The NBA Draft lottery and combine have come and gone with the Orlando Magic winning the lottery (14% chance). In case you weren't aware there will be just 58 picks in this draft because of tampering by the Bucks and Heat who will lose their respected 2nd rd picks.
1st Round:
1. Orlando - Jabari Smith F Auburn
Jabari gives Orlando an athletic wing that can shoot from the outside and add to the young core of Suggs, Bamba, and Wagner. Shot 43 % from deep in his lone season at Auburn.
2. Oklahoma City - Chet Holmgren F/C Gonzaga
Chet gives OKC a potential star-like player for the future while adding much-needed rim-protecting and a player with potential guard-like qualities for a guy 7'1".
3. Houston - Paolo Banchero F Duke
My #1 prospect Paolo possesses size, strength, and ball-handling skills, and if you add that to the core of Jalen Green and Alperun Sengun you have yourself a future to be hopeful of.
4. Sacramento - Jaden Ivey G Purdue
It may not be the best fit but he's the best player on board and Kings just need talent. Ivey/Fox pairing might be the quickest duo in the league. Ivey is explosive and will put pressure on defenses.
5. Detroit - Shaedon Sharpe G/F Canada
The man of mystery, Shaedon possesses all the physical tools you want in a wing player, and even with no high-level film from Kentucky, I think he's a top 5 talent. Cade and Shaedon could be a special duo for years.
6. Indiana - Keegan Murray F Iowa
SMOOTH that's Keegan Murray's game in one word. 23 and 8 in his last year and crazy efficient from the floor (55% FG, 40% 3P). His off-ball movement is also great and you pair that up with Haliburton and that could make Keegan's transition to the league SMOOTH.
7. Portland - AJ Griffin F Duke
Didn't get to show his whole array of skills this season at Duke and struggled with injuries since HS but showed flashes of off-ball creation and shooting. I can see Aj thriving in the league and making life for Dame easier. 44% 3p shooter
8. New Orleans (from Los Angeles Lakers) - Bennedict Mathurin F Arizona
He's the BPA and you add him with Ingram, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, and Zion potentially next year and you could have a lineup that teams could fear. Mathurin can score, shoot, run and that could make NO scary next yr.
9. San Antonio - Johnny Davis G Wisconsin
The Spurs have a bunch of solid pieces including All-Star Dejounte Murray but they need to find someone who can be a potential go-to scorer down the road and that's Johnny Davis. He avg 20 and 8 for Wisconsin and can create his own shot, play off-ball and rebound at a high clip.
10. Washington - Dyson Daniels G G-League
Maybe my favorite prospect in the draft and might go higher but Washington takes Dyson here because of his versatility on both sides of the ball. Has a near 7 ft wingspan which on top of his stellar defense makes him a menace on defense. His offense needs some work but shows out in PnR situations and in space with his playmaking.
11. New York - Jaden Hardy G G-League
To boo or not to boo that is thou question for NYK fans. AT one point Hardy was a lock top 5 pick, but an up and down G-league season has his stock dropping but not as far as I've seen by some. Hardy possesses tremendous handles and great size for a combo guard. His overall shooting numbers won't wow you but it was in just 13 games and he shot the ball a lot better later in the season. Massive upside for NY
12. Oklahoma City (from LA Clippers) - Ousmane Dieng F New Zealand
Another long prospect for the Thunder who they can wait and develop. Dieng started slow but played well late in the NBL season and showed off some of his skills as a ball handler shooting and defending. He fits the OKC developing projection perfectly. High upside for OKC.
13. Charlotte - Mark Williams C Duke
Might have been the easiest selection of the draft. The athletic rim running big that can protect the rim also. You give him LaMelo Ball and you have a potential deadly PnR tandem for years to come.
14. Cleveland - Malaki Branham G/F Ohio State
After a slow start to his Freshman year, Malaki turned it on once 2022 started and showed his scoring ability while on his way to Big 10 Freshman of the Year. Cleveland needs a shot creator along Garland in the long run and Malaki could be that dude for them. Last 17 games avg 17 on 52% shooting and 43% from deep.
15. Charlotte (from New Orleans) - Jeremy Sochan F Baylor
I gave Charlotte Mark Williams before and now give them another athletic wing along with Bridges. Sochan is great in space and is an excellent cutter. Now close your eyes and imagine LaMelo on the break with Bridges, Mark Williams, and Sochan trailing with him. EXCITING!
16. Atlanta - Tari Eason F LSU
6-8 frame with a 7-2 wingspan my goodness! Tari is a menace on defense and arguably the best defender in this class. Atlanta ranked 26 in defensive rating and needs to sure up the defense desperately, especially on the perimeter. Tari's offense is still coming along but he could provide a jolt for ATL on defense as he can switch on anyone.
17. Houston (from Brooklyn) - TyTY Washington G Kentucky
TyTy had a really strong start to the season before an ankle injury hampered the second half of his lone season in Kentucky. He played mostly off the ball (see what I did there) but we saw glimpses of what he can do as a primary ball-handler vs Georgia (17 AST). He could be the next Kentucky player to break out in the pros.
18. Chicago - Jalen Duren C Memphis
I like Duren as a top 10 player and he probably will go higher but I think if anyone slides it could be him. BUT this is exactly what Chicago needs in the post. Vuc is more of a finesse player but adding Jalen could give Chicago some toughness down low and allow him to develop his game.
19. Minnesota - EJ Liddell F Ohio State
Minny needs some size and EJ is that guy. 6-7 and very versatile I usually don't like comps but I can see him in the Grant Williams role in Minnesota but with more upside. He can block shots (2.6 Jr Yr) and can do damage as a mid-range scorer. He's not a wow athlete but he has a 7 Ft wingspan that makes up for his lack of athleticism.
20. San Antonio (from Toronto) - Nikola Jovic F Mega Basket
One of the top international players and someone I feel like is a San Antonio Spur. 6-10 wing with a 7 Ft wingspan with tons of skill. Can handle the rock, make plays and finish at the rack. I also buy his shooting development long-term.
21. Denver - Jalen Williams G/F Santa Clara
One of the biggest winners coming out of the combine and also one of the most improved college hoopers this year. Superb off the catch and shot 40% from 3. Nuggets have just 1 pick and need to add some more scoring. Jalen is that dude!
22. Memphis (from Utah) - Bryce McGowens F Nebraska
A 3-level scorer and a certified bucket getter. One of the more confident hoopers in this class. He possesses great athletic ability and craftiness around the rim. Memphis needs more shot creators along with Ja and Bane and Bryce could add some more firepower.
23. Philadelphia - MarJon Beauchamp F G-League Ignite
NBA body and a freak athlete are things that pop out for MarJon on the court. He was arguably the best prospect coming out of the G-League ignite. He's versatile and if the outside shooting comes along he could be special.
24. Milwaukee - Kennedy Chandler G Tennessee
The Bucks need an injection of youth at the PG spot and Kennedy can infuse that into this team immediately. He pushes the ball up with poise and can make some dynamic plays. His size will have some skepticism about him but he's a gamer and works hard on both sides of the ball.
25. San Antonio (from Boston) - Ismael Kamagate C Paris
I'm going to stay with international love for the Spurs and go with Ismael. Spurs need to take guys who can pop down the line and Jovic and now Kamagate could give them future stars. In Betclic Elite Kamagate had a really good season shooting 65% and tremendous size and strength. What's scary is that he has room to grow body-wise. Can block shot and run like a gazelle.
26. Houston Rockets - Ochai Agbaji G/F Kansas
The Final 4 Most Outstanding Player finally showed out his senior season at Kansas that ended with him cutting down the nets. He displayed his scoring arsenal while shooting 48% from the floor and 40 from 3. He has an NBA body and best player available even if he's an older prospect for the young Rockets.
27. Miami - Ryan Rollins G Toledo
Another professional bucket getter! Ryan Rollins can slide into Miami with Oladipo being a UFA and take that spot and contribute immediately. Didn't shoot great from 3 but I buy that he'll improve from deep. 3-level scoring potential and great footwork. Has the whole bag of goodies that will fit Miami perfectly.
28. Golden State - Trevion Williams F Purdue
Trevion possesses an old-school game but don't let that fool you, the man has skills. He can run for a big guy and has some wiggle to his game. Great vision and a leader. With Draymond getting older you may have found your newest version of Draymond.
29. Memphis - Patrick Baldwin Jr F UW Milwaukee
I simply couldn't let him fall any further down. PBJ was a top 5 recruit and was thought to be a lock top 10 pick. Everything that could go wrong went wrong but behind all that I still see a talented wing player who can shoot and pass. I think in Memphis he can grow and be the player we think he can be.
30. Denver ( via OKC ) - Kendall Brown F Baylor
Kendall's stock has dropped a bit but at 30 he's perfect for Denver. He's a tremendous cutter and lob threat. You pair that with Jokics passing ability and you don't have to worry about the lack of shooting , just let him run run run and hell thrive.
Second round
31. Indiana Pacers (via Cleveland and Houston)
Jake LaRavia F Wake Forest
32. Orlando Magic
Blake Wesley G Notre Dame
33. Toronto Raptors (via San Antonio)
Dalen Terry G Arizona
34. Oklahoma City Thunder
Dominick Barlow F OTE
35. Orlando Magic (via Milwaukee and Indiana)
Christian Koloko C Arizona
36. Portland Trail Blazers
Christian Braun G Kansas
37. Sacramento Kings
Wendall Moore G Duke
38. San Antonio Spurs (via Chicago, Washington and Los Angeles Lakers)
Max Christie F Michigan St
39. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Utah and San Antonio)
Dereon Seabron G North Carolina St
40. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Cleveland and Washington)
Walker Kessler C Auburn
41. New Orleans Pelicans
Khalifa Diop Big Gran Canaria Spain
42. New York Knicks
Josh Minott F Memphis
43. Los Angeles Clippers
Vince Williams F VCU
44. Atlanta Hawks
Caleb Houston F Michigan
45. Charlotte Hornets
Andrew Nembhard G Gonzaga
46. Detroit Pistons (via Brooklyn)
Trevor Keels G Duke
47. Memphis Grizzlies (via Cleveland Cavaliers)
John Butler F FSU
48. Minnesota Timberwolves
Matteo Spagnolo G Cremona Italy
49. Sacramento Kings (via Memphis, Chicago and Detroit)
Michael Foster F G-League Ignite
50. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Philadelphia and Denver)
Jean Montero G OTE
51. Golden State Warriors (via Philadelphia and Toronto)
Julian Champagnie F St Johns
52. New Orleans Pelicans (via Utah)
Yannick Nzosa C Malaga Spain
53. Boston Celtics
Hugo Besson G New Zealand Breakers
54. Washington Wizards (via Dallas)
Jordan Hall G St Josephs
55. Golden State Warriors
Jamaree Bouyea G San Francisco
56. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Indiana and Miami)
Justin Lewis F Marquette
57. Portland Trail Blazers (via Utah and Memphis)
Ron Harper Jr F Rutgers
58. Indiana Pacers (via Phoenix)
Jaylin Williams F Arkansas