2022 DBR Mock Draft -- IT'S A WRAP!

[JasonEvans]

And awaaaaaay we go!

This is the thread for the 2022 DBR Mock Draft.

THE MOST IMPORTANT JOB OF THE GM IS TO MAKE TIMELY PICKS!! When it is your turn, you make a pick and explain your rationale. There are no trades allowed. The NBA's draft order today is the order we will use.

Very important -- Do not make us wait many hours for you to make your pick. Every picker will be on the clock. If you fail to make your pick in a timely fashion, I will draft for you based on the best available player on the various NBA mock draft boards. Here is how the clock will work:

Mon-Fri between 8am and 8pm ET, the clock is 4 hours. Make a pick in 4 hours or forfeit your pick to me (or some other designated picker).
Sat and Sun, the clock is 6 hours between 8am and 8pm ET (to allow for people who have activities away from the computer on weekends).

Please note -- you are allowed (and encouraged) to make picks before your time is up and you are allowed to make picks late at night even though the clock is suspended. Also, if you are worried you will not be available and can see your pick is coming up, PM some possible picks to me and I can post it for you.

Any further questions, either PM me or post in this thread.

Here is our draft order (note, some GM slots remain unfilled, post here or in the other thread if you want to claim one of those teams):

1st Round:
1. Orlando - coldriver10 ----> Paolo Banchero, Duke
2. Oklahoma City - accfanfrom1970 ----> Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga
3. Houston - roywhite ----> Jabari Smith, Auburn
4. Sacramento - Billy Dat ----> Ochai Agbaji, Kansas
5. Detroit - scottdude8 ----> Jaden Ivey, Purdue
6. Indiana - flyingdutchdevil ----> Keegan Murray, Iowa
7. Portland - pfrduke ----> Shaedon Sharpe, Kentucky-sorta
8. New Orleans - brevity ----> Jeremy Sochan, Baylor
9. San Antonio - Daddylawman ----> Bennedict Mathurin, Arizona
10. Washington - powellhill1981----> AJ Griffin, Duke
11. New York - johnb ----> Mark Williams, Duke
12. Oklahoma City - accfanfrom1970 ----> Ousmane Dieng, France
13. Charlotte - jipops ----> Jalen Duren, Memphis
14. Cleveland - gam7 ----> Johnny Davis, Wisconsin
15. Charlotte - jipops ----> Dyson Daniels, G League Ignite
16. Atlanta - JasonEvans ----> Malaki Branham, (the) Ohio State
17. Houston - roywhite ----> Tyty Washington, Kentucky
18. Chicago - CDu ----> Walker Kessler, Auburn
19. Minnesota - CameronBlue ----> E.J. Liddell, (the) Ohio State
20. San Antonio - Daddylawman ----> Tari Eason, LSU
21. Denver - KDogg ----> Jalen Williams, Santa Clara
22. Memphis - Truth&Justise ----> Blake Wesley, Notre Dame
23. Philadelphia - Gooch ----> Wendell Moore, Duke University
24. Milwaukee - tbyers11 ----> Christian Braun, Kansas
25. San Antonio - Daddylawman ----> Patrick Baldwin, Jr., Milwaukee
26. Dallas - DallasDevil ----> Jaden Hardy, G League Ignite
27. Miami - tommy ----> Kennedy Chandler, Tennessee
28. Golden State - theschwartz ----> Nikola Jovic, Serbia
29. Memphis - Truth&Justise ---> Kendall Brown, Baylor
30. Oklahoma City - accfanfrom1970 ---> Bryce McGowens, Nebraska

2nd Round:
31. Indiana - flyingdutchdevil --- Caleb Houston, Michigan
32. Orlando - coldriver10 ---> MarJon Beauchamp, G League Ignite
33. Toronto - Turk ----> Christian Koloko, Arizona
34. Oklahoma City - accfanfrom1970 ----> Trevor Keels, Duke University
35. Orlando - coldriver10 ----> Jaylin Williams, Arkansas
36. Portland - pfrduke ----> Dalen Terry, Arizona
37. Sacramento - Billy Dat ---> Lake LaRavia, Wake Forest
38. San Antonio - Daddylawman ----> Jean Montero, Overtime Elite
39. Cleveland - gam7 ----> Max Christie, Michigan St
40. Minnesota - CameronBlue ----> Jabari Walker, Colorado
41. New Orleans - brevity ----> Andrew Nembhard, Gonzaga
42. New York - johnb ----> Gabriele Procida, Fortitudo Bologna, Italy
43. LA Clippers - House P ----> Yannick Nzosa, DR Congo
44. Atlanta - JasonEvans ----> Jon Butler, Florida State
45. Charlotte - jipops ----> Justin Lewis, Marquette
46. Detroit - scottdude8 ----> Kofi Cockburn, Illinois
47. Memphis - Truth&Justise ----> David Roddy, Colorado St
48. Minnesota - CameronBlue ----> Ismael Kamagate, France
49. Sacramento - Billy Dat ----> Johnny Juzang, UCLA
50. Minnesota - CameronBlue ----> Keon Ellis, Alabama
51. Golden State - theschwartz ----> Josh Minott, Memphis
52. New Orleans - brevity ----> Hyunjung Lee, Davidson
53. Boston - Turk ----> Orlando Robinson, Fresno State
— Milwaukee (forfeited)
— Miami (forfeited)
54. Washington - powellhill1981 ----> Scotty Pippen, Jr., Vandy
55. Golden State - theschwartz ----> Ryan Rollins, Toledo
56. Cleveland - gam7 ----> Dominick Barlow, Overtime Elite
57. Portland - pfrduke ----> Michael Foster, Jr., G League Ignite
58. Indiana - flyingdutchdevil ----> Jordan Hall, St Joseph's

Coldriver10, you are up with the first pick!

[coldriver10]

Paolo Banchero, F, Duke

I know, I know. The DBR GM of the Magic is a Duke fan/alum so this is just a homer pick, right? Wrong! I really, truly think Banchero is the best fit for the Magic and is the most pro-ready of any of the potential top picks. The media thinks we'll select Jabari Smith because of his 3-point prowess and defensive capabilities. But what we need is someone who can create his own shot, makes everyone around him better, and isn't afraid to be the franchise star...and this describes Banchero to a T. His offensive potential is off the charts. There are question marks about each of the consensus top 3, but we feel if we can turn Paolo into an even average defender (and we believe we can), he will end up being the best player in the 2022 draft and a perennial all-star.

banchero.jpeg


**2002 draft?? I tried to edit it but couldn't since it's in the title. Oops!

[brevity]

**2002 draft?? I tried to edit it but couldn't since it's in the title. Oops!

Nice pick, but I think you're really missing out on Yao Ming's potential. (See avatar.)

Fun fact: the #1 overall pick of the 2001 NBA Draft, Kwame Brown, is the cousin of Jabari Smith Sr, whose son is universally considered one of the top 3 picks in this 2022 draft. I figure Junior will be okay, so long as Michael Jordan doesn't trade up to select him.

[accfanfrom1970]

Ok City takes Chet Holmgren/Gonzaga. More to follow when I’m fully awake.

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

Nice pick, but I think you're really missing out on Yao Ming's potential. (See avatar.)

Yer crazy. Jason Williams is can't miss talent.

[roywhite]

The Rockets finished 20-62 and face a serious rebuilding job. Jalen Green is an exciting, athletic young shooting guard who can be a star. There are some other decent young players like Kevin Porter, Jr. and Christian Wood, but the overall talent level needs improving.

Jabari Smith from Auburn is a 6'10" forward who can shoot -- 42% from 3-pt and nearly 80% FT. He needs additional physical development but also shows promise as a defender. He should get immediate playing time.

DBR Mock Draft GM roywhite picked the future 2022 Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes in the 2021 draft, and perhaps may go with another ROY (wordplay alert) in the choice of Jabari Smith.

[JasonEvans]

Ok City takes Chet Holmgren/Gonzaga. More to follow when I’m fully awake.

I am eager to see this explanation as I am both absolutely terrified of taking this guy and yet also really intrigued by what he could become. I dunno if I could do it as a GM unless I was pretty certain I had a ton of job security.

[flyingdutchdevil]

I am eager to see this explanation as I am both absolutely terrified of taking this guy and yet also really intrigued by what he could become. I dunno if I could do it as a GM unless I was pretty certain I had a ton of job security.

Tough to think of a player who is more high risk high reward. I would take him first. May cost me my job, but if he develops, he’s a consistent all star.

[accfanfrom1970]

Ok City takes Chet Holmgren/Gonzaga. More to follow when I’m fully awake.

"Holmgren was excellent during his freshman season at Gonzaga, but his status as a top-three lock in the draft is based partly on what analysts often describe as limitless potential. As SI.com’s Brett Siegel put it, “Standing 7-0 tall with a 7-6 unofficial wingspan, Holmgren is being classified as a high-level rim-protector that is more than capable of stretching the floor. Not many 7-footers can move well outside of the paint, but he’s the full package. His footwork and quickness is exceptional for his size and stature, making him very worthy of being the top pick in this year’s draft. Holmgren is an elite-level prospect that really does not have any long-term concerns.”

Ok City has had a hole at center throughout their rebuilding process. Chet fills it at both ends. Offensively he can work in high ball screens with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey, roll for lobs and fade to the three some (39% at Gonzaga).

On defense one of the Thunder’s biggest issues has been its weak defense on screens. Especially with a flat-footed center like Steven Adams. Chet Holmgren also helps with this. "Holmgren is one of the top pick-and-roll defenders in this class as his combination of speed and frame allows him to play up on screens and recover ground on his assignment." Everyone knows how slight he is, but he can contest shots around the rim flat-footed or recover for blocks on the move.

Potential, potential, potential - Ok City hopes he reaches it.

With another high pick at #12 the Thunder are willing to take the chance on Holmgren. He won't be under the bright lights like at a NY or LA and could develop with time...less pressure here.

[Billy Dat]

Hey guys - you caught me flat footed...I'll have my pick in by Noon.

[Kedsy]

"Holmgren was excellent during his freshman season at Gonzaga, but his status as a top-three lock in the draft is based partly on what analysts often describe as limitless potential. As SI.com’s Brett Siegel put it, “Standing 7-0 tall with a 7-6 unofficial wingspan, Holmgren is being classified as a high-level rim-protector that is more than capable of stretching the floor. Not many 7-footers can move well outside of the paint, but he’s the full package. His footwork and quickness is exceptional for his size and stature, making him very worthy of being the top pick in this year’s draft. Holmgren is an elite-level prospect that really does not have any long-term concerns.”

Ok City has had a hole at center throughout their rebuilding process. Chet fills it at both ends. Offensively he can work in high ball screens with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey, and fade to the three some (39% at Gonzaga).

On defense one of the Thunder’s biggest issues has been its weak defense on screens. Especially with a flat-footed center like Steven Adams. Chet Holmgren also helps with this. "Holmgren is one of the top pick-and-roll defenders in this class as his combination of speed and frame allows him to play up on screens and recover ground on his assignment." Everyone knows how slight he is, but he can contest shots around the rim flat-footed or recover for blocks on the move.

Potential, potential, potential - Ok City hopes he reaches it.

With another high pick at #12 the Thunder are willing to take the chance on Holmgren. He won't be under the bright lights like at a NY or LA and could develop with time...less pressure here.

Can you imagine Holmgren and Aleksej Pokusevski playing together?

[Billy Dat]

It's a thrill to have joined the Kings front office to try and have a positive impact on what we're trying...

"You do what I tell you to do, now, on 3 we are going to say 1..2..3...Nik rocks!"

OK, thanks Vivek. It is inspiring how passionate you are about your team and interested you are in the intricacies of the draft.

"That kid Halliburton wasn't going to blossom. We needed size and Sabonis can clean up anything that our two diminutive guards, Fox and Mitchell, can't handle...1...2...3...Nik rocks!"

Yessir, as I was saying, we have a lot of needs, a shooting guard, a great 3 and D wing (who doesn't need those), more bench depth.

"I want to make sure these kids have a good pedigree, I love those Duke and Kentucky guys, I see them all the time on ESPN, the NCAA tournament was great...1...2...3...Nik rocks!"

Yes, Vivek, I agree that great programs produce great players and its great when we see them on TV. But, you know, Halliburton was from a lesser known school and wasn't prominent in March madness but he was really good before we traded him and..."

"I want winners! We are building an incredible amount of excitiment here in the midwest of California...1...2...3...Nik rocks!"

Look, there's a ton of talent left on the board here, so with the #4 pick in the draft, we are going to select Jad...

"With the #4 pick, my team, the Sacremento Kings who play in the world famous Golden 1 center select Ochai Agbaji of Kansas, I saw him win the National Championship! On 3, get ready to say it...1...2...3...Ochai rocks!!!!!"

[scottdude8]

Jaden Ivey, guard, Purdue.

The Pistons are ecstatic that the Kings went a, dare we say, interesting direction with their pick. They are less ecstatic about the slandering of Michigan legend Nik Stauskas' name, but that's understandable

We got a bit screwed when we fell out of the Top 3, as any of Smith, Holmgrenn, or Banchero would've been a great inside-outside duo with last year's No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham. That said, the Pistons love what Isaiah Stewart brings to the table in the paint, even if he is more of a complimentary player that likely projects as more of a sixth man long-term. Marvin Bagley also seemed to recapture some of his mojo after being acquired at the deadline, and its likely the Pistons will use his status as a restricted free agent to sign him to a reasonable contract extension. There's also rumblings that the Pistons could go after DeAndre Ayton in free agency and/or try to bolster the front-line via a trade for Jerami Grant, who is one of the most valuable trade commodities on the market right now (there's some chatter the Pistons could make a deal with the Trailblazers centered around Grant and the No. 7 pick). Some analysts think the Pistons could target Keegan Murray here to bolster the front court, and they still could if Ivey is off the board, but with the the star trio of Smith/Holmgrenn/Banchero off the board, the need in the backcourt becomes more conspicuous.

So with the front line likely being addressed elsewhere, and Saddiq Bey looking like a high-quality 3-and-D specialist for the foreseeable future, the Pistons want to find a partner for Cunningham in the backcourt with this pick. We considered Ivey alongside Shaedon Sharpe in this position. If the Pistons were farther away from being back in the playoff conversation, I may have gone with the upside play here and Sharpe. However, despite a horrible record, the Pistons showed life down the stretch (4-6 in their last 10 games, against mostly good teams) and looked like a competitive team when Cunningham grabbed the reigns in that period. So who can help more immediately? Ivey.

Ivey isn't a knockdown shooter, but he's palatable, and likely can improve. But his speed and athleticism is something that just can't be taught. A Cunningham/Ivey backcourt would be deadly in transition, and Ivey's ability to create his own offense will take pressure off of Cunningham and likely create some open 3s for him (3 point shooting does project to be a strength for Cade). I also think Ivey projects as a plus defender with the right coaching and motivation given his immense athletic abilities, and with Cunningham also a potential plus defender this could be a nightmare defensive backcourt in a couple years.

A starting 5 next season of Cunningham, Ivey, Bey, Bagley, and a free agent/trade addition at the 5, along with Stewart and former Top 10 pick Killian Hayes off the bench, is a tremendous young core (all players younger than 23, I believe) that could sneak into the play-in tournament as soon as this year. Ivey is the ideal consolation prize after a disappointing lottery night, and as long as the Kings don't throw a wrench in those plans, I think this'll be the way the Pistons go.

[JasonEvans]

Turk is going to be GM of both Boston and Toronto. With that, our list of GMs is complete. Now, lets keep those picks coming!

[flyingdutchdevil]

Both Shaedon Sharpe and Keegan Murray!

Wait...commissioner Jason Evans told Indiana that isn't possible. Welp...now we gotta make a hard choice.

We love both players. Sharpe has great tools on offense and defense and the respected Jeff Goodman even said Sharpe is the most exciting prospect since Zion Williamson. I mean, that's a helluva statement. But he's unproven. He didn't play a lick of college. And apparently he didn't want to play when Coach Cal asked. Not a great sign.

Keegan Murray is a dynamic big who is a really good shooter. He's arguably better on offense than Jabari Smith, which is really exciting.

And Indiana needs a lot of players at a lot of positions. Somehow, we have Hield at the 3. Haliburton is arguably better suited for the 1, which makes Malcolm Brogdon tradable. We have a huge hole a the 4 given TJ Warren is out of a contract. And our 5 is a Turner, who we love. Soooo...we have holes at the 2, 3, and 4.

With the 6th pick in the draft, Indiana selects Keegan Murray. Higher floor, I know what I'm getting, and let's hope I can trade Brogdon/Hield/next year's 1st rounder to Portland for their pick this year.

[JasonEvans]

For those who lose track, I am updating the current picks in the first post in this thread.

1st Round:
1. Orlando - coldriver10 ----> Paolo Banchero, Duke
2. Oklahoma City - accfanfrom1970 ----> Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga
3. Houston - roywhite ----> Jabari Smith, Auburn
4. Sacramento - Billy Dat ----> Ochai Agbaji, Kansas
5. Detroit - scottdude8 ----> Jaden Ivey, Purdue
6. Indiana - flyingdutchdevil ---> Keegan Murray, Iowa
7. Portland - pfrduke
8. New Orleans - brevity
9. San Antonio - Daddylawman
10. Washington - powellhill1981

[pfrduke]

Both Shaedon Sharpe and Keegan Murray!

Wait...commissioner Jason Evans told Indiana that isn't possible. Welp...now we gotta make a hard choice.

We love both players. Sharpe has great tools on offense and defense and the respected Jeff Goodman even said Sharpe is the most exciting prospect since Zion Williamson. I mean, that's a helluva statement. But he's unproven. He didn't play a lick of college. And apparently he didn't want to play when Coach Cal asked. Not a great sign.

Keegan Murray is a dynamic big who is a really good shooter. He's arguably better on offense than Jabari Smith, which is really exciting.

And Indiana needs a lot of players at a lot of positions. Somehow, we have Hield at the 3. Haliburton is arguably better suited for the 1, which makes Malcolm Brogdon tradable. We have a huge hole a the 4 given TJ Warren is out of a contract. And our 5 is a Turner, who we love. Soooo...we have holes at the 2, 3, and 4.

With the 6th pick in the draft, Indiana selects Keegan Murray. Higher floor, I know what I'm getting, and let's hope I can trade Brogdon/Hield/next year's 1st rounder to Portland for their pick this year.

Quoting this mostly because Portland was going to take whichever of these two guys Indiana did not. There was a brief thought of Jalen Duren, since the Blazers roster is guard heavy, but let's be honest - other than Dame (and his looming theoretical threat of a trade demand) there's no one indispensable on the roster so we're drafting best available talent over fit. And there's a decent chance that not only is Shaedon Sharpe the best available talent left, he may end up being better than players drafted before him. There's also a decent chance he busts out of the league since no one has seen him in competitive action in forever, but Portland can play a little high-risk, high-reward.

So, 7th pick is Sharpe.

[JasonEvans]

Quoting this mostly because Portland was going to take whichever of these two guys Indiana did not. There was a brief thought of Jalen Duren, since the Blazers roster is guard heavy, but let's be honest - other than Dame (and his looming theoretical threat of a trade demand) there's no one indispensable on the roster so we're drafting best available talent over fit. And there's a decent chance that not only is Shaedon Sharpe the best available talent left, he may end up being better than players drafted before him. There's also a decent chance he busts out of the league since no one has seen him in competitive action in forever, but Portland can play a little high-risk, high-reward.

So, 7th pick is Sharpe.

I have no idea what Portland is thinking about Dame's future, but if they are planning to keep him, they need something more reliable than Sharpe.

Shaedon Sharpe is being drafted based on a couple weeks of lights-out play at the EYBL a year ago. Since then, he has not played any competitive basketball... none! And it is not like he was an elite, top 25 high school prospect before that EYBL session. He played his high school ball in Canada and not against elite competition. We saw a bit of him in the 2016 U16 FIBA Americas tournament where he was Canada's 3rd best player behind Caleb Houston and Ryan Nembhard. But, Sharpe was great at the EYBL and decided to shut it down until he could capitalize on the draft.

To be clear, I don't necessarily think he is going to be bad in the NBA, he certainly has the athleticism and has shown flashes of skills that would seem to have the makings of a very good NBA player, but we really don't know. I just think Portland cannot afford to take a leap like this when they must must must do something to keep Lillard engaged. Although, if they want to deal him, this might be the way to do it. Tear down and rebuild around Sharpe and other draft assets that you can get for Dame.

I think the team that should take Sharpe is OKC at #12 (they have so many youngsters and draft assets that they can afford to take fliers and if it does not work out, who cares?) but I get he likely won't last that long. I just think he is a huge, huge risk.

And I worry about the fact that he shut it down. It comes off to me like he was afraid of what scouts would see if he did play. I've heard some stuff that he wasn't exactly super eager to practice with the Kentucky team. If I was a GM, I'd be on the phone with Calipari and his assistants (especially Jai Lucas, who does not owe any allegiance to anyone connected to Kentucky any more) to ask them what Sharpe was like in practice. Was he dominating TyTy Washington and Kellan Grady in practice? If not, I'd take Bennedict Mathurin with this pick in a heartbeat.

[brevity]

So the #8 pick comes to New Orleans from the Los Angeles "Losing Time" Lakers, the latest positive return of the Anthony Davis trade. The Lakers finished last season 33-49, despite having on its roster 4 of the 11 active players on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. Maybe they needed 5?

Anyway, this is -- for now at least -- the highest pick in the draft that goes to a playoff team. The Pelicans played their way into the 8th seed slot by beating the Clippers and Spurs, before succumbing to top seed Phoenix in six games. And they did this without Zion Williamson, who is cleared to play next season. Are both parties committed long term? Zion said "of course", and Pelicans VP David Griffin said yesterday that extending Zion's contract is "an easy decision".

With that in mind, the 2022-2023 Pelicans should have three 20-plus point scorers: Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, and Zion Williamson. That's a lot of reliable, established offense for a team picking in the lottery. So the move here is to opt for a high-level defensive specialist. I'm told that wing players Bennedict Mathurin (Arizona) and Johnny Davis (Wisconsin) have two-way capabilities, and that AJ Griffin (Duke) is built to learn and handle defensive technique, but I'd rather take a player who's defensively ready now. The pick is Jeremy Sochan, the 19-year-old Polish forward from Baylor University.

Sochan is 6'9" and 230 pounds, with a 7-foot wingspan, who projects as a defender against all 5 positions. He should contribute immediately to a Pelicans team that ranked 19th in both unadjusted and adjusted team defense. As Big XII Sixth Man of the Year, he was a bit of a statistical darling, finishing in the conference's top ten for steal percentage, block percentage, rebound percentage, and overall defensive rating. He's also sharp on offense when he's needed, converting about 60 percent of his inside shots and hitting a decent 30 percent from outside.

DBR has been talking about Draymond Green in the NBA Playoffs thread, and I can't help but notice Sochan has some statistical similarities, back when Green was that age, even down to their RSCI ratings. It's striking. Also striking are Sochan's hair color choices, which probably should draw some comparisons to Dennis Rodman.

[Daddylawman]

With the 9th pick in the draft the San Antonio Spurs are elated to select Benedict Mathurin Guard from the University of Arizona. Mathurin is a 6'6" scorer who wil pair with Dejounte Murray to form one ofthe most dynamic young backcourts in the NBA. Mathurin has good length and the athletic ability to guard the 2 spot. His 3 point shooting is solid and will help spread the floor for Murray and for center Jakob Poeltl. Mathurin has a pro body and the ability to drive the lane. The Canadian turns 20 next week so he is likely to fill out his frame over the next couple of years. The Spurs still need depth on the wing and possible help up front, but with two more first round picks this talent is to great to pass up at this spot.