-old is a point forward with an incredible feel for the game. He’s at his best playing on the perimeter with crafty passing skills, but also has great touch around the basket on the attack. He’s already shown he can perform against other professionals after this past season with Mega Basket and he feels like the type of international prospect the Spurs could develop into something special.
26. Houston Rockets (via DAL): Dalen Terry, Arizona
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-foot-7, 195 lbs.
Age: 19, Sophomore
The Rockets acquired this pick from the Mavericks in a trade that sent starting power forward Christian Wood to Dallas. Houston could use a young, reserve point guard to groom alongside Kevin Porter Jr. and Josh Christopher and Terry fits that bill as a tall, versatile playmaker who offers something different than the previous two players. Terry is a pass-first guard who has a great feel for the game on both ends of the floor. His size and length are intriguing at 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, giving the Rockets a developmental piece for their rebuild.
27. Miami Heat: Trevor Keels, Duke
Position: G
Height and weight: 6-foot-4, 221 lbs.
Age: 18, Freshman
The Heat’s need for a backup point guard became evident when Kyle Lowry went down during the playoffs. While Gabe Vincent did a strong job in his place, Miami could still use some help at the position. Keels is the type of strong and physical guard who could thrive in Heat Culture. He can defend multiple positions at a high level and he has a quick and powerful burst when he attacks the basket. Plus, Keels can knock it down from long range as he showed with some timely 3-point shots during Duke’s run to the Final Four. Keels is well worth a flier in the first round and Miami feels like a great fit.
28. Golden State Warriors: Christian Koloko, Arizona
Position: C
Height and weight: 7-foot-1, 230 lbs.
Age: 21, Junior
The Warriors proved the dynasty is alive and well but there were some glaring areas for improvement. One of them was a void for an athletic and vertical interior threat – which they should receive from former No. 2 pick James Wiseman once he returns next season – but there’s no harm in doubling down for depth with someone like Koloko. Koloko is one of the best interior defenders in this draft class, as evidence of taking home Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. He’s quick and athletic enough to keep up with Golden State’s smaller lineups and he could be a steal, considering he’s still growing as a player after primarily playing soccer until he was 15.
29. Memphis Grizzlies: Walker Kessler, Auburn
Position: Center
Height and weight: 7-foot-1, 245 lbs.
Age: 20, Sophomore
The Grizzlies’ frontcourt was lacking when Jaren Jackson Jr. continuously got in foul trouble during the 2022 NBA Playoffs. While Steven Adams brings a physical presence, they could use another brute force like that coming off the bench. That’s where Kessler makes sense, as the sophomore was the nation’s best shot-blocker this season. He may struggle at the NBA level because teams will hunt the clunkier big in pick-and-rolls, but he’s a strong rim protector, solid rebounder and has shown some signs of a perimeter shooting touch.
30. Denver Nuggets (via OKC): Christian Braun, Kansas
Position: G
Height and weight: 6-foot-6, 218 lbs.
Age: 20, Junior
The Nuggets acquired this pick from the Thunder and I could see them targeting wing depth – particularly with shooters and cutters – to complement Jokic. Braun is the type of 3-and-D player who could excel playing off of a playmaker of Jokic’s caliber. He has great instincts as a cutter and rebounds at a high level. He knocked down 38 percent of his 3s during his three seasons at Kansas and was a key cog in their National Championship run this past year. Braun does all the little things to help a team and the Nuggets could use a player who plays winning basketball the way he does as they look to compete immediately when they return to full strength next season.
Second Round
31. Pacers (via HOU): Jaylin Williams, F, Arkansas
32. Magic: Jake LaRavia, F, Wake Forest
33. Raptors (via DET): Caleb Houstan, F, Michigan
34. Thunder: Bryce McGowens, G, Nebraska
35. Magic (via IND): Kendall Brown, F, Baylor
36. Trail Blazers: Wendell Moore Jr., F, Duke
37. Kings: Ismael Kamagate, C, Paris
38. Spurs (via LAL): Peyton Watson, F, UCLA
39. Cavaliers (via SAS): Patrick Baldwin Jr., F, Milwaukee
40. Timberwolves (via WAS): Andrew Nembhard, G, Gonzaga
41. Pelicans: Justin Lewis, F, Marquette
42. Knicks: Ryan Rollins, G, Toledo
43. Clippers: Khalifa Diop, C, Gran Canaria
44. Hawks: Max Christie, G, Michigan State
45. Hornets: Josh Minott, F, Memphis
46. Pistons (via BKN): Michael Foster, F, G League Ignite
47. Grizzlies (via CLE): Hugo Besson, G, New Zealand Breakers
48. Timberwolves: David Roddy, F, Colorado State
49. Kings (via CHI): Dereon Seabron, F, NC State
50. Timberwolves (via DEN): Jean Montero, G, Overtime Elite
51. Warriors: Alondes Williams, G, Wake Forest
52. Pelicans (via UTA): Dominic Barlow, F, Overtime Elite
53. Celtics: Jabari Walker, F, Colorado
– Milwaukee: Forfeited
– Heat (via PHI): Forfeited
54. Wizards (via DAL): JD Davison, G, Alabama
55. Warriors: Ron Harper Jr., F, Nebraska
56. Cavaliers (via MIA): Gabriele Procida, F, Fortitudo Bologna
57. Trail Blazers (via MEM): Trevion Williams, C, Purdue
58. Pacers (via PHX): Moussa Diabate, F, Michigan