With the 2022 NBA Draft less than three weeks away, we're ready to dip our toes into the freezing cold waters of uncertainty with our first NBA Mock Draft of the year.
This year's draft features plenty of NBA betting intrigue with not much separating the three big men who are battling it out to go first overall.
The chaos doesn't stop there, with plenty of depth but little difference among the other players pegged for the first round.
With an eye toward the NBA Draft odds currently available, here is version 1.0 of our Covers 2022 NBA Mock Draft.
•ORL •OKC •HOU •SAC •DET •IND •POR •NOP •SA •WSH
•NYK •OKC •CHA •CLE •CHA •ATL •HOU •CHI •MIN •SA
•DEN •MEM •PHI •MIL •SA •DAL •MIA •GS •MEM •OKC
1. Orlando Magic: Jabari Smith, PF, Auburn
Smith is now a whopping -450 favorite to go first overall and it's tough to go against the grain there (although Banchero at +2,700 is pretty appealing). The 6-foot-10 Smith is a better defender than Banchero and more versatile than Holmgren while having the frame to handle the physicality of the NBA. He also has the range that teams are currently seeking in a big man.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder: Paolo Banchero, PF, Duke
Almost every online mock also has Holmgren going No. 2 but Banchero is a better fit for the Thunder and at +1,000, he's got terrific betting value. While the Duke product doesn't have the defensive ability of Holmgren, he has an NBA-ready body and can score at every level while also acting as a facilitator for his teammates.
The Thunder seem to have an all-around stat-stuffer in Josh Giddey and a lockdown defender with some scoring punch in Luguentz Dort, but they need another shot-creator and go-to scorer to compliment Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
3. Houston Rockets: Chet Holmgren, C, Gonzaga
If the Thunder take Banchero, the Rockets will be left with Holmgren, who is a pretty good consolation prize. I'm not completely sold on the seven-footer, who weighs in at just 195 pounds, but he won't have to bang down low with Houston since they already have Christian Wood and Alperen Sengun.
Holmgren's offensive versatility will allow him to set up on the wing at times while his shot-blocking ability should give a massive boost to a defense that has been awful at defending the rim.
4. Sacramento Kings: Jaden Ivey, G, Purdue
I don't necessarily think the Kings will make this pick, since they seem set in the backcourt with De'Aaron Fox and Davion Mitchell, but it wouldn't surprise me if someone else trades up for Ivey. The Purdue product is the best guard in the draft and is ultra-athletic with an explosive first step and the ability to create his own offense.
5. Detroit Pistons: Keegan Murray, F, Iowa
Murray should be an instant upgrade for the Pistons on the wing, especially if they part ways with Jerami Grant. The 6-foot-8 forward was arguably the best college player in the country last season after averaging 23.5 points and 8.7 rebounds per game with the Hawkeyes. Murray can attack the rim, shoot from 3-point range, and is a plus defender. His ability to play off the ball will make Cade Cunningham very happy in Detroit.
6. Indiana Pacers: Shaedon Sharpe, F, Kentucky
Sharpe was the consensus No. 1 recruit in the high school class of 2022 but after joining Kentucky in the middle of the season and reclassifying, he will essentially go straight from high school to the NBA. The Pacers are settled in their backcourt, with Malcolm Brogdon and Tyrese Haliburton, but could use Sharpe's elite athleticism on the wing.
He's a bit of an unknown compared to the other players available at this spot but his size, run-jump ability, and silky-smooth moves give him as high of a ceiling as anyone in this class.
7. Portland Trail Blazers: Bennedict Mathurin, SF, Arizona
Sharpe isn't the only athletic Canadian wing projected to go in the Top 10, and Mathurin was highly productive with Arizona as a sophomore last year leading the team with 17.7 ppg. He can run the floor, shoot from deep, and defend. While he'll likely never be a No. 1 scoring option, he has the versatility to fit in anywhere.
8. New Orleans Pelicans (via LAL): AJ Griffin, SF, Duke
Griffin isn't the most athletic wing and isn't going to create for others or help much on the boards. However, he's an excellent outside shooter that hit 44.7% of his threes as a freshman at Duke and he has the size to contribute on defense. He's also just 18-years-old, so he has plenty of room to develop.
9. San Antonio Spurs: Dyson Daniels, SG, G League Ignite
A long combo-guard who can attack the rim, create for others, rebound, and play tough defense. San Antonio could really use another ball-handler alongside Dejounte Murray and adding the eerily similar Daniels would be very intriguing.
10. Washington Wizards: Johnny Davis, SG/SF, Wisconsin
The Wizards simply need more talent across the board and Davis (not Murray) was named the Big Ten player of the year after dropping 19.7 ppg for the Badgers. The 20-year-old isn't ultra-athletic or a 3-point sniper but he's a crafty scorer with an efficient mid-range game, and he gives a solid effort on the defensive end of the floor.
11. New York Knicks: TyTy Washington, PG, Kentucky
The Knicks need a lead guard who can facilitate for others and Washington is the best on the board. Washington can pass, shoot from the perimeter, and defend, and averaged 12.5 points, 3.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game as a freshman with Kentucky last season.
12. Thunder (via LAC): Ousmane Dieng SF, NZ Breakers
The Thunder value length as much as any team in the NBA and with multiple first-round selections for the second year in a row, they can afford to gamble on a high-ceiling prospect like Dieng.
The 18-year-old played in the Australian NBL last season and flashed his vast potential with his defensive versatility, shot-creating, and playmaking ability. He's raw but OKC can afford to bring him along slowly.
13. Charlotte Hornets: Jalen Duren C, Memphis
It's pretty obvious that Charlotte needs an upgrade over Mason Plumlee at center. Duren will likely be the youngest player taken in the draft so he's just scratching his potential. Duren is a true center with an NBA-ready body, and he'll help on the glass while having the athleticism to run the floor and catch lobs from LaMelo Ball.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers: Malaki Branham SG, Ohio State
The Cavs have a pair of twin towers and Darius Garland at point guard, but they need more outside shooting and depth on the wing. Branham addresses both areas. His frame suggests that he can be a plus defender in the pros and he averaged 13.7 ppg on 50/42/83 shooting splits as a freshman at Ohio State last year.
15. Charlotte Hornets (via NOP): Jeremy Sochan PF, Baylor
Sochan would be another interesting piece for the Hornets to add. His length and defensive versatility would be a valuable commodity on a Hornets squad that ranked near the bottom of the league in points allowed and he can also facilitate for his teammates.
He'll also be one of the younger players in this draft, so he's got lots of room to grow.
16. Atlanta Hawks: Tari Eason F, LSU
The Hawks tend to draft the best player available and Eason would fit that bill while also providing an instant upgrade defensively. The LSU product is long and athletic and can defend multiple positions while also having the ability to finish at the rim on offense.
17. Rockets (via BKN): Nikola Jovic, F, KK Mega Basket (Adriatic League)
Since we had Houston taking the highest-rated guard at No. 3, we have it grabbing the 6-foot-10 Jovic here. Jovic is a highly-skilled forward that can put the ball on the floor and shoot. He's far from NBA ready but has tons of upside and the Rockets aren't exactly looking to immediately contend.
Jovic also met with the Rockets at the draft combine last weekend.
18. Chicago Bulls: Ochai Agbaji, SG, Kansas
Agbaji was named the Big 12 Player of the Year but at 22 years old his ceiling isn't as high as the guys taken ahead of him. He still projects as a 3-and-D role player at the next level who should be able to contribute early in his career. That will be an important consideration for a playoff-caliber Bulls team that needs help on the wing.
19. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jalen Williams, SG, Santa Clara
Williams (not to be confused with Arkansas big man Jaylin Williams) is one of the draft's fastest risers after wowing teams at the combine and his pro day. The Santa Clara swingman can knock down shots from the perimeter and his absurd 7-foot-2 wingspan should make him a defensive terror.
The Wolves have their dynamic duo in KAT and Anthony Edwards but they need to round out that lineup with switchable defenders and guys that can help with spacing.
20. Spurs (via TOR): Mark Williams, C, Duke
The Spurs had no depth behind Jakob Poeltl last season and Williams would be a big help in that area. The 240-pound Williams had a massive standing reach of 9-foot-9 at the combine and was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year after leading Duke with 7.4 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game. He's also an efficient scorer inside the paint and is reliable at the charity stripe.
21. Denver Nuggets: Kendall Brown, SF, Baylor
Brown is raw but has tons of potential, especially on the defensive side of the floor where his 6-foot-8-inch frame and athleticism will make him an asset. He doesn't have the skill set to be a go-to scorer, but he can knock down open shots and attack the rim. The Nuggets can afford to be patient with him on offense as long as he brings energy off the bench on D.
22. Memphis Grizzlies (via UTA): Kennedy Chandler, PG, Tennessee
The Grizzlies might look to move on from backup point guard Tyus Jones, who has likely played his way on to a big contract with another team. Thankfully, a suitable replacement might fall into their lap in Chandler, who grew up in nearby Cordova.
Chandler has a natural feel for the pick-and-roll and is a terrific athlete with hops and blazing speed. His smaller size is probably his biggest drawback as a prospect, but it didn't stop him from being a pesky defender at Tennessee where he averaged 2.2 steals per game.
23. Philadelphia 76ers: EJ Liddell, PF, Ohio State
A disappointing playoff finish notwithstanding, the 76ers are still clearly in win-now mode and Liddell has the experience to earn playing time from Day 1. The 6-foot-7, 240-pound power forward is a skilled offensive player that led the Buckeyes with 19.4 ppg on 49/37/77 shooting splits as a junior last year.
He also proved that he's far more athletic than he's been given credit for by posting a standing vertical of 35.5 inches — the highest number of any player at the combine.
24. Milwaukee Bucks: MarJon Beauchamp, SF, G League Ignite
The solidly built swingman will provide energy on both ends of the floor. He averaged 15.1 ppg with the G League Ignite last season and with his size and strength, he should be able to defend multiple positions.
25. Spurs (via BOS): Jake LaRavia, F, Wake Forest
LaRavia has power forward size with a small forward skillset. He is a versatile, high IQ player that can help a team in a variety of ways. His stock also took a boost when it was revealed that he was actually 20 years old and not the 22 he had previously been listed at (funny how just two years can change how prospects are viewed).
26. Dallas Mavericks: Walker Kessler, C, Florida
The Mavs were one of the better defensive teams in the league, but they still need to get better at protecting the rim. Kessler led the country in blocked shots last year and he's not just a stiff, also showing the ability to switch on to smaller players and finish at the rim.
There are a few other centers that might also fit with Dallas, including French big man Ismael Kamagate, Arizona's Christian Koloko, and Michigan's Moussa Diabate, who looked very impressive at the combine.
27. Miami Heat: Jaden Hardy, SG, G League Ignite
The shooting guard lacks polish but can attack the rim and score at every level. Hardy was one of the top recruits in the nation coming out of high school last year and averaged 17.7 ppg with the Ignite. He has to vastly improve his shot selection and needs to play harder on the defensive end of the floor but has the swagger and scoring ability to outplay his draft position.
28. Golden State Warriors: Jaylin Williams, PF, Arkansas
Williams earned first-team All-SEC and SEC All-Defensive Team honors with Arkansas last season, and he should provide front-court depth for the Warriors. He fits as a high-energy, defensive-minded big man with a developing offensive game.
29. Grizzlies: Caleb Houston, SF, Michigan
The former five-star recruit was once projected as a lottery selection, but his stock dropped after a disappointing freshman year with Michigan. He's still highly talented and has the size and shooting ability to carve out that valued 3-and-D role in the pros.
30. Thunder (via PHX): Blake Wesley, SG, Notre Dame
The final pick of the first round is also the third pick currently owned by Oklahoma City. Similar to the Spurs situation, there is no guarantee that the Thunder will hold on to this pick but regardless of who eventually makes this selection, Blake Wesley might be the best player left on the board.
Guys that can create their own shot are always in demand in today's NBA and Wesley is capable of filling up the bucket even if he struggled with his shooting efficiency in South Bend.
2022 NBA Draft FAQs
The draft will start at 8 p.m. ET on June 23.
Auburn's Jabari Smith is currently the favorite to get taken first overall at odds of -165. Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren is second on the NBA Draft odds board at +125.
