2nd 2022 NBA Mock Draft.
- Orlando Magic: Jabari Smith
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Chet Holmgren
- Houston Rockets: Paolo Banchero
- Sacramento Kings: Shaedon Sharpe
- Detroit Pistons: Jaden Ivey
Notes: The NBA Draft Combine was held over the weekend, which led to a lot of changes on my 2nd mock. The top 3 picks are almost certain to fall no lower than 3rd, but what team they go to isn’t set in stone at all right now. The latest buzz from ESPN’s Jonathan Givony & Mike Schmitz (h/t to Luke Adams of HoopsRumors) indicates Jabari Smith could be taken 1st by Orlando with Chet Holmgren going 2nd to OKC. I still have Paolo Banchero at #3 and Shaedon Sharpe at #4, but the Pistons’ #5 pick is where the major changes start with Jaden Ivey. Again, I believe Detroit should draft a big man. However, James Edwards III of The Athletic recently wrote that the club is considering Sharpe, Ivey, Keegan Murray, & Bennedict Mathurin.
- Indiana Pacers: Keegan Murray
- Portland Trail Blazers: Jeremy Sochan
- New Orleans Pelicans: Dyson Daniels
- San Antonio Spurs: Mark Williams
- Washington Wizards: Bennedict Mathurin
Notes: Indiana’s success with the older Chris Duarte makes me convinced they’ll do the same with Keegan Murray this season. Jeremy Sochan might intrigue Portland enough to keep their pick based on the every year need that they try to fill at the wing defender position. The G League Ignite’s Dyson Daniels had a great showing at the combine and is currently shooting up everyone’s draft board. Mark Williams was another prospect who helped his stock at the combine, as his measurements and performance are a strong sign he could be selected over Jalen Duren. At #10, no change there with Bennedict Mathurin going to the Washington Wizards where I think he can start.
- New York Knicks: Johnny Davis
- Oklahoma City Thunder: AJ Griffin
- Charlotte Hornets: Jalen Duren
- Cleveland Cavaliers: Malaki Branham
Notes: Johnny Davis’ three point numbers (30.6% 3-PT) definitely scare me at the moment, but Marc Berman of the New York Post reported that Davis had a productive meeting with the Knicks. Since I now have OKC taking Chet and Mark Williams moving up, AJ Griffin seems like the right fit on catch and shoot plays with Josh Giddey. Jalen Duren falls all the way to #13 to Charlotte, but he still has time to impress at team workouts, as Williams has created the well deserved early post combine buzz. At #14 is another new name, Ohio State’s Malaki Branham. Like I said in my last mock, the lack of offense on the Cavs’ bench in the play-in tournament makes me convinced they’ll select a scorer, but also Branham’s impressive combine workout, where he is on everyone’s mock (late lottery), and him playing nearby are all signs that could interest Cleveland. Nikola Jovic & Jaden Hardy fall out of my mock, but I still believe them two along with Kansas’ Ochai Agbaji are lottery level players over Davis & Branham.
