2022 NBA Mock Draft: Jabari Smith goes first to Magic, Shaedon Sharpe drops to Spurs

Smith seems to have secured his place as Orlando’s clear-cut best choice forward of draft evening. The versatile ahead’s elite shot-making expertise may assist elevate a Magic team that ranked second to final in points per recreation final season. Smith shoots the lengthy ball of the catch effectively and put the ball on the ground when he wants to. His size and defensive effort ought to fit in effectively alongside the Magic’s different lanky frontcourt players.

No player suits OKC’s wants like Holmgren. The Gonzaga product generally is a nightly double-double menace who scores effectively and impacts the sport as a relentless shot blocker on the defensive finish. His slight body may deter some, however he has the skillset to be a key constructing block for Oklahoma City as a power ahead or center.

The Rockets could be getting probably the most gifted player within the draft at third total. Houston has a ton of work to do in its post-Harden period and has cleared the way in which for one of many draft’s most pure scorers by buying and selling Christian Wood. While Banchero’s best skill is creating shots for himself, he also can make performs for others. Slotting him beside Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. may make for a strong offensive team down the street.

It’s unclear whether or not Ivey can be a King by the top of the evening, however the Purdue guard is extensively seen because the fourth-best prospect within the 2022 NBA Draft class. His downhill explosiveness and ability to make highlight-reel performs helps him stand out as an athlete, and he may assist solidify a backcourt that handed up Tyrese Halubirton final season to herald Domantas Sabonis.

Mathurin is the best potential backcourt associate for Cade Cunningham if Ivey comes off the board fourth. Last 12 months’s first total pick has the eys to the offense and wishes a dynamic scorer to play with who can capitalize on his gravity as a ball handler. Mathurin can spot up for jump shots and get to the rim. That ought to assist increase final season’s third-worst scoring offense.

Murray was one of the productive school players within the nation final 12 months and the Pacers may actually use an enormous wing. He shot 55.4 % from the sector as a sophomore and may very well be an incredible fit alongside one other environment friendly shooter in Buddy Hield ought to T.J. Warren stroll in free company. Murray’s transition offense and effectivity could make him an instantaneous asset as a scorer.

Daniels is a jumbo-sized guard at 6’6″ and stood out as a gifted playmaker and perimeter defender throughout his lone season with the G League Ignite. His outdoors taking pictures leaves one thing to be desired, however Portland’s abysmal defense may use a sturdy stopper apart from Josh Hart within the rotation. The team is dedicated to constructing round Damian Lillard, however Anfernee Simons is not the famous person’s best fit as a backcourt associate.

Dieng is seen as considered one of this draft’s most fascinating worldwide prospects. The 6’10” wing is uncooked however has showcased guard expertise in his ability to make powerful shots off the dribble and run the break on his personal. He confirmed huge enchancment all through his final season with the New Zealand Breakers. The Pelicans may use a backcourt associate for C.J McCollum, however I believe they’re going to swing for the fences due to the Frenchman’s ceiling. Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson will just do tremendous holding down the frontcourt if he wants extra time to develop.

Sharpe hasn’t performed organized basketball at a excessive degree, however his prep numbers and measurables are off the charts. San Antonio may use a alternative for Derrick White and Sharpe’s may very well be a very good fit subsequent to Dejounte Murray. The Spurs have an incredible monitor record when it comes to growing expertise and will benefit from his instruments.

The Wizards are stacked within the frontcourt with Kyle Kuzma, Kristaps Porzingis, Thomas Bryant, and Rui Hachimura. While Bradley Beal has improved as a playmaker, Washington wants a ground common after ending the 12 months rotating between Thomas Satoransky, Ish Smith, and Raul Neto. Washington’s freshman 12 months at Kentucky was derailed by accidents, however he is a prepared passer who can play on or off and has contact across the rim.

Duren did not have the best 12 months at Memphis as a freshman, however he may develop into a dominant center as soon as he polishes his recreation just a little extra. New York may use some rim protection and rebounding with Mitchell Robinson coming into free company. His offense will come alongside in time and he has the athleticism to be a strong lob menace for now.

Davis has been trending upward since winning a gold medal with Team USA and will step in as a much-needed wing scorer for the Thunder in the event that they half methods with Luguentz Dort this offseason. OKC ranked useless final in points per recreation on the finish of 2021-22 and will use some firepower. Davis is streaky like Dort but additionally boasts sufficient defensive versatility to keep in entrance of guards and wings.

Charlotte’s inside defense was lackluster all 12 months in 2021-22. The Hornets often performed players who’re extra suited to wing roles at power ahead, they usually’d jump on the probability to get one of the versatile defensive ahead within the draft class within the late lottery. Sochan’s shot is a work in progress, however his lateral mobility and energy may assist the Hornets get higher on the surface and within the paint.

The Cavs have been reportedly eyeing Patrick Williams earlier than the Chicago Bulls sniped him one pic earlier a number of years in the past and will use extra size on the wing to proceed constructing a defensive juggernaut. Eason has been considered one of this 12 months’s quickest risers and boasts extra ideally suited size for switching than Isaac Okoro and shot higher than the latter from vary in school. Cleveland can increase its defensive versatility and add an environment friendly shooter.

Duren will probably be the second center off the board, however I believe Charlotte can be open to taking a stab on the third-best 5 in the event that they make this pick. Mason Plumlee and Montrezl Harrell did not fairly get the job executed final season. While Williams is restricted on offense, his rebounding and shot-blocking may very well be an enormous assist in the publish.

Griffin is seen as a probable top-10 pick in no circles, however he does not appear to have knocked any team’s socks off through the draft course of. There have been considerations in regards to the knee injury he suffered at Duke and his defensive motor. I believe the Hawks can get a steal outdoors of the lottery and replace Cam Reddish with one other promising 3-and-D prospect.

Agbaji is without doubt one of the extra NBA-ready players out there, however I believe the four-year Kansas alum may drop outdoors of the lottery due to his perceived age and upside. The 22-year-old may step onto a Rockets team that appears probably to make extra strikes. Wood is gone and Houston may use a long-range sniper to replace Eric Gordon if he is shipped off for draft capital.

The Bulls have a strong beginning 5 and will use extra perimeter taking pictures off the bench. Branham was extraordinarily efficient from deep at Ohio State and has the size the play taking pictures guard and small ahead. Defensive lapses may restrict his publicity, however he has the abilities to be an efficient bench scorer if given sufficient enjoying time. The Bulls can create loads of area for him with top-notch scorers like Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan operating the offense.

The Timberwolves are reportedly wanting to discover a new residence for D’Angelo Russell and will have a serious gap to fill in the event that they discover a appropriate commerce associate. Minnesota may use a bump in scoring and playmaking if a deal does undergo. Williams can rating, create for others, and was elite within the collegiate ranks as a spot-up shooter. He may not begin, however he is may very well be a beneficial rotational piece within the backcourt for a team with out a true level guard.

The Spurs are mentioned to be taken with bringing in a conventional center, they usually can get arguably the best rim protector within the draft class within the again half of the first spherical with Kessler. The Auburn large man blocked a ridiculous 4.6 shots per recreation with the Tigers. His defensive affect may very well be excellent, however his offensive improvement continues to be coming alongside. San Antonio can use him as a alternative for Jakob Poeltl.

Michael Porter Jr.’s injury historical past is trigger for concern and Denver does not have a legit backup for him at small ahead apart from Aaron Gordon. Gordon begins on the four so bringing in some younger expertise on the wing may very well be good for the Nuggets. Baldwin was a blue chip expertise that dedicated to Duke earlier than going to play for his father in an injury-riddled freshman season. They acquired some nice outcomes when Porter was healthy. Why not swing for the fences once more with one other well-rounded, offensive wing?

Ja Morant goes to be one of many best level guards on the earth for some time, however the Grizzlies may nonetheless use a backup plan. Memphis’s star guard was injured fairly a bit this previous season and Tyus Jones was one of many causes the team stayed afloat throughout his absence. Jones is coming into free company although and there is no assure he is returning. Chandler is one other smaller defensive guard like Jones and has a pass-first mentality that might benefit the scorers round him in a reserve role.

Beauchamp wore all of the hats for the G League Ignite after leaving school to play professional for a season. The 6’6″ wing averaged 15.1 points and seven.3 rebounds on 57.1 % taking pictures by way of 12 showcase games. His long-range taking pictures wasn’t good, however he is a strong finisher with the potential to be a plus defender. Philadelphia may need him if Matisse Thybulle does not make important strides as a scorer whereas Danny Green is injured.

Hardy was one of many G League Ignite’s most highly-touted recruits however struggled with effectivity in his first professional season. Milwaukee may use some youth at guard behind Jrue Holiday, at Hardy has the arrogance and expertise to step in and take over in time. While he averaged a team-high 17.7 points per recreation on poor taking pictures splits in his final season, Milwaukee has the inspiration to give him time to develop.

The Spurs are just a little undersized at small ahead and power ahead with Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson on the 3 and 4. San Antonio has had loads of success with worldwide prospects over time, so bringing in a 6’10” 19-year-old who can shoot and has guard-like expertise does not appear to be a foul concept. Jovic has professional expertise and can solely get higher with high-level NBA teaching.

Houston traded Wood for this pick and will go for upside to construct out a roster that is starved for lengthy wings. Brown had an up-and-down 12 months at Baylor however it’s onerous to ignore his bodily presents. He boasts a 41.5-inch vertical jump in a 6’8″ body. Brown shot the ball effectively on restricted quantity and will assist one of many league’s worst defenses construct a basis.

Moore wanted some additional time at Duke to get draft-ready however has the proper persona to mesh effectively with the Miami Heat. The hard-nosed wing defender blossomed as a scorer and made massive strides as a passer in his final run with the Blue Devils. Playing spot minutes behind Jimmy Butler and others stoppers would serve him effectively.

Lidell had arguably the best school profession of any player within the draft and is prepared to contribute to an NBA team now. The undersized ahead scores and rebounds effectively and will nonetheless combine with the Warriors’ younger core at 21 years outdated. His mobility may fit the Dubs’ small-ball type and his ability to shoot the three may create ideally suited ground spacing for the splash brothers.

LaRavia may not play significant minutes in 12 months one however is suited to play for lots of groups in a reserve role. The Wake Forest ahead is efficient on each side of the ball and acquired to the free-throw line often while not having a ton of shots to affect games in school. Kyle Anderson may very well be out the door and LaRavia may play spot minutes behind Jaren Jackson and Dillon Brooks.

Will Barton is holding down the fort for the Nuggets at taking pictures guard, however Denver may use one other downhill menace. Wesley is almost 6’5″ with a 6’9″ body and has a excessive motor. His physicality may very well be helpful for a Denver squad that lacks guard size off the bench.