Complete projections for the entire first round following the draft lottery in our new 2022 NBA Mock Draft.
The 2022 NBA Draft order is now set following Tuesday night’s lottery with the Orlando Magic winning the top overall selection. It was also a big night for the Oklahoma City Thunder and Sacramento Kings, both of which jumped into the top four overall picks.
Normally, we know who these teams will take as most classes have a clear-cut top prospect or order of top prospects. That’s not the case this year.
There are three top-tier prospects — Auburn’s Jabari Smith, Duke’s Paolo Banchero and Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren — that the top three teams will likely be choosing from next month. All three do different things well, giving each a different appeal depending on what the teams at the top want.
Those three are the headliners, but this class is also fairly deep with role players and high-upside prospects. There projects to be as many as 10-12 players who could start right away if they land in the right spot, giving the entire first round plenty of intrigue.
Where are those prospects likely to land? Here are our latest projections for the entire first round in our post-lottery 2022 NBA Mock Draft:
—Eight most impactful NBA Draft decisions
—Way-too-early Top 25 rankings for 2022-23
—Predicting the next wave of star CBB head coaches
1) Orlando Magic
Chet Holmgren, PF/C, Gonzaga – 7-foot, 195 lbs.
14.1 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 3.7 bpg, 60.7 FG%, 39.0 3P%
Holmgren is one of the most unique prospects in NBA Draft history. He’s an elite rim protector who is also a dynamic weapon with three-point range and the ball-handling and creation skills of a guard. The only downside, though, is that he’s rail thin. Questions about his durability in the NBA are legitimate, but there’s no one else who can do all the things he can do on the court. Holmgren would also be reunited with Jalen Suggs, his high school teammate who was Orlando’s top-five pick last season.
2) Oklahoma City Thunder
Jabari Smith, SF/PF, Auburn – 6-foot-10, 220 lbs.
16.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 2.0 apg, 42.9 FG%, 42.0 3P%
A clear top-3 prospect, Smith has both produced at a high clip in college and flashing obvious signs of immense untapped potential. His size and athleticism should make him an elite defender at the next level, and his 3-point shooting is spectacular. Smith will need to work on his ball-handling and shot creation skills, but there’s a lot to work with here. Oklahoma City would give him plenty of time and opportunity to develop.
3) Houston Rockets
Paolo Banchero, PF, Duke – 6-foot-10, 250 lbs.
17.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 3.2 apg, 47.8 FG%, 33.8 3P%
Banchero is the most lethal and polished scorer in this draft, and should have the biggest immediate impact. His versatility and ability to create for himself at 6-foot-10 is incredibly appealing. There are some concerns about the 19-year-old’s defense, but his offensive production and upside far outweighs those concerns. He and Jalen Green would form a lethal offensive duo.
4) Sacramento Kings
Jaden Ivey, SG, Purdue – 6-foot-4, 200 lbs.
17.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.1 apg, 46.0 FG%, 35.8 3P%
Ivey is the backcourt player most ready to contribute to an NBA team. Elite athleticism and speed make him a menace in the open court and he has tremendous defensive upside when he’s locked in on that end. His 3-point shot is still inconsistent, though it’s vastly improved from his freshman season, so there’s hope of continued progression in that area. He can also play some point guard if he becomes more consistent as a playmaker.
5) Detroit Pistons
Shaedon Sharpe, SG, Kentucky – 6-foot-6, 200 lbs.
Did not play in 2021-22
Sharpe was the top prospect in the 2022 high school recruiting class before reclassifying and enrolling at Kentucky in January, only to sit out the remainder of the season to protect his draft stock. He might be the guard with the most upside in this class thanks to his size, elite athleticism (NBA-record 49-inch vertical), and ability to score at all three levels. Detroit would be smart to try to pair him with Cade Cunningham, last year’s top pick.
6) Indiana Pacers
Keegan Murray, PF, Iowa – 6-foot-8, 215 lbs.
23.5 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 1.9 bpg, 55.4 FG%, 39.8 3P%
Murray is going to be a productive NBA player for a long time. He scores with ease at all three levels with the versatility, length and track record of being able to guard multiple positions on the defensive end. The Iowa product may not be a go-to superstar in the NBA, but it’s very easy to see him being the kind of secondary star all winning teams need.
7) Portland Trail Blazers
AJ Griffin, SF/PF, Duke – 6-foot-6, 222 lbs.
10.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 49.3 FG%, 44.7 3P%
Griffin did not have as large of a role at Duke as his talent warranted because of early injuries and other talented players on Duke’s roster. But he’s an elite 3-point shooter who showed the strength and toughness to play inside, too.
8) New Orleans Pelicans (via Lakers)
Bennedict Mathurin, SG/SF, Arizona – 6-foot-7, 195 lbs.
17.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.5 apg, 45.0 FG%, 36.9 3P%
Mathurin already plays like a pro. There isn’t anything he can’t do offensively, and he’s shown the willingness to take – and make – big shots in clutch moments. There’s a shortage of wings who can create offense for themselves in today’s NBA, which is why Mathurin is a valuable prospect.
9) San Antonio Spurs
Jalen Duren, C, Memphis – 6-foot-11, 250 lbs.
12.0 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.1 bpg, 59.7 FG%
Duren is a true throwback center in the sense he doesn’t have much of a perimeter shot, but he’s a beast down low with his strength, impressive athleticism, relentless motor, and shot-blocking ability. We don’t see many true centers anymore because they can be liabilities defensively in today’s NBA, yet Duren has shown the lateral quickness necessary to at least be serviceable when guarding on the perimeter. The Spurs need long-term help on the interior, making this a perfect fit.
10) Washington Wizards
Dyson Daniels, PG, G League Ignite – 6-foot-6, 199 lbs.
11.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 5.1 apg, 2.1 spg, 45.7 FG%, 33.3 3P%
Daniels is a fantastic playmaker at 6-foot-6 with the kind of unselfish, all-around game that could allow him to develop into an ideal point guard in today’s NBA. The biggest question with his game is his shooting. The Wizards need a point guard and Daniels has the potential to develop into a very good one.
11) New York Knicks
Johnny Davis, SG, Wisconsin – 6-foot-5, 196 lbs.
19.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.1 apg, 42.7 FG%, 30.6 3P%
The Big Ten Player of the Year carried Wisconsin with dominant two-way play. Along with being a great scorer, Davis showed the kind of defense that is very appealing to NBA teams. He doesn’t have consistent 3-point range yet, but Davis’ slashing ability and two-way potential make him a good fit here.
12) Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers)
Ousmane Dieng, SF/PF, New Zealand Breakers – 6-foot-10, 216 lbs.
8.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 39.8 FG%, 27.1 3P%
The Thunder are in this rebuild for the long haul, and they realize their position. That will allow Sam Presti & Co. to take a swing on Dieng, a smooth 6-foot-10 scorer who needs to get stronger and needs time to turn his flashes of brilliance into consistent production. He’ll get that in Oklahoma City.
13) Charlotte Hornets
Mark Williams, C, Duke – 7-foot, 243 lbs.
11.2 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 2.8 bpg, 72.3 FG%
Charlotte has needed a center for a while and Williams feels like the perfect fit. He provides elite rim protection and is unstoppable around the rim. His length and athleticism should make him a lethal lob-catcher in pick-and-rolls with LaMelo Ball.
14) Cleveland Cavaliers
Malaki Branham, SG, Ohio State – 6-foot-5, 180 lbs.
13.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.0 apg, 49.8 FG%, 41.6 3P%
Cleveland was most effective with a third playmaker on the roster with Collin Sexton and Darius Garland. Sexton is also a restricted free agent and there are some questions about his future with the Cavs. Branham, a local product, emerged during his freshman season at Ohio State as a quality scorer from all three levels who was effective both with and without the ball. His playmaking improved as the season went along, too, making him a good fit here.
15) Charlotte Hornets (via Pelicans)
Ochai Agbaji, SF, Kansas – 6-foot-5, 210 lbs.
18.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 47.5 FG%, 40.7 3P%
The Hornets need more depth on the wing and love players who are versatile, good shooters, and were productive college players. Enter this season’s Final Four MOP in Agbaji, who checks all those boxes. He’ll be able to contribute right away as a shooter and defender.
16) Atlanta Hawks
Tari Eason, SF/PF, LSU – 6-foot-8, 215 lbs.
16.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.9 spg, 52.1 FG%, 35.9 3P%
Atlanta is targeting help on the wing, particularly players who can create some offense and be reliable defensively. So, how does the leading scorer and best defender on one of the nation’s best defensive teams sound? Eason has great size and athleticism that allows him to defend just about every position and be effective as a slasher creating plays off the bounce.
17) Houston Rockets (via Nets)
TyTy Washington, PG, Kentucky – 6-foot-3, 197 lbs.
12.5 ppg, 3.9 apg, 3.5 rpg, 45.1 FG%, 35.0 3P%
We have Houston going with a big man earlier in his mock draft, so now they’ll look to the backcourt. The Rockets know they’re building around Jalen Green, so adding another guard who can play either with or without the ball and has a reliable 3-point shot seems like a no-brainer. That description fits Washington at this point in the draft.
18) Chicago Bulls
Jeremy Sochan, PF, Baylor – 6-foot-9, 230 lbs.
9.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 47.4 FG%, 29.6 3P%
Sochan is a potential and upside investment. He’s an elite athlete for someone his size and should be an impact player defensively and on the glass right away. His offensive skills and shooting are still raw, but that defense gives him a solid floor in today’s NBA that makes him feel like something of a steal at this point in the draft.
19) Minnesota Timberwolves
Kennedy Chandler, PG, Tennessee – 6-foot, 172 lbs.
13.9 ppg, 4.7 apg, 3.2 rpg, 46.4 FG%, 38.3 3P%
Minnesota needs defense and guard help, especially considering new questions about D’Angelo Russell’s future. Chandler showed great prowess and promise on the defensive end while producing enough offensively, particularly as a playmaker. He should immediately step in and be a quality backup behind Patrick Beverley.
20) San Antonio Spurs (via Raptors)
Patrick Baldwin Jr., SF/PF, Milwaukee – 6-foot-9, 220 lbs.
12.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 34.4 FG%, 26.6 3P%
Here comes the real big swing in this mock. Baldwin, a top-10 recruit in the 2021 recruiting class, had a disappointing freshman season at Milwaukee largely due to an ankle injury. When he was healthy at the very start of the season, though, he played at the level of a top-10 prospect. San Antonio, with a real need for frontcourt help, could gamble on his long-term upside because of his versatility, shooting ability (which he showed in high school but didn’t as a freshman), and high basketball IQ.
21) Denver Nuggets
EJ Liddell, PF, Ohio State – 6-foot-7, 240 lbs.
19.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.5 apg, 49.0 FG%, 37.4 3P%
Denver loves versatile players and Liddell fits that mold to a tee. His shooting ability makes him an appealing stretch-4 – particularly when playing with Nikola Jokic – and he showed he can play defense both inside and on the perimeter at a high level. Liddell is an older prospect but could provide some impact right away.
22) Memphis Grizzlies (via Jazz)
Nikola Jovic, SF, Mega Basket – 6-foot-10, 209 lbs.
12.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.6 apg, 41.4 FG%, 31.5 3P%
Memphis doesn’t have any obvious holes so, with the first of their two first-round picks, I have them gambling on Jovic. He has guard skills in a 6-foot-10 frame and excels at creating shots for himself off the bounce. However, he needs to get stronger and improve defensively, which is why this is something of a developmental pick.
23) Brooklyn Nets (via 76ers)
Walker Kessler, C, Auburn – 7-foot-1, 245 lbs.
11.4 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 4.6 bpg, 60.8 FG%, 20.0 3P%
Kessler was perhaps the nation’s best and most feared shot-blocker last season. Brooklyn has been trying to find that role for the past year or two with veteran centers that haven’t worked out. Kessler has the athleticism to play at a fast pace and could serve as a defensive anchor in the NBA.
24) Milwaukee Bucks
Jaden Hardy, SG, G League Ignite – 6-foot-4, 198 lbs.
21.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.9 apg, 39.7 FG%, 32.9 3P%
The Bucks are another team without many needs, but one thing that became apparent in the playoffs is their need for more individual shot creators. Hardy was a top-5 prospect in the 2021 recruiting class for that reason. His draft stock has dropped because of his inefficiency and poor shot selection in the G League, but the ability to score from anywhere on the offensive end is still there. Milwaukee may take a chance on him in hopes he can bolster the offense of their bench unit.
25) San Antonio Spurs (via Celtics)
Kendall Brown, SF, Baylor – 6-foot-8, 205 lbs.
9.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 58.4 FG%, 34.1 3P%
Another first round pick for the Spurs is spent on another smart player who isn’t ball-dominant. In fact, Brown is at his best as an off-ball cutter or in transition, where his truly elite athleticism is on display. He is also a quality defender growing into his game on the offensive end.
26) Dallas Mavericks
MarJon Beauchamp, SG/SF, G League Ignite – 6-foot-6, 199 lbs.
15.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 45.8 FG%, 28.6 3P%
Beauchamp is not a good shooter at this point in his career and, given Dallas’ emphasis on 3-point shooting, that can make this something of an odd fit. However, he’s an efficient scorer inside the arc with his slashing ability and, most importantly, is a very good wing defender and rebounder. The Mavs have enough scoring that I think they will turn to the defensive end and snag Beauchamp in this scenario.
27) Miami Heat
Caleb Houstan, SG, Michigan – 6-foot-8, 205 lbs.
10.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 38.4 FG%, 35.5 3P%
Houstan reportedly received a promise that he will be drafted in the first round. Could it be from the team that Houstan’s college coach Juwan Howard was with for a decade before going to Michigan? The former top-10 recruit wasn’t as dominant as a freshman as the Wolverines would’ve hoped, but he showed promise. In Miami’s player development system, the Heat could tap into the abundance of talent that’s there and turn him into a late-round gem.
28) Golden State Warriors
David Roddy, PF, Colorado State – 6-foot-5, 252 lbs.
19.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.9 apg, 57.1 FG%, 43.8 3P%
Roddy is a unique player in that he’s an undersized forward who can play all five positions on either end of the court. Golden State already has an offense that utilizes the playmaking skills of an undersized forward (Draymond Green) and values both the 3-point shot and positional versatility. There are a handful of prospects the Warriors are considering at this point, but Roddy is among those at the top.
29) Memphis Grizzlies
Trevor Keels, SG, Duke – 6-foot-4, 221 lbs.
11.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.7 apg, 41.9 FG%, 31.2 3P%
We mentioned that Memphis doesn’t have many obvious needs. Looking ahead, though, Dillon Brooks will be a free agent after next season and the Grizzlies may not want to spend the money required to bring him back. Enter Keels, another tough, physical wing who can impact the game defensively in a similar way despite not being a great shooter.
30) Oklahoma City Thunder (via Suns)
Blake Wesley, SG, Notre Dame – 6-foot-5, 185 lbs.
14.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.4 apg, 40.4 FG%, 30.3 3P%
The Thunder make another upside play at the end of the first round in Wesley, who some think will go in the top 20. Wesley is a quality athlete with tons of obvious potential, yet poor decision-making and lackluster shooting really limited his impact for Notre Dame as a freshman. His mechanics may never allow him to be a great shooter. If he improves his decision-making to go along with his stout defense, though, Wesley can turn into an impact player.