Now that the Draft Lottery is over, we know the order of the 2022 NBA Draft. However, there are questions that have to be answered? Who are the Magic going to take #1 overall? Does anyone trade their pick? Talent or fit? Everything will broken down here on my NBA Mock Draft 2.0!
1. Orlando Magic – Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga, Center, 7’0 
Comparison: Karl-Anthony Towns
The Magic take the #1 talent in the draft #1 overall with Holmgren. The freshman averaged 14 points and just under 10 rebounds, while shooting 39% from 3. He can also play elite level defense, as the #2 High School Recruit averaged 3.7 blocks at 20 years old! There has not been someone that can do that in the history of the NBA! Holmgren has the talent, and can get Orlando a true franchise center, instead of Wendell Carter Jr. and/or Mo Bamba.
Advanced Stat: Holmgren had the best 2pt% in the NCAA last season
2. Oklahoma City Thunder – Jabari Smith Jr., Auburn, Forward, 6’10 
Comparison: Jayson Tatum
The Thunder may not get their franchise center, but they get a franchise player at #2. Smith is a gifted scorer, who averaged about 17 points and 7 rebounds. He also is an elite defender, getting 1 steal and 1 block per game at just 19 years of age. He also shot 42% from 3 on 5 attempts a night. He is a truly gifted player. While his dad made the NBA and lasted a good 5 years, Smith is the best basketball player in the family and one of the best players in the NBA Draft!
Advanced stat: He was 10th in the NCAA in win shares last season
3. Houston Rockets – Paolo Banchero, Duke, Forward, 6’10 
Comparison: Pascal Siakam
The Rockets got very unlucky dropping to #3 in the lottery. However, getting someone like Banchero is the last thing from unlucky! The 19 year old averaged 17 points and 8 rebounds as apart of the Blue Devils, leading the all time great program to another Final Four appearance. He is much more known though for his defense, where his 250 pounds comes into play. His offensive game could use some help. But his overall game makes him an overall great prospect, which is why he’s picked #3.
Advanced stat: He ranked 2nd in the ACC in points produced, despite only averaging 3 assists.
4. Sacramento Kings – Keegan Murray, Iowa, Forward, 6’8 
Comparison: Jayson Tatum
In my NBA Mock Draft 1.0, I had Sacramento selecting Murray #4 overall. And in my NBA Mock Draft 2.0, I have the exact the same thing! The 21 year old sophomore averaged 23.5 points and 9 rebounds, while shooting 55% from the field and 40% from 3. He also led Iowa to a Big Ten championship over Purdue. Something else to put on his resume is his development. He only averaged 7 points per game in 2021, which shows how quickly he can develop into one of my favorite prospects in the draft!
Advanced Stat: He ranked 7th in the NCAA in shot attempts and still shot very efficient (above).
5. Detroit Pistons – Shaedon Sharpe, UPlay Canada, Guard, 6’6 
Comparison: Jaylen Brown
Knowing Killian Hayes and his defense is not the answer, why not try to get the right guard to put next to Cade Cunningham? Unlike Jaden Ivey, Sharpe fits perfectly next to Cunningham because of his scoring and defense, while Cunningham can play make to players in the paint. Sharpe averaged 23 points and 6 rebounds and shot 56% from the field and 36% from 3. He did this on the UPlay Canada grassroots program on the Nike EYBL circuit after stepping down from Kentucky as the #1 prospect!
6. Indiana Pacers – Jaden Ivey, Purdue, Guard, 6’4 
Comparison: Devonte’ Graham
With Malcolm Brogdon most likely out the door, getting someone like Ivey can give the Pacers a great guard core to build around. The 20 year old averaged 17 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists, while leading Purdue to the Sweet 16 and a Big Ten championship appearance. He is a pretty decent defender as well, gaining about 1 steal per game. He also shot 36% from 3 on 5 attempts per night.
Advanced Stat: Ivey was 4th in points produced in the Big Ten last season.
7. Portland Trail Blazers – AJ Griffin, Duke, Forward, 6’6 
Comparison: Jason Terry
The Trail Blazers need someone that can come and immediately make an impact and give Damian Lillard help as soon as he comes to the team. Griffin brings that. The freshman averaged 10 points and 4 rebounds, while shooting 45% from 3 on 4 attempts per night. He also plays very good defense, even if the basic steal and block stats don’t show it. Even though there could be doubts on how much of an impact he can make on offense, his talent can transfer into the NBA and the Blazers system easily.
Advanced Stat: He ranked 1st in the ACC in Turnover Percentage in 2022.
TRADE: New Orleans Pelicans trade #8 overall pick to the New York Knicks for the #11 overall pick and a 2023 1st round pick
8. New York Knicks – Dyson Daniels, G League Ignite, Guard, 6’6 
Comparison: Lonzo Ball
The Knicks trade up to get Daniels to get the point guard they need. The 19 year old averaged 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. His height also allows him to be a very good defender on the perimeter, as he had 2 steals and nearly 1 block per game. He also shot 30% from 3, which is an area he has been improving on. Daniels is not really bad at any skill, but hasn’t perfected any skill either, and that is who the Knicks need as their future franchise point guard.
9. San Antonio Spurs – Jalen Duren, Memphis, Center, 6’11 
Comparison: Rudy Gobert
The Spurs move on from Jakob Poeltl and any other big to get their franchise center with Duren. The Memphis center averaged 12 points and 8 rebounds as an 18 year old. He is a great lob threat with his wingspan. He also is a very good post defender, as he averaged 2 blocks per game in 2022. Duren does have a lot to develop on, but he has a great chance to develop during, what is going to be San Antonio’s long lasting rebuild.
Advanced Stat: He ranked 2nd in the AAC in PER in 2022.
10. Washington Wizards – Johnny Davis, Wisconsin, Guard, 6’5 
Comparison: Bradley Beal
The Wizards have taken forwards in the 1st round in their last 5 drafts. Well, that changes when they take Davis. The Wisconsin guard averaged 20 points and 8 rebounds per game this season. He also averaged 1 steal and nearly 1 block. He did only shoot 30% from 3, but his scoring talent will develop that shot eventually. He also improved greatly in his sophomore season than in his freshman season in every important category besides 3pt%, where his 3pt attempts went up 2.7 more per game in 2022.
Advanced Stat: He was 2nd in the Big Ten in Usage Percentage in 2022.
11. New Orleans Pelicans – Jeremy Sochan, Baylor, Forward, 6’9 
Comparison: Draymond Green
I had the Pelicans trade down to #11 because I think they should draft Sochan. However, he’s not projected to get drafted into the top 10. But, the Pelicans draft Sochan to be the main enforcer and defender off the bench, and give New Orleans some insurance if Zion Williamson gets injured. The Baylor forward averaged 9 points and 6 rebounds in 2022. However, it’s off the stat sheet where his defense and overall abilities come into handy and that is why he is one of my favorite prospects in this year’s draft.
Advanced Stat: He ranked 4th in the Big Ten in Defensive Rating in 2022.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder – Ousmane Dieng, NZ Breakers, Forward, 6’7 
Comparison: OG Anunoby
When I think of Dieng’s skill set and progression, I immediately thought of him being on the Thunder. Dieng played overseas for the Nebraska Breakers of the NBL and averaged 9 points and 3 rebounds. He also shot 27% from 3 on 4 attempts per night. While those stats may seem very underwhelming, no prospect has amazing stats overseas, since it’s college age kids going against 30 year old grown men. Dieng has potential but needs time, and OKC’s rebuild has a lot of that!
13. Charlotte Hornets – Bennedict Mathurin, Arizona, Forward, 6’7 
Comparison: Kawhi Leonard
The Hornets get the biggest steal in the draft with Mathurin #13 overall. The Arizona forward averaged 18 points and 6 rebounds, while shooting 37% from 3. He also played great defensively, averaging 1 steal per game. He also led Arizona to a #1 seed in March Madness. Mathurin is a 3 and D kind of player and now as he continues to develop his game in the paint, he could eventually become a very dangerous player for the 29 other teams in the league!
Advanced Stat: He ranked 1st in the Pac-12 in Offensive Win Shares in 2022.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers – Malaki Branham, Ohio State, Guard, 6’5 
Comparison: Klay Thompson
The Cavaliers get their guard to put next to Darius Garland with Branham, #14 overall. The 19 year old freshman averaged 14 points and 4 rebounds with Ohio State, while leading the Buckeyes to another NCAA appearance. Branham’s main asset is his 3pt shot, where he shot 42% from 3! He also plays very tough defense, which allows to guard his opponent on the perimeter. He’s a very talented player and Garland would do a perfect job setting him up.
Advanced Stat: He ranked 7th in the Big Ten in Field Goal Percentage in 2022…as a guard!
15. Charlotte Hornets – Mark Williams, Duke, Center
16. Atlanta Hawks – Ochai Agbaji, Kansas, Forward
17. Houston Rockets – TyTy Washington, Guard, Kentucky
18. Chicago Bulls – Tari Eason, LSU, Forward
19. Minnesota Timberwolves – Kennedy Chandler, Guard, Tennessee
20. San Antonio Spurs – Terquavion Smith, NC State, Guard
21. Denver Nuggets – Dalen Terry, Arizona, Guard
22. Memphis Grizzlies – EJ Liddell, Ohio State,Forward
23. Brooklyn Nets – Walker Kessler, Auburn, Center
24. Milwaukee Bucks – Jalen Williams, Santa Clara, Guard
25. San Antonio Spurs – Nikola Jovic, Mega Soccerbet, Forward
TRADE: Dallas Mavericks trade down to #32 and the Indiana Pacers get the #26 overall pick
26. Indiana Pacers – Bryce McGowens, Nebraska, Guard
27. Miami Heat – MarJon Beauchamp, G League Ignite, Guard
28. Golden State Warriors – Blake Wesley, Notre Dame, Guard
29. Memphis Grizzlies – Kendall Brown, Baylor, Forward
30. Oklahoma City Thunder – Christian Braun, Kansas, Guard
(32. Dallas Mavericks – Jake Laravia, Wake Forest, Guard)
This NBA draft will probably bring a lot of surprises. I personally have 2 trades happening involving picks. But maybe players will get involved in some trades for the draft, like Russell Westbrook was on draft night last season. I think this year’s NBA draft has a lot of talent and I’m looking forward to seeing where that talent lands!
Chase Coburn
chasecpc@gmail.com
chase@chasessportsnews.com
Wiz Talk with Chase
Cool Sports Network
chasessportsnews.com
chasecoburn.substack.com
Leave a Reply