2022 NBA Mock Draft: Predicting Every 1st-Round Pick

2022 NBA Mock Draft: Predicting Every 1st-Round Pick

We're only a couple of days away from the 2022 NBA Draft. With so many rumors swirling around the web, we figured that we would try to predict how the first round of the NBA draft will play out.

So here it goes!

1. Magic: Jabari Smith, PF, Auburn

Jabari Smith has all the tools to be the first pick in the NBA Draft. He's one of the more versatile players in the league. The Magic will likely add Smith first overall.

2. Thunder: Chet Holmgren, PF, Gonzaga

The Thunder will settle for either Holmgren or Smith. With Smith off the board, the Thunder gets Holmgren, who probably has the lowest floor but a very high ceiling.

3. Rockets: Paolo Banchero, PF, Duke

The Rockets just traded away Christian Wood to the Mavericks. You know what that means. Banchero is going to Houston and many scouts believe he can make the quickest impact out of the top three players being drafted.

4. Kings: Jaden Ivey, SG, Kings

Jaden Ivey made it pretty clear that he doesn't want to go to Sacramento. But I still think he ends up being drafted at four regardless. I think eventually we get a trade from the Kings here, so I'll keep Ivey at four.

5. Pistons, Bennedict Mathurin, SG, Arizona

Mathurin was the Pac-12's Player of the Year and rumors have it that his individual workouts and interview sessions have him rising up the draft board.

6. Pacers: Keegan Murray, PF, Iowa

It's going to be interesting to see if the Pacers move Malcolm Brogdon and Myles Turner. What they get back probably changes their outlook on the draft. But Murray is still probably the best player on the board and should be able to make a solid impact early.

7. Blazers: AJ Griffin, SF, Duke

I think this is where things get tricky. The Blazers have options here between Griffin, Shaedon Sharpe, or Dyson Daniels. I think the Blazers go with the Duke product.

8: Pelicans: Shaedon Sharpe, SG, Kentucky

Nobody really knows much about Shaedon Sharpe but he's got the natural ability and was supposed to play for Kentucky last season. He was the number one ranked player in his high school class. Can the Pelicans get that talent out of him? I think so.

9. Spurs: Jalen Duren, C, Memphis

The Spurs are looking for a big man with Jakob Poeltl's contract expiring next season. Clearly, the league still needs this kind of talent after what we saw out of Robert Williams in the NBA Finals. Big centers are still a huge part of this game and Duren could be just as impactful.

10. Wizards: Oochai Agbaji, SG, Kansas

The Wizards can add one of the best shooters in the draft and a guy that took Kansas all the way to the National Championship.

11. Knicks: Johnny Davis, SG, Wisconsin

The Knicks will likely get the best player on the board. That's Johnny Davis, who was an absolute stud for the Badgers last season, basically carrying the offense for Wisconsin at times. This would be a solid fit.

12. Thunder: Jeremy Sochan, PF, Baylor

The Thunder are going to be solid at guard. They'll add Jeremy Sochan here and have an insane front court between Sochan and Holmgren.

13. Hornets: Mark Williams, C, Duke

The Hornets will want to add size in this year's draft. There's no better prospect than Mark Williams at this point in time.

14. Cavaliers: Malaki Branham, SF, Ohio State

The Cavaliers are in need of a small forward type of player. They've got great guards and a solid amount of forwards and centers. Branham is the perfect fit for this group.

15. Hornets: Dyson Daniels, G League

If Daniels falls this low in the draft, the Hornets will want to pick him up to pair with Williams who they drafted at 13.

16. Hawks: Jalen Williams, SF, Santa Clara

The Hawks are looking to shop John Collins and Kevin Huerter. That would mean they'll need to replenish the wing position. Williams is as complete of a player as you're going to find in this draft.

17: Rockets: TyTy Washington, PG, Kentucky

The Rockets might want to look at a small forward here but I think Washington gives them more production early. He's a versatile guard that can play shooting guard as well and he's a guy who can play on or off the ball and make an impact.

18. Bulls: Tari Eason, PF, LSU

Eason would be the perfect fit for the Bulls. Chicago is likely going to make a lot of trades and reshape the team but ultimately, the Bulls could use a legitimate high flyer like Eason at power forward. He can do a lot for a team.

19. Timberwolves: Ousmane Dieng, SG, France

Not every French player works out. But Dieng would be a good fit for Minnesota. He's become a better shot maker and can create for teammates.

20. Spurs: Blake Wesley, SG, Notre Dame

Wesley would fit well in the Spurs system. The Spurs have so many draft picks that they can pretty much get the best available here. Wesley has so much potential.

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21. Nuggets: Dalen Terry, PG, Arizona

I know Murray will be coming back but it's always good to have another guard that can handle more responsibilities.

22. Grizzlies: Jaden Hardy, SG, G League

Before the season began, Hardy was a top-five pick. Now he's dropping to 22. There's way too much talent there to pass him up if you're the Grizzlies.

23. 76ers: Nikola Jovic, SF, Serbia

He's not Nikola Jokic but he's got the potential to be a terrific player. The 76ers could be interested in pairing him up with Embiid along with Maxey and Harden.

24. Bucks: MarJon Beauchamp, SG, G League

The Bucks won't mind adding a G League-type player who can do all of the little things to fit in with the rest of the team. He's a great cutter, plays hard at the wing spot, and can rim-run with the best of them.

25. Spurs: Christian Braun, SG, Kansas

Braun has been under-appreciated for so long. He is a terrific shooter and a very good rebounder as well. Plus, he can lock down on the defensive end with great passing ability on the offensive end. The Spurs won't let him drop anymore.

26. Rockets: Walker Kessler, C, Auburn

Imagine pairing up Banchero and Kessler along with adding TyTy Washington in one day. The Rockets would be thrilled with this draft.

27: Heat: Kennedy Chandler, PG, Tennessee

If the Heat are going to give up on Kyle Lowry, they'll get their next point guard with this selection.

28: Warriors: Caleb Houston, SG, Michigan

They hit on Jordan Poole, why not try to hit on Houston?

29: Grizzlies: E.J. Liddell, PF, Ohio State

The Grizzlies have built a very young team. But not Liddell can fit right in when it comes to age and the Grizzlies don't have to wait on another player to develop.

30. Nuggets: Patrick Baldwin Jr., SF, Milwaukee

I don't know what to think of Patrick Baldwin Jr., but I know he's got a ton of talent and probably would've been better off at a bigger college with better players surrounding him. The Nuggets like adding these types of players.

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