2022 NBA Draft Results

Round 1 Picks 1-15

The 2022 NBA Draft is one of the more top heavy drafts in recent memory. It's a good group, but doesn't have quite as much star power as 2021.

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: June 23, 2022.

1. Orlando Magic: Paolo Banchero, PF, Duke A+ Grade
   
   
   I have Jabari Smith Jr. the Auburn power forward going first overall, Wes Langley has Chet Holmgren the Gonzaga center going first overall, and Brian Bayless who had the second most accurate NBA Mock Draft behind myself in 2021 had Paolo Banchero the Duke power forward going to Orlando, but went with a power forward at 1 mainly because that power forward may be an immediate upgrade over Jonathan Isaac. A few of our readers were debating on who to take at 1 and we still couldn't come to a consensus on this pick. After careful deliberation I went with Jabari Smith Jr who worked out with Orlando on June 9th and June 10th, but it's worth pointing out that Chet Holmgren also worked out with Orlando on June 15th and 16th.
   
   
   
   Orlando has Cole Anthony at point guard who did well enough to take the starting point guard job from Markelle Fultz after being Orlando's 2020 first round pick, Jalen Suggs at shooting guard one of Orlando's two first round picks in 2021, Franz Wagner at small forward the second 2021 first round pick drafted, Jonathan Isaac their 2017 first round pick at power forward from Florida State who hasn't played since 2019-2020, and Wendell Carter Jr., who the Magic got at center in the Nikola Vucevic trade as their starting five heading into the 2022 NBA Draft. Wendell Carter Jr. got a 4-year $50-million dollar extension.
   
   
   
   Wes Langley changed his pick from Chet Holmgren to Paolo Banchero. Orlando didn't tip their hand until 15 minutes before the draft.
   
   
   
   Paolo Banchero went to Orlando mainly because he's bigger and has an NBA ready body. Orlando even admitted that they thought Jabari Smith Jr. was the best three point shooter after winning SEC Freshman of The Year The thing is, the 2022 ACC Freshman Of The Year, is 30 lbs bigger than Smith and just as effective defensively helping Duke get to the Final 4 in 2022 starting in all 39 games.
   
   
   
   The 6-10 250 lb Paolo Banchero had a 40 point game in High School where he played High School in Seattle Washington while also playing quarterback on the same football team Nate Burleson played for growing up prior to college. Banchero chose to focus on Basketball rather than continuing football even though his football coach thought he could be a first round pick in the NFL Draft.
   
   
   
   Paolo Banchero was the top recruit in High School basketball behind Chet Holmgren, but he's one player who could end up surpassing Holmgren with a huge freshman season at Duke. He's committed to Duke and will be a key player for the Duke Blue Devils in Coach K's final season with the team before he retires. Banchero gives Orlando another immediate starter and blue chip superstar to finalize Orlando's starting five which features three players who scored over 15 points per game along with Jalen Suggs a top 5 player in last years NBA Draft complimenting Banchero.
   
   
   
   Paolo Banchero had 17.2 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game, 3.2 assists per game, a 47.8% field goal percentage, a 33.8% three point percentage, a 72.9% free throw percentage, and 1.1 steals per game. Paolo Banchero had a career high 28 points against Citadel, a career high 17 rebounds against Louisville, and a career high 9 assists against Syracuse. If Paolo Banchero can hit his career highs in one NBA game you are looking at someone who could have 28 points, 17 rebounds, and 9 assists on a night when Paolo Banchero is just clicking on all cylinders since Banchero's points per game was higher than both Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith Jr. who Orlando passed on to get Banchero.
   
   
   
   Paolo Banchero can defend against the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, the 4 at power forward, or the 5 at center just like the other top 2 picks in this draft with Jabari Smith Jr. and Chet Holmgren.
   
   
   
   Orlando now has Cole Anthony at point guard, Jalen Suggs at shooting guard, Franz Wagner at small forward, Paolo Banchero at power forward, and Wendell Carter Jr. at center. This is a great starting five for the Orlando Magic.
   
   
   
2. Oklahoma City Thunder: Chet Holmgren, C, Gonzaga A+ Grade
   
   
   Oklahoma City has 38 draft picks over the next seven years with 19 in the first round and 19 in the second round between 2022 and 2028. Oklahoma City entered the 2021 NBA Draft with six picks, but only ended up drafting four players including two point guards in the first round to compliment their All Star point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with the only immediate day 1 starter being Josh Giddey who the Thunder drafted sixth overall in the 2021 NBA Draft.
   
   
   
   Pieces to this starting five at small forward, power forward, and center need to be added to compliment point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and second year shooting guard Josh Giddey. Oklahoma City uses this pick on a big that can compliment Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey.
   
   
   
   The 7-0 195 lb Chet Holmgren played High School basketball with Jalen Suggs for three years before Suggs went to Gonzaga. Chet Holmgren will either play the 4 at power forward or the 5 at center complimenting Drew Timme last years top power forward in College Basketball. It sounds like Holmgren has the versatility to play both spots in the NBA.
   
   
   
   Chet Holmgren is an elite shot blocker, defender, rebounder, and three point shooter based on his High School play at Minnehaha in Minnesota. Holmgren can pass the ball effectively too. His High School coach called him a special prospect much like Jalen Suggs.
   
   
   
   College Basketball hasn't started yet and he's already dunked on Steph Curry in a one-on-one game. Wes Langley described Holmgren as the best big to enter the NBA Draft outside of former number one picks Anthony Davis and Zion Williamson.
   
   
   
   Chet Holmgren can be an upgrade to your team if you are a team in a rebuild like the Houston Rockets or Detroit Pistons. He can also be an upgrade for a team like the Phoenix Suns if they chose not to give hometown player DeAndre Ayton a max deal. In this case, he's an upgrade for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
   
   
   
   Back in October, I mocked Chet Holmgren first overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder ended up with the second overall pick following the 2022 NBA Draft Lottery, but Chet Holmgren is still on the board.
   
   
   
   Chet Holmgren had 14.1 points per game, 9.9 rebounds per game, 1.9 assists per game, a 60.7% field goal percentage, a 39% three point percentage, a 71.7% free throw percentage, and 3.7 blocks per game. He can defend against the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, the 4 at power forward, or the 5 at center. You'd like to see him become more consistent as a defender, but the traits to be elite down the road are certaily there.
   
   
   
   Chet Holmgren had a career high 23 points against San Diego, a career high 17 rebounds in three different games, a career high 6 assists against BYU, and a career high 6 blocks against San Francisco. If Chet Holmgren can hit his career highs in one NBA game you are looking at someone who could have 23 points, 17 rebounds, 6 assists, and 6 blocks on a night when Chet Holmgren is just clicking on all cylinders.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Houston Rockets: Jabari Smith Jr., PF, Auburn A+ Grade
   
   
   Houston has nobody else outside of Jalen Green who they drafted second overall in the 2021 NBA Draft. Alperen Sengun a top 10 prospect on my board last year that fell to Houston at 16 is taking over for Christian Wood at center next season.
   
   
   
   The 6-10 220 lb Jabari Smith Jr. is an extremely underrated shooter whose versatile enough to play both small forward or power forward. His High School tape impressed me since he showed the short range, medium range, and long range shooting that you want from a star power forward despite not being as highly recruited as Chet Holmgren or Paolo Banchero, yet he outperformed those two in College Basketball this past season. Jonathan Isaac hasn't played since the Covid bubble and Jabari Smith Jr. is far more durable and is an upgrade as far as an immediate starter at the power forward position.
   
   
   
   Jabari Smith Jr. had 16.9 points per game, 7.4 rebounds per game, 2 assists per game, a 42.9% field goal percentage, a 42% three point percentage, a 79.9% free throw percentage, 1.1 steals per game, and 1 block per game. He can defend against the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, the 4 at power forward, or the 5 at center. The Houston Rockets gave up more points than any NBA team surrendering 118.2 points per game to opponents and Jabari Smith Jr. has a chance to fix that once he adds more muscle and fills out his frame.
   
   
   
   Jabari Smith Jr. had a career high 31 points against Vanderbilt, a career high 15 rebounds in Auburn's NCAA Tournament loss to Miami FL, and a career high 5 assists against Ole Miss. If Jabari Smith Jr. can hit his career highs in one NBA game you are looking at someone who could have 31 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists on a night when Jabari Smith Jr. is just clicking on all cylinders.
   
   
   
   Houston had Jabari Smith Jr. at 1 on their big board. Houston's front office was thrilled when Jabari Smith Jr. fell to 3. Every NBA team picking in the top 3 got the number one player on their teams big boards.
   
   
   
4. Sacramento Kings: Keegan Murray, SF, Iowa A+ Grade
   
   
   Point guard De'Aaron Fox, shooting guard Dayvion Mitchell, small forward Harrison Barnes, power forward Domatas Sabonis, and center Richaun Holmes are the core pieces to Sacramento's starting five Sacramento moved up a few spots in the lottery. Sacramento could also draft a shooting guard with the fourth overall pick to compete with last years first round pick Dayvion Mitchell for the starting shooting guard job.
   
   
   
   Purdue combo guard Jaden Ivey who can play both point guard and shooting guard, Kentucky shooting guard Shaedon Sharpe, and Keegan Murray a combo forward out of Iowa who can play both small forward and power forward are the options for Sacramento at 4. I had Sacramento drafting Jaden Ivey at 4 before a report came out today saying that Ivey doesn't want to play for Sacramento thanks to ESPN's Jonathan Givony who co founded Draft Express with Mike Schmitz. Former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown the new head coach for Sacramento has taken a liking to Keegan Murray.
   
   
   
   Sacramento should take Jaden Ivey at 4 because he's the consensus fourth best available player. Ivey doesn't want to play in Sacramento, but he's also not opposed to playing in Sacramento by stating there are worse situations to go to.
   
   
   
   One weakness with his game is he uses his chest when shooting three point shots rather than naturally following through on the shot. His mom played for both Detroit and Indiana in the WNBA and he's more comfortable there. I think Ivey would be willing to play anywhere else except Sacramento. The Kings should offer this pick to a team willing to trade a top 10 pick this year and a 2023 first round pick for 4. Sacramento wanted 6 and two first round picks from the Indiana Pacers to move down two spots.
   
   
   
   You can make an argument for Ivey at 4. However, Keegan Murray had dinner with two teammates on the Sacramento Kings which is why I believe he'll end up going fourth overall. Keegan Murray is fourth overall on my current 2022 NBA Draft Board. Despite Murray being fourth on my board, the odds on favorite to go fourth here is Jaden Ivey, but I don't see Ivey going fourth unless the Kings trade this pick.
   
   
   
   The 6-8 215 lb Keegan Murray is one player that may break out as a sophomore. He came back to school after his freshman season after averaging only 7.2 points per game, 5.1 rebounds per game, and a 75.5% free throw percentage as a true freshman at Iowa.
   
   
   
   Keegan Murray added 10 lbs of muscle to get up to 225 lbs while also showcasing the versatility to start the 3 and the 4 at both small forward and power forward. Keegan Murray also averaged 23.5 points per game, 8.7 rebounds per game, 1.5 assists per game, a 55.4% field goal percentage, a 39.8% three point percentage, a 74.7% free throw percentage, a 1.9 blocks per game, and 1.3 steals per game.
   
   
   
   Keegan Murray won Karl Malone Award for the top power forward in College Basketball. Iowa defeated a Purdue team to win the 2022 Big Ten Championship thanks to Keegan Murray leading his team to a win over Purdue's Jaden Ivey who didn't want to play for Sacramento. Keegan Murray was also the Big 10 Championship MVP.
   
   
   
   Keegan Murray had a career high 37 points against Nebraska, a career high 18 rebounds against Northwestern, a career high 4 assists against Alabama State, and a career high 4 blocks in two different games. Keegan Murray had a mind boggling 10 double doubles with ten different games where he had at least 10 points and 10 rebounds in each game while showcasing the ability to hit shots from short range, medium range, or long range.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Detroit Pistons: Jaden Ivey, SG, Purdue A+ Grade
   
   
   Detroit heads into next season with Cade Cunningham at point guard and Saddiq Bey at small forward. Detroit got outstanding play from Cunningham and Bey in 2021-2022, but improvements could be made at shooting guard, power forard, and center need to be made.
   
   
   
   The 6-4 185 lb Jaden Ivey showed a ton of promise at Purdue with 11.1 points per game as a true freshman in 2020-2021. Ivey impressed me with his short range, medium range, and long range shots, but he does sometimes use his chest when shooting the ball. That could be cleaned up from a technique standpoint, but he's the fourth best player in this draft, and he doesn't want to play for Sacramento
   
   
   
   Jaden Ivey added 15 lbs of muscle to get up to 200 lbs. Jaden Ivey had 17.3 points per game, 4.9 rebounds per game, 3.1assists per game, a 46% field goal percentage, a 35.8% three point percentage, and a 74.4% free throw percentage as a true sophomore in 2021-2022 before declaring for the 2022 NBA Draft.
   
   
   
   Jaden Ivey had a career high 27 points, a career high 1 rebounds against Minnesota, and a career high 7 assists in two games with one of those games coming against Villanova when the Villanova Wildcats were ranked in the top 5 before their final 4 run. If Jaden Ivey can hit his career highs in one NBA game you are looking at someone who could have 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists on a night when Jaden Ivey is just clicking on all cylinders.
   
   
   
   A guard tandem of Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey has a chance to be special for the Detroit Pistons down the road if Ivey can fix his ability to defend screens since the offensive ability and athleticism checks out. Ivey would love to play for Detroit or Indiana.
   
   
   
6. Indiana Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin, SG, Arizona A+ Grade
   
   
   The Indiana Pacers are leaning towards a complete long-term rebuild. Point guard Malcolm Brogdon will get traded and there's a possibility center Myles Turner gets traded too. Tyrese Halliburton at point guard and Bennedict Mathurin at shooting guard would be quite the combination.
   
   
   
   The 6-6 210 lb Bennedict Mathurin is a natural shooting guard. Bennedict Mathurin hit 84.6% of his free throws and 41.8% of his three point shots as a true freshman on Arizona last year. Bennedict Mathurin improved on that averaging 17.7 points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game, 2.5 assist per game, a 45% field goal percentage, a 36.9% three point percentage, and a 76.4% free throw percentage as a sophomore.
   
   
   
   Bennedict Mathurin had a career high 30 points in two games including a Sweet 16 win over TCU. Bennedict Mathurin also had 10 rebounds in a win over Wichita State and a season high 6 assists against USC. He can get 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists in one game if everything clicks.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Portland Trail Blazers: Shaedon Sharpe, SG, Kentucky A+ Grade
   
   
   The Portland Trail Blazers have Damian Lillard at point guard and Jermai Grant in the trade they made with the Detroit Pistons as their two core pieces for next season. Ben McLemore at small forward and Jusuf Nurkic at center are both unresticted Free Agents. Portland goes for value over need and drafts Shaedon Sharpe at 7.
   
   
   
   Portland gambles on Shaedon Sharpe here at 7 despite having Anfernee Simmons and Josh Hart at shooting guard. This is mainly due to the immense upside that Sharpe displays.
   
   
   
   Wes Langley raved about Shaedon Sharpe when breaking down th 2022 High School basketball class. Shaedon Sharpe reclassified to this year allowing him to enter the 2022 NBA Draft a year early. Shaedon Sharpe has the passing, short range, medium range, and long range you want a shooter to display. Wes compared him to Zach LaVine the Chicago Bulls shooting guard.
   
   
   
   The 6-6 200 lb Shaedon Sharpe is considered raw, but he may have a higher ceiling than Jaden Ivey who was the favorite to fourth overall to Sacramento before telling reporters he didn't want to play for the Sacramento Kings. Wes Langley had this to say about Shaedon Sharpe. "Sharpe is an explosive athlete with a nose for the rim. He loves to catch, face and is tough to stop because of an electric first step and his ability to get downhill, into the lane and then finish around the rim. Over the last year, Sharpe has improved tremendously as a ball handler, pull-up jump shooter and shot maker from beyond the three point line. The improved ball handling has allowed him to be much more creative as a scorer and playmaker for others."
   
   
   
8. New Orleans Pelicans: Dyson Daniels, SG, Ignite (NBA G-League) A+ Grade
   
   
   The New Orleans Pelicans have Devonte' Graham at point guard, C.J. McCollum at shooting guard, Brandon Ingram at small forward, Zion Willamson at power forward, and Jonas Valanciunas at center. New Orleans got to the 2022 NBA Playoffs and still managed to win two games against the Phoenix Suns who were the top seeded team in the Western Conference without their best starter in Zion Willamson who missed most of this season with injuries.
   
   
   
   I'm looking at two players at 8 here. Does New Orleans wants to add a player for depth to groom behind C.J. McCollum? Does New Orleans want to add a power forward for depth like Tari Eason a hometown power forward who played at LSU last season in case Zion doesn't re-sign? Right now Zion Williamson is expected to sign a max contract after telling reporters he fully recovered from his injury after the Pelicans got eliminated in the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs.
   
   
   
   The 6-7 195 lb Dyson Daniels had 11.3 points per game, 6.2 rebounds per game, 4.4 assists per game, a 44.9% field goal percentage, a 25.5% three point percentage, a 73.7% free throw percentage, and 1.9 steals per game. Last year Ignite had two blue chip prospects in Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga.
   
   
   
   Ignite doesn't have a blue chip prospect this year, but their top prospect right now is Dyson Daniels whose a nice player to groom for the future with shooting guard C.J. McCollum being the oldest player on the Pelicans, currently 30-years-old.
   
   
   
   
   
9. San Antonio Spurs: Jeremy Sochan, PF, Baylor C+ Grade
   
   
   San Antonio has Dejounte Murray at point guard, Devin Vassell their 2020 first round pick at shooting guard, Keldon Johnson their 2019 first round pick from the Toronto Raptors in the Kawai Leonard trade at small forward, and Jakob Poetl at center who was drafted by Toronto, but moved to San Anotnio in the Kawhi Leonard trade. Poetl finally put everything together this past season and enters a contract year with the Spurs. The only thing this starting lineup needs is a power forward and you already got one decent bench players in Lonnie Walker Jr. and Joshua Primo as your backup shooting guards. Greg Popovich got this young core to the play in tournament and drafting the right player at power forward may get the Spurs a 7 or 8 seed in the Western Conference next season.
   
   
   
   San Antonio went with a local here at 9. San Antonio drafted Jeremy Sochan. This pick feels like a reach, but I trust the Spurs when it comes to drafting local players.
   
   
   
   The 6-9 220 lb Jeremy Sochan can play small forward or power forward with his versatility. He's someone who has the athleticism and defense to succeed in the NBA. He's not a good passer constantly committing turnovers and he averaged under 10 points per game. He's an offensive liability, yet some mock drafts have him in the top 10 solely based on his athleticism and defensive traits. Jeremy Sochan is a second round player on my board, but there were a few mock drafts that had him going in the top 10.
   
   
   
10. Washington Wizards: Johnny Davis, SG, Wisconsin A+ Grade
    
    
    Washington has Kyle Kuzma at small forward, Kristaps Porzingis an injury prone center whose better served at power forward, and Rui Hachimura at power forward for insurance when Porzingis gets injured. Upgrades at point guard, shooting guard, and center are needed with Bradley Beal opting out of Washington to test Free Agency.
    
    
    
    Washington grabs the best player on the board at 10. That would be Wisconsin shooting guard Johnny Davis who would be a perfect replacement to Bradley Beal.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 194 lb Johnny Davis has the frame of a point guard, but he won the 2022 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year award and he's also got the versatility to play small forward despite being the starting shooting guard on the Wisconsin Badgers. I've seen Johnny Davis mocked as high as ninth overall and he did hold a private workout with the Washington Wizards who pick at 10 despite also having a private workout with the Atlanta Hawks who pick at 16.
    
    
    
    Johnny Davis returned to Wisconsin after only averaging 7 points per game as a true freshman while posting promising 44.1% field goal percentage and a 38.9% three point percentage in 2020-2021. Johnny Davis averaged 19.7 points per game, 8.2 rebounds per game, 2.1 assists per game, a 42.7% field goal percentage, a 30.6% three point percentage, a 79.1% free throw percentage, and a 1.2 steals per game as a true sophomore in 2021-2022.
    
    
    
    A breakout sophomore year by Johnny Davis where he had a career high 37 points in a road win against number three ranked Purdue, a career high 15 rebounds in back-to-back games against Minnesota and Illinois, a career high 5 assists in 4 different games, a career high 4 blocks, and a career high 4 steals is a big reason why Johnny Davis declared for the 2022 NBA Draft.
    
    
    
    Johnny Davis scored 10 points a game in every game this season except one. His consistency was off the charts as a sophomore at Wisconsin with only one game where he had under 10 points despite his field goal percentage and three point percentage declining. This is a guy who can get 37 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 blocks, and 4 steals if he's clicking. That's the ceiling for Johnny Davis even though many will argue the odds of him doing that in one NBA game are low.
    
    
    
    Johnny Davis is an elite defender. He had Jaden Ivey's number when Wisconsin played Purdue.
    
    
    
    
    
11. Oklahoma City Thunder: Ousmane Dieng, SF, New Zealand Breakers C- Grade
    
    
    Oklahoma City drafts a small forward here at 11 after trading multiple first round picks to the New York Knicks. One player the Thunder are rumored to be interested in is Ousmane Dieng from the New Zealand Breakers who I mocked to the Thunder at 12 prior to the Thunder trading for 11. This is now the eighth pick in the top 11 that I've correctly predicted since I mocked Dieng to the Thunder.
    
    
    
    The 6-10 185 lb Ousmane Dieng is the consensus top International prospect in most 2022 NBA Mock drafts with some having him going in the lottery range despite averaging under 9 points per game because of his height and ability to hit short range, mid range, and long range shots on film. I like Nikola Jovic more, but Ousmane Dieng will probably be the first International player drafted.
    
    
    
    Some NBA teams are projecting him to average 15 points per game at the next level despite the fact that he averaged 8.8 points in 20 minutes of play, but he showed he can shoot shots from short range, mid range, and long range. He wasn't consistent, but he ended his season on a high note averaging 13 points per game. Some NBA teams believe he can average around 15 points per game at the NBA level with 36 minutes. THose teams also believe he's versatile enough to play small forward or power forward once he bulks up.
    
    
    
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jalen Williams, SF, Santa Clara C Grade
    
    
    The 6-6 195 lb Jalen Williams is versatile enough to play shooting guard or small forward. He had a rough freshman season with his 1.3 steals per game being his career best that year while also posting 7.7 points per game, 2.8 rebounds per game, and 1.9 assists per game as a true freshman in 2019-2020. Jalen Williams also promising sophomore campaign averaging 11.5 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game, and 2.3 assists per game in 18 games before injuries cut his season short in 2020-2021.
    
    
    
    Jalen Williams aveaged 18 points per game 4.4 rebounds per game, 4.2 assists per game, a 51.3% field goal percentage, a 39.6% three point percentage, a 80.9% free throw percentage, and 1.2 steals per game. He had a crossover on Chet Holmgren and now is teammates with Holmgren. Jalen Williams season best was a season high 30 points against Hawaii. Williams also posted 15 rebounds in an NIT loss to Washington State. Jalen Williams also posted a career high 10 assists against St. Mary's in a 77-72 win for Santa Clara.
    
    
    
    Jalen Williams dominated the 2022 NBA Combine. He had a wingspan of 7 foot at the 2022 NBA Combine. Jalen Williams had a good first game in 5-on-5's at the 2022 NBA Combine, but he improved on that in the second game with 19 points going 7/8 shooting while fighting through screens on defense. He identified gaps and steals. Jalen Williams also dominated the vertical and shuttle times at the 2022 NBA Combine.
    
    
    
    Jalen Williams interviewed with all 30 NBA teams at the 2022 NBA Combine. Twelve of those thirty teams invited Jalen Williams to their team facility for a private workout leading up to the 2022 NBA Draft. Oklahoma City may have gotten a better small forward at 12 then they did at 11. The bottom line is Oklahoma City needed multiple starters at forward, so Oklahoma City is banking on both Ousmane Dieng and Jalen Williams as their two starting forwards.
    
    
    
    Neither Dieng or Williams has the size to play power forward at the 4. One could end up playing there down the road though, but I like this pick more than the Ousmane Dieng pick though.
    
    
    
    
    
13. Detroit Pistons: Jalen Duren, C, Memphis A+ Grade
    
    
    The Charlotte Hornets traded this pick to the New York Knicks who traded the rights to Jalen Duren and Kemba Walker's contract to the Detroit Pistons for the 2025 first round pick from Portland via Milwaukee in the Jermai Grant trade that Detroit acquired.
    
    
    
    Detroit needed a center for their starting five. Detroit got a center who I mocked in my top 10 and who was eleventh on my big board at 13 getting an awesome value pick.
    
    
    
    The 6-11 250 lb Jalen Duren had 12 points per game, 8.1 rebounds per game, 1.3 assists per game, a 59.7% field goal percentage, a 62.5% free throw percentage, and 2.1 blocks per game. Jalen Duren was a good short and mid range shooter in High School at Montverde Academy same High School as Ben Simmons when he was the fourth best overall recruit behind Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero, and Jaden Hardy. However, he had a three point percentage of 0 this season going 0/1 on three point shots at Memphis and that could be what drops him into the 11-15 range.
    
    
    
    Jalen Duren had 22 points in two different games where Memphis won. He also had a contest against Central Florida in the AAC Semifinal where he posted 21 points and 20 rebounds. Jalen Duren had a few games where he showed flashes of being a potential All Star where he's getting 15-20 points and 10 rebounds, but you didn't see that from him consistently enough. Charlotte hasn't hired a coach yet, but he can turn things around as the starting center on the Charlotet Hornets.
    
    
    
14. Cleveland Cavaliers: Ochai Agbaji, SG, Kansas A+ Grade
    
    
    Cleveland has a good starting five with Darius Garland at point guard, Collin Sexton at shooting guard, Caris Levert at small forward if Sexton stays healthy and stays with Cleveland, Evan Mobley at power forward, and Jarrett Allen at center. Kevin Love is a great power forward for depth, but he enters a contract year with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
    
    
    
    Right now, there's a lot of reports that suggest that Collin Sexton will end up elsewhere in a sign and trade because he's projected to make up to $20-million next season. The bottom line is Cleveland would be willing to pay up to $15-million, but not match the $20-million that Collin Sexton's agent is requesting.
    
    
    
    Cleveland will draft one of two shooting guards at 14. Ochai Agbaji the senior from Kansas and Ohio State shooting guard Malaki Branham are the two shooting guards the Cavaliers are eying in on at 14.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 215 lb Ochai Agbaji has 8.5 points per game as a freshman, 10 points per game as a sophomore, and 14.1 points per game as junior prior to returning to Kansas for his senior season. Ochai Agbaji averaged 18.8 points per game, 5.1 rebounds per game, and 1.6 assists per game, a 47.5% field goal percentage, a 40.9% three point percentage, and a 74.3% free throw percentage in 2021-2022.
    
    
    
    Ochai Agbaji led Kansas to a National Championship as a senior. Ochai Agbaji had career highs of 37 points against Texas Tech, 9 rebounds against Baylor, and 4 assists against the Miami Hurricanes in this years Elite 8 game. Ochai Agbaji is the top senior prospect in the 2022 NBA Draft and is capable of sneaking into the lottery despite being a senior which should tell you how good he really is.
    
    
    
    
    
15. Charlotte Hornets: Mark Williams, C, Duke A+ Grade
    
    
    The Charlotte Hornets have LaMelo Ball at point guard, Terry Rozier at shooting guard, Gordon Hayward at small forward, and Miles Bridges at power forward. Charlotte can also play P.J. Washington at power forward and Miles Bridges at small forward if the Hornets rumors about trading Gordon Hayward come to fruition since Hayward enters a contract year. Charlotte also has James Bouknight and Kai Jones their 2021 first round picks for depth at shooting guard and power forward.
    
    
    
    The 7-0 242 lb Mark Williams came back to Duke for his sophomore season after a rocky freshman year. Mark Williams averaged 11.2 points per game, 7.4 rebounds per game, 0.9 assists per game, 2.8 blocks per game, a 66.4% field goal percentage, and a 53.7 free throw percentage which declined significantly from his freshman season. Mark Williams had a career high 28 points against Syracuse, but he was a 10-15 point scorer for the most part. Williams also had 12 rebounds in Duke's Elite 8 win over Arkansas.
    
    
    
    Mark Williams was a good starter at the College level, but you can certainly argue he needs to be more consistent as a starter. He's got potential to be an upgrade over what Charlotte has at center with the fifteenth pick.
    
    
    
    Is he going to be a special player? Probably not, but if he can get 28 points and 12 rebounds in a game, then potential to develop into an All Star is there. I'd say there's a 90 percent chance he doesn't reach that potential, but you never know what can happen once a player turns pro. Maybe Charlotte finds a way to get the most out of him in the NBA.