2022 NBA Mock Draft
This mock draft has me scratching my head. I'm seriously wondering if they even watch games.
ESPN has posted their first NBA mock draft for next year. Of course, they're picking the Pistons to get the first choice (Chet Holmgren). This is great for (some) UM players and not so great for one in particular. Key selections include: Caleb at #19 to the Bulls, Moussa at 37 and EJ Liddell at #27 to the Cavs, Jaden Ivey to Houston at #4, Keegan Murray at #12 to the Hawks, Johnny Davis to the 76ers at #14, Zach Edy to the TWolves at #45, Trayce Jackson-Davis at #54 to the Pacers, and Trevion Williams to the Warriors with pick #58.
Missing from the list is Hunter Dickenson.
1. Detroit Pistons
Chet Holmgren | Gonzaga | PF | Age: 19.6
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
Paolo Banchero | Duke | PF/C | Age: 19.1
3. Orlando Magic
Jabari Smith | Auburn | PF/C | Age: 18.6
4. Houston Rockets
Jaden Ivey | Purdue | PG/SG | Age: 19.8
5. New Orleans Pelicans
Jalen Duren | Memphis | C | Age: 18.0
6. New York Knicks
Jaden Hardy | G League Ignite | SG | Age: 19.4
7. San Antonio Spurs
Trevor Keels | Duke | PG/SG | Age: 18.3
8. Sacramento Kings
Patrick Baldwin Jr., | Milwaukee | SF/PF | Age: 19.0
9. Washington Wizards
Jean Montero | Overtime Elite | PG/SG | Age: 18.4
10. Portland Trail Blazers
TyTy Washington Jr., | Kentucky | PG/SG | Age: 20.0
11. Memphis Grizzlies (from Lakers)
Bennedict Mathurin | Arizona | SF | Age: 19.5
12. Atlanta Hawks
Keegan Murray | Iowa | PF | Age: 21.3
13. Toronto Raptors
JD Davison | Alabama | PG | Age: 19.2
14. Philadelphia 76ers
Johnny Davis | Wisconsin | SG | Age: 19.8
15. Indiana Pacers
MarJon Beauchamp | G League Ignite | SG/SF | Age: 20.1
16. Minnesota Timberwolves
Kendall Brown | Baylor | SF | Age: 18.6
17. Dallas Mavericks
Dyson Daniels | G League Ignite | PG/SG | Age: 18.7
18. Boston Celtics
Ousmane Dieng | NZ Breakers | SF/PF | Age: 18.5
19. Chicago Bulls
Caleb Houstan | Michigan | SF | Age: 18.9
20. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Clippers)
Mark Williams | Duke | C | Age: 20.0
21. Memphis Grizzlies
Kennedy Chandler | Tennessee | PG | Age: 19.2
22. Charlotte Hornets
Ochai Agbaji | Kansas | SF | Age: 21.6
23. Denver Nuggets
Bryce McGowens | Nebraska | SG | Age: 19.1
24. Milwaukee Bucks
Hugo Besson | NZ Breakers | PG/SG | Age: 20.6
25. Houston Rockets (from Brooklyn)
Wendell Moore Jr., | Duke | SF | Age: 20.2
26. Miami Heat
Peyton Watson | UCLA | SF | Age: 19.2
27. Cleveland Cavaliers
E.J. Liddell | Ohio State | PF | Age: 21.0
28. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Phoenix)
Nikola Jovic | Mega Mozzart | SF | Age: 18.5
29. Memphis Grizzlies (from Utah)
Yannick Nzosa | Unicaja Malaga | C | Age: 18.0
30. Golden State Warriors
Christian Koloko | Arizona | PF | Age: 21.4
31. San Antonio Spurs (from Detroit)
Khalifa Diop | Gran Canaria | C | Age: 19.9
32. Oklahoma City Thunder
Ismael Kamagate | Paris | C | Age: 20.9
33. Orlando Magic
Allen Flanigan | Auburn | SF | Age: 20.6
34. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Houston)
Christian Braun | Kansas | SG | Age: 20.6
35. New Orleans Pelicans
Justin Lewis | Marquette | SF/PF | Age: 19.6
36. New York Knicks
Daimion Collins | Kentucky | PF/C | Age: 19.1
37. Cleveland Cavaliers (from San Antonio)
Moussa Diabate | Michigan | PF/C | Age: 19.9
38. Sacramento Kings
Michael Foster | G League Ignite | PF | Age: 18.9
39. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Cleveland via Washington)
Jeremy Sochan | Baylor | PF | Age: 18.5
40. Portland Trail Blazers
Harrison Ingram | Stanford | SF | Age: 19.0
41. San Antonio Spurs (from Lakers)
Gabriele Procida | Fortitudo Bologna | SG | Age: 19.5
42. Atlanta Hawks
Roko Prkacin | Cibona Zagreb | PF | Age: 19.0
43. Golden State Warriors (from Toronto)
Andrew Nembhard | Gonzaga | PG | Age: 21.9
44. Orlando Magic (from Indiana)
Jaime Jaquez Jr., | UCLA | SG | Age: 20.8
45. Minnesota Timberwolves
Zach Edey | Purdue | C | Age: 19.6
46. Dallas Mavericks
Tari Eason | LSU | SF/PF Age: 20.6
47. Boston Celtics
Tristan Vukcevic | Real Madrid | PF | Age: 18.7
48. Sacramento Kings (from Chicago)
Keon Ellis | Alabama | SG/SF | Age: 21.9
49. LA Clippers
Drew Timme | Gonzaga | PF/C | Age: 21.2
50. Memphis Grizzlies
Johnny Juzang | UCLA | SF | Age: 20.7
51. Charlotte Hornets
Julian Champagnie | St. John's | SF/PF | Age: 20.4
52. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Denver)
Matteo Spagnolo | Cremona | PG | Age: 18.9
53. Detroit Pistons (from Brooklyn)
Walker Kessler | Auburn | C | Age: 20.4
54. Indiana Pacers (from Miami)
Trayce Jackson-Davis | Indiana | PF/C | Age: 21.8
55. New Orleans Pelicans (from Cleveland)
Boogie Ellis | USC | PG/SG | Age: 21.0
56. Phoenix Suns
Dominick Barlow | Overtime Elite | PF/C | Age: 18.5
57. New Orleans Pelicans (from Utah)
Orlando Robinson | Fresno State | C | Age: 21.4
58. Golden State Warriors
Trevion Williams | Purdue | C | Age: 21.2
December 22nd, 2021 at 2:36 PM ^
Forgot the LINK
December 22nd, 2021 at 2:41 PM ^
Not that surprising. It’s been pretty well noted that HD’s game doesn’t translate very well to the NBA game despite being great for college basketball.
December 22nd, 2021 at 2:45 PM ^
I haven't looked at his numbers, but it feels like his productivity is down this year. HD may already be near his ceiling.
December 22nd, 2021 at 2:48 PM ^
No, he’s putting up better numbers across the board so far this year. He has four double doubles in a row also.
It isn’t an issue of production. It’s just that his style of play doesn’t translate to the NBA and he doesn’t have the athleticism to defend on the perimeter against the shooting bigs that are so prevalent in the NBA.
December 22nd, 2021 at 3:01 PM ^
Yep. See also:
49. LA Clippers
Drew Timme | Gonzaga | PF/C | Age: 21.2
and the lack of Kofi Cockburn, etc.
December 22nd, 2021 at 3:12 PM ^
Luka Garza is another one. National Player of the Year to a 52nd overall pick. Cassius Winston was a two time All-American and went 53rd. Some players are great collegiate players and their games just don’t translate into the NBA.
December 22nd, 2021 at 2:49 PM ^
His numbers are actually up in all key stats except FT%, which has dropped significantly. Perhaps his 3pt shooting practice messed with his FT stroke.
December 22nd, 2021 at 3:11 PM ^
No, it's up, thanks. Probably good TO look before. . . just. . . idly posting? Just how translatable his skill are is absolutely open to question, but he now has--to date--a three-point shot and can go to his right, the moves scouts specified he needed to develop. A certain lack of athleticism, possibly better masked last year, has been exposed in him so far this year, maybe because the team's fortunes seem to strongly reside in him. But mad props to him, he's a wonderful player, and he'll keep growing.
December 22nd, 2021 at 3:23 PM ^
Eh, I wouldn’t say he has a three point shot. He’s 5/15 from three in 11 games. He’s not a liability from three but it’s hard to say it’s part of his game in any meaningful way.
The fact that he’s essentially a pure post player with limited athleticism hurts his value and makes it unlikely a team uses a pick on him before the mid-late 2nd round. He’ll sign a contract and get a chance, but there’s just not enough upside in his game for the NBA to really be interested.
He truly is a phenomenal college player but it’s pretty easy to see pros taking advantage of him defensively and the fact that he won’t be nearly as dominant offensively against pro bigs.
December 22nd, 2021 at 3:18 PM ^
His numbers are actually up, but it definitely feels like overall productivity is down across the team. Really think it comes down to our losses from the guard and wing spots though. Smith/Wagner/Brown/Livers was a massive loss and the glut of guys replacing them have flashed at times, but are also clearly not at their level. Still, Hunter has actually been playing well in spite of these changes, improving with his right hand and showing a feel for shooting. The offense as a whole has looked tepid but he's the least of the issues.
I think it's just the NBA doesn't really value his skillset. He's never going to be an athletic switchable marvel, hasn't shown out as a consistent stretch guy and doesn't exactly have the pace to rim run all the time. His bread and butter is finesse post play and it's tough to justify dedicating possessions to that, particularly as the level of competition takes a massive step up when Kofi Cockburn becomes the floor for bigs, rather than a college standout. I think he'll get a shot in the NBA regardless, he's a step up from Teske, who is carving out a G-League career, but it's tough to justify picking a player who doesn't fit the current NBA mold, no matter how good.
December 22nd, 2021 at 5:42 PM ^
If Mitch McGary couldn’t stay in the league there is no way Hunter will.
December 22nd, 2021 at 8:38 PM ^
I don't know if Dickinson's game can translate to the pros or not, but that's an apples/oranges comparison. McGary was a completely different player and had some off-court issues.
December 22nd, 2021 at 5:55 PM ^
Hunter has to be the most overrated player in Michigan basketball history.
December 22nd, 2021 at 6:16 PM ^
I’m assuming this is sarcasm? If not, how so?
December 22nd, 2021 at 7:32 PM ^
How do you figure? He’s an all-American caliber player that is a matchup nightmare for 95% of centers in college. Averaging 15.6 on 60% shooting (64% from two) and has 9 rebounds per game and 2 assists per game to go along with it.
December 22nd, 2021 at 8:06 PM ^
Do you understand how the NBA Draft works? It's not a ranking of the best college players.
December 22nd, 2021 at 2:42 PM ^
Was initially going to note that the author missed Emoni Bates, but then I went ahead and Googled. I didn't realize he's not (unless he petitions for an exemption) eligible until the 2023 draft because he won't be 19 years of age in 2022.
December 22nd, 2021 at 7:02 PM ^
He has been terrible. Some of the Memphis fan base has turned on him - selfish, bad outside shot - winging it as if he is Steph Curry etc
December 22nd, 2021 at 2:42 PM ^
Some of these are a bit premature - I'm not sure if guys like Jalen Duren and Baldwin have quite shown the ability you quite expect of top-5 guys - but Dickinson's game doesn't translate fantastically to modern NBA and his limitations were always going to keep him outside the lottery. I do think he'll get drafted; he's a better all-around player this year than last if his outside shot continues to fall.
December 22nd, 2021 at 3:11 PM ^
Duren looked like a top one guy against Alabama.
December 22nd, 2021 at 2:47 PM ^
Where can I put money on Liddell not being a first round pick? Has no position in the NBA and really doesn’t even have one in college
December 22nd, 2021 at 3:04 PM ^
You'll give yourself a headache trying to figure out how to predict who is going to get drafted in the NBA. Potential, athleticism, age, position, shooting optional, etc.
My general takes:
- Kofi and Hunter are pretty much screwed, even though there is usually a guy a lot like them on almost every NBA team.
- Houstan has dropped from the top ten for the first time and his arrow is pointing down. Hopefully he tears up the B10 for us and has a difficult decision.
- Diabate is the opposite of Hunter. No one knows what he can actually do yet....but he's athletic in a way the NBA covets. Hunter is very good at some things but isn't so he's out.
- I don't get Trevion at all. He's Hunter but shorter and a worse defender.
December 22nd, 2021 at 4:21 PM ^
I think Houstan rise back up draft boards. He's been better as of late on both ends of the floor and I don't think mock drafts have quite caught up to how he's been playing as of late
December 22nd, 2021 at 7:44 PM ^
+1. Defense has improved (still not great) and his shot is starting to fall. In his last 5 games he’s shooting 11/21 (.523) from three. Obviously he’s not going to maintain that pace but there’s no reason he can’t shoot in the 42%-45% range by seasons end (shooting 36.5% right now after a really slow start).
You get a 6’8” guy shooting 42-45% from three and even average defense and you’re looking at a guy someone takes a chance on with a lottery pick.
December 22nd, 2021 at 3:05 PM ^
Personally I favor Banchero for my Pistons.
First, I worry about the longevity of Holmgren (the same concern I had for Zion Williamson when he was drafted though for opposite reasons). Holmgren has tooth pick legs which at his height will constantly put too much strain on them as he plays 100s of pro games (Zion on the other hand, has tree-trunk legs but nobody could take the strain of stopping his 330 pounds with the force, height, and speed of his game.
Second, I think Banchero is a better fit as him and Grant would make a sensational forward combination with Bey being the shooter coming off the bench.
December 22nd, 2021 at 3:20 PM ^
I was just about to post something similar. I know Holmgren is solid now and has sky high potential but in my book, Banchero is a clear choice over Holmgren. Banchero is IMO a much better player right now and I am not sure his ceiling is even that much lower than Holmgren. Holmgren is many, many years from being able to adequately guard NBA 4s. Just my opinion.
Also, I think Duren could be underrated at 5.
December 22nd, 2021 at 8:46 PM ^
Disagree with Banchero being better than Chet.
Chet can do wayyy more on the floor to impact a game. Better shot blocker (perhaps the best I've seen since Mutombo,no joke), better handle, better passer, just as good of a shooter (factual, from both 2 point range and 3 point range). He doesn't have a position, which is a good thing in the NBA.
In addition, there are already character issues out on Banchero with the whole attempted DWI cover up with Coach K's son.
December 22nd, 2021 at 3:09 PM ^
Hunter is only effective against small, not too athletic centers. NBA is NOT for him.
Caleb is definitely not ready. He may never be. He has shown nothing to think otherwise.
Moussa needs more experience. Reminds me of a young Kevin Garnett. Needs a few years.
December 22nd, 2021 at 3:17 PM ^
So the question is who of our three potential early entries goes? I feel like Hunter was said to be going no matter what, which is a shame if he doesn’t get drafted. The two freshmen are not ready to go but I really think they might anyway. It could be the difference between being a great team next year and being a below average team if all three leave.
December 22nd, 2021 at 3:23 PM ^
If Moussa is predicted as a 2nd round guy, I cannot imagine he would go. That said, he could easily play himself into the 1st round this year b/c the athleticism is there.
I cannot imagine Houstan would really be drafted that highly right now but if he was, he should go because I don't think he can improve his stock much beyond that. I like him as a player but that projection seems high to me.
December 22nd, 2021 at 5:33 PM ^
With NIL, Hunter might be able to make more money in college than in the NBA. That should at least give him something to think about.
December 22nd, 2021 at 3:27 PM ^
Johnny Juzang at 50. He might have made a bad decision last year. Some were projecting him as a lottery pick I believe.
December 22nd, 2021 at 5:54 PM ^
Came here to post the same thing. I kept scrolling down the list looking for Juzang thinking they must have missed him...Nope, he was there at #50.
I saw some late mock drafts last year written by reliable scouts putting him anywhere between a lottery pick or late 1st rounder.
Yikes.
December 22nd, 2021 at 3:32 PM ^
Hunters numbers might be up from last year, but they have barely played anyone. He has looked outmatched at times which almost never happened last year. Comparing numbers to last year when they played 20 B1G games or so isn’t apples to apples.
I think he spent way too much time on his 3 and not enough on footwork and ball skills. NBA talk got into his head too much.
December 22nd, 2021 at 5:45 PM ^
Focusing on the 3 ball was absolutely the right move. He’s never going to have the athleticism to be a strong defender at the nba level. His only shot it to be such an elite offensive player and mismatch it keeps him in the league as a backup despite mediocre defense. And the only way to get there is for him to have a 3 pt shot
December 22nd, 2021 at 3:41 PM ^
I mean this in no way as a bashing of Hunter but I think it is mostly his defense that I don’t like. At his size, you would think he would be a factor at the rim, but he is not. He doesn’t seem to be a defensive presence at all. But I’m not a basketball analyst, this is just my take after watching a few games.
December 22nd, 2021 at 3:54 PM ^
Hunter Dickinson is not a great fit in the NBA
December 22nd, 2021 at 3:58 PM ^
This MD list isn't even close to how it will end up.
December 22nd, 2021 at 4:18 PM ^
Hottest of takes
December 22nd, 2021 at 4:13 PM ^
With NIL money available now, I think players like Dickinson, TJD, Timme, Cockburn, etc. will stay in college longer now and not go pro at the first opportunity.
December 22nd, 2021 at 4:18 PM ^
I would bet Houstan rises back up on draft boards. He's been playing better recently and I think people who aren't paying attention still think he's playing how he was at the beginning of the season
December 22nd, 2021 at 5:37 PM ^
Possibly but I would pick Moussa higher than Houstan right now.
December 22nd, 2021 at 5:02 PM ^
I sure hope the Pistons don’t take Chet Holmgren. I don’t see that playing out well at all.
December 22nd, 2021 at 7:33 PM ^
Interesting take - don't like Chet's NBA potential, or don't like his fit with the existing team (which I would call "Cade Cunningham and a buncha tradeable pieces")?
December 22nd, 2021 at 5:42 PM ^
Dickinson is a man without a place in todays nba
December 22nd, 2021 at 5:58 PM ^
Then stay at Michigan for 2 more years on NIL money and go play 20 years overseas.
December 22nd, 2021 at 5:51 PM ^
I’d rather them be on the 23 draft boards as opposed to the 22
December 22nd, 2021 at 5:55 PM ^
As a Pistons fan, give me Banchero with that #1 pick. All day every day.
December 22nd, 2021 at 5:58 PM ^
Dickinson added a 3 which may get him drafted.
Prove he can use his right and be even remotely effective when switching in a pick and role situation and he'll be a first round pick.
But if he doesn't do any of those, yeah, undrafted isn't completely out of the question.
December 22nd, 2021 at 7:48 PM ^
He’s attempted 15 threes in 11 games, only hitting 5. That’s not enough to change his draft stock.