Well, that was quite the interesting draft was it not? Whether you caught it all or came here looking for info, this is the 2022 NBA Draft: Post-Draft Analysis.
Representatives from the NBA teams gathered at the Barclays Center last night to help move their team's future in a positive direction. Although as you will see below, not all necessarily did.
While that is often the case, the 2022 NBA Draft saw social media tell us the picks before they were announced. Yet the Magic selecting Paolo Banchero was the first surprising move of the night.
For this 2022 NBA Draft: Post-Draft Analysis I go over a few picks I think will make a fantasy basketball impact next season. I will also go over the winners and losers of the draft.
2022 NBA Draft: Post-Draft Analysis
1. Orlando Magic - Paolo Banchero
You likely know them already, but these are Paolo Banchero stats while at Duke:
17.2 points
7.8 rebounds
3.2 assists
48% FG
34% 3PTHe can do it all.#MagicTogether pic.twitter.com/oRdEfBuk70
— ORLmuse (@ORLmuse) June 24, 2022
The Magic have an overload of forwards on their roster including last year's first-round pick Franz Wagner. However, with Banchero being selected first overall, I expect him to play starter minutes. He should be the favorite for Rookie of the Year and should have the green light on the offensive end with a Magic team lacking scorers. He is the most NBA-ready in the class and has the body to compete with bigs early, plus his passing ability often gets overlooked.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder - Chet Holmgren
Chet Holmgren's 7'6 wingspan, quickness getting off the floor, ability to cover ground, willingness to absorb contact and timing meeting opponents at the rim is what gives him Defensive Player of the Year potential and a big reason why he's our No. 1 prospect in the draft. pic.twitter.com/f9HF0KJhqH
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 23, 2022
Holmgren is the most interesting top pick we’ve seen since Kristaps Porzingis, whom many have drawn similarities between the two. I don't expect Holmgren to do much on the offensive end. Yet I expect him to make his mark early on the defensive side. He fits the Thunder's profile of lanky and versatile players. Oklahoma City will be one of the more interesting teams to watch this upcoming season and that includes Holmgren.
3. Houston Rockets - Jabari Smith Jr.
The Rockets take Jabari Smith with the No. 3 overall pick @brhoops
Building a young core in Houston 🚀 pic.twitter.com/tPUv3rFfSA
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 24, 2022
Smith is probably shocked he landed third, but it shouldn't be an indictment on his game. He has the most potential as a two-way star in this draft and should be able to thrive in the Rockets' fast-paced system. Smith is a natural scorer who can defend as well. I wouldn't be surprised if he leads this draft class in points this season. The Rockets have to be pleased to land Smith at third with him being at the top of most draft boards. As we saw these past playoffs, two-way forwards are the new age of the NBA.
4. Sacramento Kings - Keegan Murray
The Sacramento Kings lack length, shooting, athleticism and defense.
Keegan Murray will bring...
Length (6'11 wingspan) ✅
Shooting (39% 3PT) ✅
Athleticism ✅
Defense (1.9 BLK & 1.3 STL) ✅I'm looking forward to seeing Murray play with Fox & Sabonis.pic.twitter.com/6b8i5ys4g0
— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) June 24, 2022
This pick was the first head-scratcher of the draft, but of course, it came from the Kings. Most people had Ivey going with this pick but the fit with De’Aaron Fox was questionable. Murray already has an NBA offense, so he fills their need at power forward. But at 22 years old already how much more will he improve?
5. Detroit Pistons - Jaden Ivey
A NEW STAR JOINS CADE CUNNINGHAM IN THE MOTOR CITY 🤩
The Pistons take Jaden Ivey with the fifth overall pick! pic.twitter.com/0QOnaWfVsx
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 24, 2022
Ivey is my personal favorite so I'll try to be unbiased but I believe that Ivey has the potential to be the best in this class. His fit with Cade Cunningham is questionable at first thought, but Cunningham is a willing passer. Ivey is arguably the most athletic prospect in the class and should be able to stuff the stat sheet. He reminds me of a Victor Oladipo/ Ja Morant type player.
6. Indiana Pacers - Bennedict Mathurin
One of the best shooters in the draft, Mathurin landed at a great spot to show his talents in Indiana. The Pacers will have an exciting young backcourt with him and Tyrese Halliburton. I wouldn't be surprised to see more than a few 20-point games.
7. Portland Trail Blazers - Shaedon Sharpe
Sharpe didn't play for Kentucky last season but was still good enough to be a lottery pick. He was the top prospect in the 2022 high school class and is a freak of an athlete. It remains to be seen if the Blazers will keep Sharpe or trade him to help Dame win now.
8. New Orleans Pelicans - Dyson Daniels
9. San Antonio Spurs - Jeremy Sochan
10. Washington Wizards - Johnny Davis
Davis was one of the best scorers in college and I don't see why that will change in Washington. With Beal potentially out, Davis could be forced as the main scoring option and I could see him scoring close to 20 ppg if that's the case. He's one to keep an eye on, especially with the Wizards' recent struggles in the draft.
Picks 11-20
- 11. New York Knicks (Traded to Thunder) - Ousmane Dieng
- 12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Los Angeles Clippers) - Jalen Williams
- 13. Charlotte Hornets (Traded to Detroit Pistons) - Jalen Duren
- 14. Cleveland Cavaliers - Ochai Agbaji
- 15. Charlotte Hornets - Mark Williams
- 16. Atlanta Hawks - Adrian Griffin
- 17. Houston Rockets - Tari Eason
- 18. Chicago Bulls - Dalen Terry
- 19. Minnesota Timberwolves (traded to Memphis Grizzlies) - Jake LaRavia
- 20. San Antonio Spurs - Malaki Branham
2022 NBA Draft: Winners and Losers
Winners
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons have a promising young core with Cade Cunningham, Saddiq Bey, Jaden Ivey, and Jalen Duren. They were able to trade up and get Duren at 13 and it didn't cost much. We’ll see what happens with Marvin Bagley but the Pistons look to be headed in the right direction. Depending on what they do in free agency the Pistons could find themselves in a play-in spot next season.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets had the best draft in my opinion, landing Smith Jr at 3rd and snagging Tari Eason and TyTy Washington at the end of the round. Many basketball experts had Smith as the first or second choice in the draft so getting him at third is a steal. He should have the best numbers out of all rookies and should be in the Rookie of the Year race with Paolo Banchero.
Eason is a stretch forward who can knock down the three. Washington was originally projected to be selected in the lottery but Houston grabbed him at 29.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs drafted Spurs-type players in Jeremy Sochan and Malaki Branham, both of who I see having an impact on the team immediately. Sochan can defend multiple positions and can occasionally knock down the 3. Meanwhile, Branham is a steal and showed his scoring potential towards the end of this past season.
Losers
Sacramento Kings
The Kings were reported to be interested in selecting Jaden Ivey but instead selected Keegan Murray. Murray is a safe pick but does not possess the upside that the Kings need. This shouldn't be a surprise as this is the Kings thing to do, but Murray could make me bite my words.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers have Damian Lillard only getting older and coming off an injury, so now is the time to win. With that being said they selected Shaeden Sharpe who last played in high school and he is in no shape to help the team win now. There were reports of the Blazers shopping this pick before the draft so it'll be interesting to see what they do in free agency.
New York Knicks
The Knicks were reportedly looking at trading up for Jaden Ivey but ended up trading out the first round for three future first-round picks. This only makes sense if they land one of the big names in free agency later on this summer.
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