2022 NBA Mock Draft: Fourth Edition

  Here is the fourth edition of my 2022 NBA Mock Draft.

1. Orlando Magic- Jabari Smith, Power Forward, Auburn: The Magic can have their pick of one of the big three with Smith, Chet Holmgren, and Paolo Banchero. Smith you can make a case is the safest of the top three draft prospects bet due to his fine all around play in college despite poor guard play around him.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder- Chet Holmgren, Power Forward/Center, Gonzaga: The Thunder have to be doing backflips if this scenario presents itself on draft night. Holmgren is the perfect type of player for this young Thunder nucleus with his ability to create his own shot as a stretch five and protect the rim.

3. Houston Rockets- Paolo Banchero, Power Forward/Center, Duke: The Rockets land a player here with a ton of skill and upside here in Banchero. There are mixed thoughts about a frontcourt mix of Banchero, Chrstian Wood, and Alpren Sengun, but he and Jalen Green together is a nice foundation long term.

4. Sacramento Kings- Sheldon Sharpe, Shooting Guard, Kentucky: The Kings have to be thinking a wing player at this spot of the draft considering they need to replace Buddy Hield's production. Sharpe didn't play at Kentucky, but can shoot the lights out of the ball.

5. Detroit Pistons- Keegan Murray, Power Forward, Purdue: The Pistons dropping to the fifth spot is not ideal, but it may not be a complete disaster as they have a few viable options. Murray is a nice fit here as he can be a fun pick and pop partner for Cade Cunningham with his shooting ability.

6. Indiana Pacers- Jaden Ivey, Shooting Guard, Purdue: The fit of Ivey here would be interesting considering they already have Malcolm Brogdon, Tyrese Haliburton, and Buddy Hield on the roster. Ivey is a super explosive player, but he lacks distribution skills.

7. Portland Trail Blazers- AJ Griffin, Small Forward, Duke: This pick would make a ton of sense for the Blazers considering their need for a forward. Griffin had a fine season for the Blue Devils and he can come in and provide some good shooting and athleticism.

8. New Orleans Pelicans (from Los Angeles Lakers)- Johnny Davis, Shooting Guard, Wisconsin: The Pelicans really did leave a great impression on "what could be" after their playoff loss to the Suns. I feel Davis here may be his ceiling, but the fit here is interesting with all the guards and wings the team has considering Davis does just about everything well.

9. San Antonio Spurs-  Bennedict Mathurin, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Arizona: This would be somewhat of a curveball if the Spurs went in this direction. Mathurin really broke out in a big way last season and is your classic three-and-D wing that a ton of teams will covet.

10. Washington Wizards- Dyson Daniels, Shooting Guard, G-League Unite: This would be somewhat of a reach for the Wizards if this was the selection. People are skeptical of Daniels due to his shooting numbers, but he is a solid defender and gets to the basket.

11. New York Knicks- Jeremy Schoan, Small Forward, Baylor: The Knicks ideally would like a guard here, but Schoan may be too good to pass up on. Schoan is someone that really showed off an elite skill set this past season with the Bears and I like the idea of him and RJ Barrett together on the wing.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Los Angeles Clippers)- Ousame Dieng, Small Forward, France: This pick would be a major reach for the Thunder, a player like Dieng is someone that the Thunder should be targeting. Dieng was inconsistent in the NBL, but has tremendous upside with his shot making and ball handling.

13. Charlotte Hornets- Jalen Duren, Center, Memphis: The Hornets need for a center is one of the bigger needs in the entire league. Duren has double-double potential and he would fit nicely with this newer Spurs young core they have.

14. Cleveland Cavaliers- Johnny Davis, Shooting Guard, Wisconsin: The Cavaliers are arguably getting a steal here landing Davis at the end of the lottery. Collin Sexton coming off an injury could end up being expandable and Davis with Darius Garland together would be fun to watch.

15. Charlotte Hornets- Tari Eason, Power Forward, LSU: This would be a very interesting pick for the Hornets, who already have PJ Washington at that position. Eason had a breakout season for the Tigers and is an excellent defender, but has some offensive flaws.

16. Atlanta Hawks- Mark Williams, Center, Duke: This would be a telling selection for the Hawks, who already have three quality big men. Williams is your traditional center who does not space the floor and he doesn't have high upside either.

17. Houston Rockets (from Brooklyn Nets)- Ochai Agbaji, Shooting Guard, Kansas: With their second first, the Rockets take a very steady player in Agbaji.  He really put himself in a good position to return to school and winning Most Outstanding Player in the tournament to be a first rounder.

18. Chicago Bulls- Jean Montero, Point Guard, Overtime Elite: I personally think the Bulls are an unknown in terms of the draft. Montero played in an upstart league in Overtime Elite and showed a smooth touch and passibility.

19. Minnesota Timberwolves- Jaden Hardy, Shooting Guard, G-League Unite: This would be an interesting pick for the T-Wovles, who have an abundance of guards. Hardy is a player that didn't live up to hype with Unite, but has a ton of potential that he could unlock.

20. San Antonio Spurs- Malaki Branham, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Ohio State: With their second first rounder, I have the Spurs doubling down with another wing in Branham. He can shoot it from well from three and gets into the paint often.

21. Denver Nuggets- Kendall Brown, Small Forward, Baylor: The Nuggets are a team that is going to be in the conversation for the 2023 NBA title with some key players returning from injury. Brown can come off the bench and provide solid play and has the athleticism to succeed.

22. Memphis Grizzlies (from Utah Jazz)- Ty Ty Washington, Point Guard/Shooting Guard, Kentucky: Washington falling all the way to here would be a major steal for the Grizzlies. Tyus Jones is going to be a free agent, so it would be smart for the team to draft a player to back up and even play alongside Ja Morant.

23. Brooklyn Nets (from Philadelphia 76ers)- EJ Liddell, Power Forward, Ohio State: With the James Harden trade potentially looking like a win for the Nets, they get a good player with the pick here in Liddell. He s somebody that is a little bit older, but improved each and every season at Ohio State.

24. Milwaukee Bucks- Kennedy Chandler, Point Guard, Tennessee: I like the fit here with the Bucks considering their need for guard depth behind Jrue Holliday. Chandler is a super poised player with his playmaking abilities and plays turnover free for the most part.

25. San Antonio Spurs (from Boston Celtics)- Walker Kessler, Center, Auburn: The Spurs go with a big with their final of three first rounders. Kessler is an absolute monster defensively in the paint and blocks shots like there's no tomorrow.

26. Dallas Mavericks- Jalen Williams, Shooting Guard, Santa Clara: The Mavericks have a future MVP on their hands in Luka Doncic, so they need to build a team that best suits Doncic. Williams has been a big time riser of late in terms of draft prospects and showed tremendous potential as a three-and-D wing.

27. Miami Heat- Patrick Baldwin IV, Small Forward/Power Forward, Milwaukee: Baldwin was a massive disappointment this past season with injuries and I feel that he probably should have played for a larger branded program considering the hype he had. Baldwin could rediscover his potential that he had coming into college on the right team.

28. Golden State Warriors- Nikola Jovic, Power Forward, Serbia: The Warriors are a strong candidate to trade out of this selection. Jovic is the safest bet of the international players in this draft and he is your classic "point forward" type of player that does a little bit of everything.

29. Memphis Grizzlies- Leonard Miller, Small Forward, Canada: Miller is a fast riser as the draft approaches in four weeks from today. He is a long term project for sure, but has capabilities to be a great wing player down the road.

30. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Phoenix Suns)- Terquavion Smith, Shooting Guard, NC State: I can see the Thunder trying to move back up in the teens and using this pick with either a current player or a future pick. Smith is a player that has a good shot and could be a solid bench scorer for someone.