NBA Finals Update - the Sixers get their pick back from Brooklyn and Denver acquires the 30th pick from OKC!
The Orlando Magic have won the NBA Lottery and will pick first in the 2022 NBA Draft! They will have a tough decision to make in the frontcourt, choosing between Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero and Jabari Smith.
The Sacramento Kings moved into the top four with the Detroit Pistons falling out. The Indiana Pacers and Portland Trail Blazers moved down one spot.
The Rockets have two first-round picks as they own the Brooklyn Nets selection. They will receive the better of the Nets/Miami Heat first-round pick. RealGM does a great job breaking down all future traded draft picks.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have four of the first 34 picks, including three first-rounders, thanks to the Chris Paul (Suns) and Paul George (Clippers) trades.
The Indiana Pacers were looking like a lock for two first-round selections, after trading Caris LeVert to the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, injuries stunted the Cavs playoff push and Cleveland landed in the lottery, keeping their protected pick.
The San Antonio Spurs acquired two extra first-round picks at the NBA trade deadline when dealing Derrick White (Celtics) and Thaddeus Young (Raptors).
2022 NBA Mock Draft - NBA Lottery
| Pick | Team | Player | School | Pos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic | Chet Holmgren | Gonzaga | F/C |
| 2 | Thunder | Paolo Banchero | Thunder | F |
| 3 | Rockets | Jaden Ivey | Purdue | G |
| 4 | Kings | Keegan Murray | Iowa | F |
| 5 | Pistons | Jabari Smith | Auburn | F |
| 6 | Pacers | Shaedon Sharpe | Kentucky | W |
| 7 | Blazers | AJ Griffin | Duke | W |
| 8 | Pelicans via LAL | Bennedict Mathurin | Arizona | W |
| 9 | Spurs | Jeremy Sochan | Baylor | W |
| 10 | Wizards | Johnny Davis | Wisconsin | G |
| 11 | Knicks | Ochai Agbaji | Kansas | W |
| 12 | Thunder via LAC | Jalen Duren | Memphis | F/C |
| 13 | Hornets | Walker Kessler | Auburn | C |
| 14 | Cavaliers | Dyson Daniels | Ignite | G |
| 15 | Hornets via NO | Ousmane Dieng | New Zealand | F |
| 16 | Hawks | Tari Eason | LSU | F |
| 17 | Rockets via BKN | Mark Williams | Duke | C |
| 18 | Bulls | Malaki Branham | Ohio State | G |
| 19 | Timberwolves | Blake Wesley | Notre Dame | W |
| 20 | Spurs via TOR | Jaden Hardy | Ignite | W |
| 21 | Nuggets | E.J. LIddell | Ohio State | F |
| 22 | Grizzlies via UTA | Christian Koloko | Arizona | C |
| 23 | Nets via PHI | TyTy Washington | Kentucky | G |
| 24 | Bucks | David Roddy | Colorado State | F |
| 25 | Spurs via BOS | Nikola Jovic | Serbia | F |
| 26 | Mavs | Kendall Brown | Baylor | F |
| 27 | Heat | Bryce McGowens | Nebraska | W |
| 28 | Warriors | Christian Braun | Kansas | W |
| 29 | Grizzlies | Jalen Williams | Santa Clara | F |
| 30 | Thunder via PHX | Kennedy Chandler | Tennessee | G |
Quick Thoughts
- I think the Houston Rockets need Jaden Ivey as they lack a floor general. Ivey should be a good fit next to Jalen Green. I think he is the best fit for a team looking long term.
- I want (need) to see Shaedon Sharpe and Tyrese Haliburton play together
- The Thunder and Spurs have flexibility this year with the power to trade up or trade down to collect more assets
- Bennedict Mathurin has been rising draft boards and is now a projected top 10 pick
- I still think the Knicks need to figure out their point guard situation, but forcing themselves into Dyson Daniels or TyTy Washington is most likely not the answer. Hopefully, they can bring Jalen Brunson in as a free agent!
- It will be interesting to see just how much teams value rim protection with bigs like Walker Kessler, Mark Williams and Christian Koloko
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