NBA 2022 Mock Draft 3.0
By Jim James
Here we go again. As we are now in the same year as the 2022 Draft, with players such as Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero and Jabari Smith Jr coming into the league, and we’re due for one of these, so let’s give it a crack. The 3rd edition of the 2022 NBA Mock Draft.
1. Chet Holmgren
Growth Since 2.0: 0 (#1 -> #1)
Ceiling: Dirk Nowitzki/Hall of Fame
Floor: Serge Ibaka/Starter
I know he’s 2nd in literally every mock draft, but I’m sticking to my guns in saying that Chet should go #1. He’s a unicorn of a player, a 7 foot center slash small forward. He does need to gain a little muscle but in today’s NBA I like to think of it in this rhyme; It’s a secondary thought if he has a good shot. And a good shot Chet has. He’s going to go first. Mark my words.
2. Jabari Smith Jr.
Growth Since 2.0: +1 (#3 -> #2)
Ceiling: KAT/All NBA
Floor: Ayo Dosunmu/Bench
I really did not see this coming. However, JSJ is #1 on both drafts, but you simply cannot pass up on Chet. However, I can see why they have him that high. A good shot, good dribbling moves, good strength. He’s also led Auburn to a 4 ranking this year from the 20s before.
3. Paolo Banchero
Growth Since 2.0: -1 (#2 -> #3)
Ceiling: Charles Barkley/All-NBA
Floor: Tristan Thompson/Starter
He could as easily go 3rd as 2nd as 1st. However, I wasn’t expecting him to drop, especially as he was considered consensus 1st when we did 2.0. He seems like a sleeper pick in this draft, he’s a points and rebounds monster, already has considerable muscle and seems like a very NBA ready prospect. If you select him you won’t regret it.
4. Jaden Ivey
Growth Since 2.0: +5 (#9 -> #4)
Ceiling: Clyde Drexler/All-NBA
Floor: Jodie Meeks/G-League
As last year was the year of the Jalen, this year is the year of the Jaden. Jaden Ivey, for a person who’s been in all 3 of our mock drafts may have made the most growth. He started 13th, went to #9 in November and is now 4th. However, he seems like the boom-or-bust player. The Evan Mobley of the draft. I say that because it usually takes motivation for him to get any success, and if he stays motivated, he will become an all-star at least, however if he couldn’t care less, if he doesn’t put in the extra effort ahead of his teammates, he’ll fail and be a role player.
#5: Benedict Matthurin
Growth Since 2.0: +16 (#21 -> #5)
Ceiling: Prime Victor Oladipo/All Star
Floor: Bogdan Bogdanovic/Starter
Yes! The Canadian goes upwards! Matthurin is a solid athletic shooting guard who has a good 3-pointer. However, he isn’t a sharpshooter type. That does matter in today’s NBA, but although I doubt he will be winning any 3 point contests in his career, he should be able to hold his own in this league. A solid prospect.
#6: TyTy Washington
Growth Since 2.0: +2 (#8 -> #6)
Ceiling: Ray Allen/All-NBA
Floor: JJ Redick/Bench
I had nothing but praise for TyTy last time, and I’m not changing my stance today. He’s a blazing player with a deadly shot that, if he continues on this path, could develop into a forever remembered one. Very much a sleeper.
#7: Jaden Hardy
Growth Since 2.0: -3 (#4 -> #7)
Ceiling: Prime Kemba Walker/All-Star
Floor: Jimmer Fredette/Bench
I’m putting Hardy this low because he’s in the G-League, and like Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga before him, he WILL drop. However, it is yet to be seen how he will do for the G-League Ignite Squad this year with the season just starting. A good volume scorer with a fluid shot but needs development in most other attributes.
#8: Nikola Jovic
Growth Since 2.0: -3 (#5 -> #8)
Ceiling: Rudy Gobert/All Star
Floor: Walter Tavares/Out of the League
Could be good, could be bad. We just don’t know enough about Jovic to make a good prediction. However, we do know that Jovic is a compelling Point Foward, he can score from inside out, is a great passer and a solid defender. However, because he plays in Europe, he will fall in the draft order.
#9: Patrick Baldwin Jr.
Growth Since 2.0: -2 (#7 -> #9)
Ceiling: OKC Paul George/All Star
Floor: Rodney Hood/Bench
Patrick Baldwin Jr. was supposed to be the #1 pick a few years ago, and he may still be a lottery pick, but nowhere near the top pick. He’s a Small Forward but plays more like a Power Forward, with an inside game. He can bully players in his position at 6’10” but he doesn’t have too much of a game outside the paint, and really needs to improve there.
#10: Jalen Duren
Growth since 2.0: -4 (#6 -> #10)
Ceiling: Nikola Jokic/All-NBA
Floor: Cristiano Felicio/Bench
Again, I’m calling him the boom-or-bust prospect of the draft. He’s an old-school player with a polished under the rim skillset and great physicality. However, he’ll really need to improve the skillset in order to compete in this new league.
#11: MarJon Beauchamp
Growth since 2.0: +16 (#27 -> #11)
Ceiling: D’Angelo Russell/Above Average Starter
Floor: Shamorie Ponds/G-League
He’s a good scorer on the perimeter and can score from anywhere within 30 feet. He could end up being a starter or even integral part of a contender at his ceiling.
#12: Keegan Murray
Growth since 2.0: New (Unranked -> #12)
Ceiling: Kristaps Porzingis/Above Average Starter
Floor: Taj Gibson/Bench
He seems like a pick that is safe, but not an All-Star. However, he could prove a great piece with an above average 3-pointer for a Power Forward and versatility on the Defensive end, despite being over half a foot shorter than his ceiling counterpart.
#13: Kendall Brown
Growth Since 2.0: New (Unranked -> #13)
Ceiling: Jonathan Isaac/Starter
Floor: Luka Samanic/Bench
Could be good, but probably won’t. Despite having a great muscling out his fellow collegiate athletes, it may not and likely will not translate to the NBA immediately. He’s definitely a project.
#14: Max Christie
Growth since 2.0: -1 (#13 -> #14)
Ceiling: Raptors DeMar DeRozan/All-Star
Floor: Jordan Clarkson/Bench
A talented and smooth Guard with a knack for the basket, the biggest flaw in Max Christie’s game is his structure. He’s 170 lbs, and needs to gain some muscle to have any chance of becoming good in this league.
#15: Johnny Davis
Growth since 2.0: New (Unranked -> #15)
#16: Blake Wesley
Growth since 2.0: New (Unranked -> #16)
#17: Adrian Griffin Jr.
Growth since 2.0: +0 (#17 -> #17)
#18: Ousmane Dieng
Growth since 2.0: -7 (#11 -> #18)
#19: Dyson Daniels
Growth since 2.0: New (Unranked -> #19)
#20: Caleb Houstan
Growth since 2.0: -10 (#10 -> #20)
#21: Trevor Keels
Growth since 2.0: -9 (#12 -> #21)
#22: Bryce McGowens
Growth since 2.0: -3 (#19 -> #22)
#23: Drew Timme
Growth since 2.0: -5 (#18 -> #23)
#24: Yannick Nsoza
Growth since 2.0: -8 (#16 -> #24)
#25: Ibou Dianko Badji
Growth since 2.0: -11 (#14 -> #25)
#26: Julian Strawther
Growth since 2.0: +4 (#30 -> #26)
#27: Moussa Diabate
Growth since 2.0: New (Unranked -> #27)
#28: Taevion Kinsey
Growth since 2.0: New (Unranked -> #28)
#29: Matthew Cleveland
Growth since 2.0: New (Unranked -> #29)
#30: Harrison Ingram
Growth since 2.0: New (Unranked -> #30)
There it is, the long awaited 3.0. See you soon, and sorry for the hiatus, I had been posting consistently for almost 20 days, and needed a break. I’m back now though! Until next time.