2022 NBA Mock Draft: Final Mock 2 Rounds

Round 1 Picks 16-30

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

16. Atlanta Hawks: Malaki Branham, SG, Ohio State
    
    
    If Atlanta was smart they'd draft Malaki Branham here at 16 and keep last years starters together. If they trade John Collins before the draft like many are speculating, then I may end up putting Jeremy Sochan here even though I got a second round grade on Sochan.
    
    
    
    The Atlanta Hawks already have a good starting five with Trae Young at point guard, Kevin Huerter at shooting guard, De'Andre Hunter at small forward, John Collins at power forward, and Clint Capela at center. Danillo Gallinari, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Onyeka Okongwu, and Jalen Johnson out of Duke provide four quality bench players with Gallinari and Bogdanovic being reliable starters if injuries occur for the 2022-2023 NBA Season next year. When Atlanta was fully healthy, they started Bogdanovic at shooting guard and Kevin Huerter at small forward for 9 of their 82 regular season games. Injuries to John Collins and Clint Capela caused the Atlanta Hawks to suffer a first round playoff exit against the top seed Miami Heat.
    
    
    
    The only untouchables in terms of players drafted on Atlanta are Trae Young, Kevin Huerter, De'Andre Hunter until a better player comes along, and John Collins all drafted by the Atlanta Hawks with Clint Capela's contract expiring in 2025 giving Atlanta three years to win Trae Young a championship before Capela tests Free Agency. Young has a great supporting cast that can get him far when everyone is healthy. Young got Atlanta to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals, but finding another star player to pair with Trae Young and John Collins should be the top priority and with the sixteenth overall pick, the odds of finding a superstar at that point are stacked against the Atlanta Hawks, but one of the most consistent players in the 2022 NBA Draft fell to Atlanta. It's possible that the Atlanta Hawks could be getting a massive steal here at 16.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 180 lb Malaki Branham is a shooting guard who has the size of a point guard. Malaki Branham averaged 13.7 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game, 2 assists per game, a 49.8% field goal percentage, a 41.6% three point percentage, and an 83.3% free throw percentage as a true freshman at Ohio State in 2021-2022. Malaki Branham had a career high 35 points against Nebraska, a career high 8 rebounds against Iowa, and a career high 5 assists agaisnt Northwestern.
    
    
    
    Malaki Branham played in all 32 games starting 31 of those contests dominating in about 8 of the games he started. Branham is a reliable starter averaging over 10 points per game in 17/31 games started, however he'll only put up an All Star performance in 25 percent of your teams games which is something to take into account if you scout for an NBA team. That's the best the Cleveland Cavaliers can do if they want a more natural shooting guard as well as a potential replacement for Collin Sexton since Sexton was a point guard coming out of Alabama in the 2018 NBA Draft. I wouldn't trade Sexton, but it sounds like that's the direction the Cleveland Cavaliers may be leaning in after rumors about trading Sexton leading up to the 2021 NBA Draft.
    
    
    
    By 2023-2024, Atlanta would have Trae Young, Malaki Branham, Kevin Huerter, John Collins, and Clint Capela in their starting five with De'Andre Hunter as either a sixth man or someone you can trade for a veteran to win now in the event that Branham wins a starting job. If Malaki Branham isn't ready to start, you'd still have your current starting five, but I believe Davis can be the difference maker Atlanta lacks. That's why I believe the Atlanta Hawks would have a two year window of opportunity to win the NBA Finals in 2024 and 2025 kind of like what the Boston Celtics currently have right now in the Eastern Conference, if the Hawks can draft Johnny Davis or hit on this pick at 16.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Johnny Davis, SG, Wisconsin
    
    
17. Houston Rockets: Jalen Williams, SF, Santa Clara
    
    
    Houston will either take a small forward or point guard at 17. I'm leaning towards the small forward since there's a chance Houston rolls with Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green as their two starters at guard even though both are true shooting guards with neither guy being a true point guard.
    
    
    
    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. 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. Houston could end p taking a player as skilled and talented as Jalen Williams at 17.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Kennedy Chandler, PG, Tennessee
    
    
    
    
18. Chicago Bulls: E.J. Liddell, PF, Ohio State
    
    
    Chicago has a good starting five with Lonzo Ball at point guard, Zach Lavine at shooting guard, DeMar DeRozan at small forward, Patrick Williams at power forward, and Nikola Vucevic at center. This starting five will score. Many question this teams ability to defend effectively outside of Williams and Vucevic on the front court, but this core showed they could compete with anyone in the East before injuries occur.
    
    
    
    Zach Lavine entered in a contract year. Chicago is expected to give Zach Lavine a max offer and if they do, then I expect Chicago to use their first round pick on a power forward that can push Patrick Williams for minutes and step in if Williams gets injured again. If Lavine is moved by a sign and trade, then Chicago could use this pick on a shooting guard, but I'm not speculating that possibility since I expect Lavine to re-sign with Chicago.
    
    
    
    The 6-7 240 E.J. Liddell played power forward at Ohio State. He may have the size and frame to play small forward in the NBA though. E.J. Liddell gives Minnesota a day 1 starter at power forward.
    
    
    
    E.J. Liddell's current player comparison by most NBA Draft websites is Grant Williams, one of the better bench players on the Boston Celtics. Liddell averaged 16.2 points per game, 67 rebounds per game, 1.8 assists per game, and 1.1 blocks per game as a sophomore in 2020-2021, but chose to return to Ohio State for his junior season.
    
    
    
    E.J. Liddell averaged 19.4 points per game, 7.9 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game, 2.6 blocks per game, a career high 49% field goal percentage, a career high 37.4% three point percentage, and a career high 76.5% free throw percentage as a junior in 2021-2022. E.J. Liddell had a career high 34 points against Northwestern, a career high 15 rebounds against Minnesota, and a career high 7 assists against Nebraska. He also had 14 points and 14 rebounds against Duke when Ohio State upset the number one team in College Basketball.
    
    
    Previous Pick: David Roddy, PF, Colorado State
    
    
19. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jeremy Sochan, PF, Baylor
    
    
    Minnesota has D'Angelo Russell at point guard, Anthony Edwards at shooting guard, and Karl Anthony-Towns at center. I feel like Minnesota could use upgrades at both small forward and power forward though. Baylor power forward Jeremy Sochan is easily the best player available at 19.
    
    
    
    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 someone will take him in the top 20. One team that may gamble on his traits is the Minnesota Timberwolves at 19.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Patrick Baldwin Jr., PF, Wisconsin-Milwaukee
    
    
    
    
20. San Antonio Spurs: David Roddy, PF, Colorado State
    
    
    San Antonio has Toronto's 2022 first round pick. San Antonio rounds out their starting five with this second first round pick at 20.
    
    
    
    The 6-6 252 lb David Roddy is versatile enough to play shooting guard, small forward, or power forward with his versatility. Outside of Patrick Baldwin Jr., he is the most versatile prospect in the 2022 NBA Draft with the versatility to play three different positions.
    
    
    
    David Roddy has always stepped up as a scorer and a rebounder at Colorado State averaging over 10 points per game in all three seasons at Colorado State. David Roddy averaged 19.2 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game, 2.9 assists per game, a 57.1% field goal percentage, a 43.8% three point percentage, a 69.1% free throw percentage, 1.2 steals per game and 1.1 blocks per game as a junior in 2021-2022.
    
    
    
    David Roddy scored double digit points in 28/31 games he started. David Roddy had a career high 36 points in 34 minutes against Creighton, a career high 13 rebounds against Arkansas Pine Bluff, and a career high 7 assists against New Mexico. Roddy's consistency as a scorer leads me to believe that he may be worthy of a top 20 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Nikola Jovic, SF, Mega Bemax
    
    
    
    
21. Denver Nuggets: Jaden Hardy, SG, Ignite (NBA G-League)
    
    
    Denver will have a starting five with Monte Morris at point guard, Jamal Murray at shooting guard, Michael Porter Jr. at small forward, Aaron Gordon at power forward, and Nikola Jokic at center. Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. cannot seem to stay healthy. I'm getting Denver a shooting guard that can step in and take over down the road if Murray cannot recover from his injury that took place in the 2020 NBA Playoffs.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 196 lb Jaden Hardy had 17.7 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game, 3.2 assists per game, a 35.1% field goal percentage, a 26.9% three point percentage, a 88.2% free throw percentage, and 1.2 steals with Ignite in the NBA G League against men. Denver can take Hardy here and gamble on him as an insurance plan if Jamal Murray doesn't recover from his injury during the Covid-19 bubble.
    
    
    
22. Memphis Grizzlies: Walker Kessler, C, Auburn
    
    
    The Memphis Grizzlies finally got the first round pick from the Mike Conley trade for the 2022 NBA Draft. Memphis has point guard Ja Morant, shooting guard Desmond Bane, small forward Dillon Brooks, and power forward Jaren Jackson Jr. with the only need to fill out this starting five being at center.
    
    
    
    The 7-1 245 lb Walker Kessler improved drastically since his freshman season at Auburn doing well as a sophomore at the 5 next to Jabari Smith Jr. who played the 4. Walker Kessler averaged 11.4 points per game, 8.1 rebounds per game, 4.6 blocks per game, a 60.8% field goal percentage, a 20% three point percentage, anda 59.6% free throw percentage. Walker Kessler had a career high 22 points against Vanderbilt, a career high 19 rebounds against Arkansas, and a career high 12 blocks against Texas A&M following his 19 rebound game against Arkansas. You can make a definitive argument that Walker Kessler is the best shot blocker not named Chet Holmgen in the entire 2022 NBA Draft.
    
    
    
    That case for putting Walker Kessler in the lottery. After moving out of the lottery, Walker Kessler fell to the Memphis Grizzlies at 22 where he would fill an immediate need at center.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Christian Koloko, C, Arizona
    
    
    
    
23. Philadelphia 76ers: Nikola Jovic, SF, Mega Bemax
    
    
    Philadelphia has Tyrese Maxey at point guard, James Harden at shooting guard, Tobias Harris at power forward, and Joel Embiid at center. Philadelphia also has Jaden Springer for depth at point guard a sixth man. Philadelphia is literally a good small forward away from being able to go toe to toe with any team in the Eastern Conference assuming their roster is fully healthy by the time the 2023 NBA Playoffs roll around next season.
    
    
    
    The 6-10 225 lb Nikola Jovic lined up at shooting guard, small forward, and power forward really showcasing his versatility for Mega Bemax this season. Nikola Jovic averaged 11.8 points per game in 2020-2021 and then only averaged 11.7 points per game in 2021-2022. Jovic averaged 4.7 rebounds per game and 3.6 assists per game in 2021-2022 with Mega Bemax.
    
    
    
    Even though Ousmane Dieng will likely be the first International player drafted, I don't think Dieng is the best International player in the 2022 NBA Draft. My favorite International player in the 2022 NBA Draft is Nikola Jovic, so Philadelphia grabs Jovic at 23 addressing their final team need.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Wendell Moore Jr., SF, Duke
    
    
24. Milwaukee Bucks: Blake Wesley, SG, Notre Dame
    
    
    Milwaukee has Jrue Holliday at point guard, Donte DiVincenzo at shooting guard, Khris Middleton at small forward, Giannis Antetokounmpo the 2021 NBA Finals MVP at power forward, and Brook Lopez at center. All five of those starters are back with Lopez entering a contract year, plus four more backups with Milwaukee's backup center being the only restricted Free Agent. Milwaukee literally has the luxury to go with the best player on the board.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 185 lb Blake Wesley is is a shooting guard with the body of a point guard. Blake Wesley averaged 14.4 points per game, 3.7 rebounds per game, 2.4 assists per game, a 40.4% field goal percentage, a 30.3% free throw percentage, a 65.7% free throw percentage, and 1.3 steals per game as a true freshman in 2021-2022. Blake Wesley had a career high 24 points against Wake Forest, a career high 8 rebounds in 2 games and a career high 7 assists in 2 games.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Ismael Kamagate, C, Paris Basketball
    
    
    
    
25. San Antonio Spurs: Tyty Washington Jr., PG, Kentucky
    
    
    The San Antonio Spurs got a third first round pick for trading Derrick White their 2017 first round pick out of Colorado to the Boston Celtics. San Antonio can add a point guard for depth here and this the lowest a point guard has been drafted since Boston drafted Rajon Rondo twenty first overall back in 2006.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 185 lb Tyty Washington Jr. is the best player on the board at this point and the first point guard drafted at pick 25. Tyty Washington Jr. could watch his NBA Draft stock surge with a huge season at Kentucky.
    
    
    
    Tyty Washington Jr. averaged 12.5 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game, 3.5 assists per game, a 45.1% field goal percentage, a 35% three point percentage, and a 75% free throw percentage as a freshman in 2021-2022. Tyty Washington Jr. had a career high 28 points against Tennesseee, a career high 12 rebounds against Ohio, and a career high 17 assists against Georgia.
    
    
    
    The gap between Kennedy Chandler and Tyty Washington Jr. in the 2022 NBA Draft is much thinner than you'd think. While Chandler had better High School tape and averaged more points per game, it was Washington who demonstrated the higher ceiling which is why Tyty Washington Jr. is now the consensus top ranked point guard in the 2022 NBA Draft.
    
    
    
    Tyty Washington has the ceiling to be a triple double player if he can get 28 points, 17 assists, and 12 rebounds in one game. I think that's a long shot, but he's gotten highs of 28 points, 17 assists, and 12 rebounds in three different games.
    
    
    
    Tyty Washington had a private workout with the New York Knicks at 11, and I've seen him mocked as high as 16 to Atlanta Hawks. The bottom line is Tyty Washington is a steal at 25 and would be an amazing backup to Dejounte Murray in San Antonio.
    
    
    
26. Houston Rockets: Kennedy Chandler, PG, Tennessee
    
    
    The Dallas Mavericks have Luka Doncic at point guard, Steve Dinwiddle at shooting guard, Tim Hardaway Jr. at small forward, Dorian Finney-Smith at power forward, and Christian Wood at center. Starting shooting guard Jalen Brunson is an unrestricted Free Agent and Dallas may be able to place a bird option on him. However, Houston now owns this first round pick thanks to trading their starting center Christian Wood to Dallas for the twenty sixth overall pick.
    
    
    
    Houton needs a starting point guard to round out their starting five. Kennedy Chandler is a true point guard and he makes sense at 26.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 171 lb Kennedy Chandler is a great passer. He can shoot from short range, mid range, or long range. Kennedy Chandler is a great value pick for the Houston Rockets at 26.
    
    
    
    Kennedy Chandler averaged 13.9 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game, 4.7 assists per game, a 46.4% field goal percentage, a 38.3% three point percentage, a 60.6% free throw percentage, and 2.2 steals per game as a freshman in 2021-2022. Kennedy Chandler had a career high 27 points against Colorado on the road, a career high 10 assists in 2 different games with a minimum of 2 assists in each regular season game he played in, and a career high 8 rebounds in a road win against Missouri.
    
    
    
    John Wall was great in Washington, but I don't think he's done enough to warrant a max contract. Kennedy Chandler fits that bill.
    
    
    
    Houston now has Kennedy Chandler at point guard, Jalen Green at shooting guard, Jalen Williams at small forward, Paolo Banchero at power forward, and Alperen Sengun at center. Houston also has Kevin Porter Jr. who compliments this core well too. That's a good starting five to have if you're confident in Sengun. If Houston sucks next year they can upgrade at center with Victor Wembanyama in the 2023 NBA Draft.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Jake LaRavia, SF, Wake Forest
    
    
    
    
27. Miami Heat: Jaylin Williams, PF, Arkansas
    
    
    Miami has Kyle Lowry at point guard, Duncan Robinson at shooting guard, Jimmy Butler at small forward, and Bam Adeboyo at center. A power forward to round out this starting five is needed if Miami wants to keep up with either Boston or Milwaukee next season.
    
    
    
    The 6-10 240 lb Jaylin Williams stepped up after struggling as a freshman with a big sophomore season. Jaylen Williams had 10.9 points per game, 9.8 rebounds per game, 2.6 assists per game, a 46.1% field goal percentage, a 23.9% three point percentage, a 72.9% free throw percentage, 1.3 steals per game, and 1.1 blocks per game in 2021-2022.
    
    
    
    Jaylin Williams field goal percentage, three point percentage, and free throw percentage declined despite a strong sophomore season. Jaylin Williams had a career high 22 points against Alabama, a career high 16 rebounds against Tennessee, and a career high 7 assists against Northern Iowa.
    
    
    
    The Arkasnsas Razorbacks power forward played a big role in helping Arkansas knock off top seed Gonzaga while leading the Razorbacks to this years elite 8. Jaylin Williams had 16 double doubles in 35 starts for Arkansas.
    
    
    
28. Golden State Warriors: Jean Montero, PG, Overtime Elite
    
    
    Golden State will still have Steph Curry at point guard, Klay Thompson at shooting guard, Andrew Wiggins at small forward, Draymond Green at power forward, and James Wiseman at center in their starting five. Sixth man Jordan Poole will be back next season as he's stepped in off the bench for both Steph Curry and Klay Thompson at both guard spots mainly shooting guard being called a third Splash Brother along with Curry and Thompson.
    
    
    
    Golden State loses six bench players to Free Agency with the two most notable names being backup center Kevon Looney whose stepped up for an injury prone James Wiseman as well as former 2015 NBA Finals MVP Andre Iguodala.
    
    
    
    Golden State took the two youngest players with the highest ceilings in the 2021 NBA Draft when they drafted Jonathan Kuminga at 7 as a small forward for depth behind Andrew Wiggins. Golden State also drafted Moses Moody for depth at shooting guard behind Klay Thompson who they may not need now with Jordan Poole Golden State's 2019 first round pick stepping up.
    
    
    
    I expect Golden State to take a similar approach in the 2022 NBA Draft. Luckily for Golden State, an 18-year-old point guard that can be groomed to succeed Steph Curry.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 180 lb Jean Montero is versatile enough to play point guard or shooting guard with his versatility. Jean Montero averaged 18 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game, 4.4 assists per game, and 2.5 steals per game in Spain. He had 18 points per game and nearly 8 rebounds per game with Overtime Elite.
    
    
    
    Jean Montero has the passing, short range, medium range, and long range you want an offensive point guard to have. He's not a bad rebounder, but he's got to improve defensively. Going to Golden State and learning under Steph Curry could do wonders for Jean Montero.
    
    
    
    
    
29. Memphis Grizzlies: Wendell Moore Jr., SF, Duke
    
    
    Memphis gets a brand new small forward for depth here at 29. Wendell Moore Jr. is a good bench player for Memphis and he's also the betting odds favorite to go to the Memphis Grizzlies at 29 now.
    
    
    
    Duke small forward Wendell Moore Jr. won the Julius Erving Player of the Year Award for the top small forward in College Basketball. He was also the team captain at Duke.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 213 lb Wendell Moore Jr finally broke out as a junior averaging 13.4 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game, 4.4 assists per game, a 50% field goal percentage, a 41.3% three point percentage, 80.5 free throw percentage, and 1.4 steals per game in 2021-2022. Wendell Moore Jr. had a career high 26 points against Syracuse in the quarterfinals of the 2022 ACC Tournament, a career high 12 rebounds in Duke's loss to Miami FL, and a career high 8 assists in a regular season win over Syracuse.
    
    
    
    Wendell Moore Jr. isn't an All Star caliber player. He's an effective starter with fantastic leadership traits. He's also someone who can be a quality depth piece for a playoff team like the Memphis Grizzlies.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Ochai Agbaji, SG, Kansas
    
    
30. Denver Nuggets: Jake LaRavia, SF, Wake Forest
    
    
    Denver gets a depth piece for Michael Porter Jr. here. Jake LaRavia is a steal at 30. There's some rumors that Miami might take him at 27, so if he makes it to 30, then Denver would grab LaRavia in a heartbeat.
    
    
    
    The 6-8 235 lb Jake LaRavia had a career high 40.7% three point percentage and 1.2 blocks per game as a true freshman at Wake Forest while posting 9.4 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game, and 1.6 assists per game in 2019-2020. LaRavia posted a career high 77.9% free throw percentage as a sophomore while also averaging 12.3 points per game, 6.3 rebounds per game, and 2.3 assists per game in 2020-2021.
    
    
    
    Jake LaRavia had 14.6 points per game, 6.6 rebounds per game, 3.7 assists per game, a 55.9% field goal percentage, a 38.4% three point percentage, a 77.7% free throw percenage, 1.7 steals per game, and 1 block per game during his junior season at Wake Forest in 2021-2022. Jake LaRavia had a career high 31 points against North Carolina. Jake LaRavia also posted a career high 13 rebounds and 9 assists in Tallahasee in a road win against the Florida State Seminoles.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Dominick Barlow, PF, Overtime Elite