2022 NBA Mock Draft: Jaden Ivey to the Thunder?

The NBA Draft is scheduled for June 23rd, and the Orlando Magic have the first overall selection. We have read the scouting reports, sorted through the rumors, and compiled our own NBA mock draft for 2022.

The Orlando Magic are believed to be set on selecting Jabari Smith Jr. with the first overall pick, as indicated by the betting markets. Smith is a -450 favorite at DraftKings to hear his name called by Adam Silver when the Magic make their official selection.

The odds on Smith being taken as the first overall pick are no longer attractive, however I anticipate a major upset to occur with the second overall pick and the odds on this are very high.

Odds courtesy DraftKings and Caesars Sportsbook.

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Here is our 2022 NBA Mock Draft:

1. Orlando Magic: Jabari Smith Jr., F, Auburn

All indications are that the Magic will select Smith with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft. With a 42% shooting percentage from beyond the three-point line during his freshman year, Smith brings a skill that the Magic are much in need of.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jaden Ivey, SG, Purdue

In the event that the Magic draft Smith, I do not believe the Thunder will automatically select Chet Holmgren. This would not be the first time Sam Presti shocked everyone by selecting an athletic guard early in the draft. He did the same in 2008 when he drafted Russell Westbrook 4th overall. For those of you who share this opinion, you can find Ivey at +5000 via PointsBet to be the 2nd overall draft pick.

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3. Houston Rockets: Chet Holmgren, C, Gonzaga

With the third pick in the NBA Draft, the Rockets would be thrilled to land Holmgren. He will be given time to develop as Houston is nowhere near being ready to compete for a playoff spot. Holmgren also fills a much-needed hole on the roster. The Rockets gave up more points in the paint last year than any other NBA team, an area that Holmgren will immediately improve.

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4. Sacramento Kings: Paolo Banchero, PF, Duke

It would be a tremendous win for the Kings to select Banchero with the fourth pick in the draft. I expect the Kings to make this selection without delay. Banchero could play alongside Sabonis in the frontcourt and immediately move into the starting lineup.

5. Detroit Pistons: Shaedon Sharpe, SG, Kentucky

Ivey would be the perfect fit for the Pistons, but he won't get to No. 5. The Pistons should be aggressive and try to move up for Ivey, instead they settle for Sharpe. Sharpe is an unknown, having sat out the entire season at Kentucky, but the Pistons are looking for home runs, not singles.

6. Indiana Pacers: Keegan Murray, PF, Iowa

Murray is just the player the Pacers have been looking for to fill the frontcourt void and he is ready to contribute immediately. Last season, Murray recorded the second most efficient season in college basketball since 2009-2010. Only Zion Williamson had a higher player efficiency rating in that timeframe. 

7. Portland Trail Blazers: Mark Williams, C, Duke

Jusuf Nurkic will be difficult to retain in free agency, which is why the Trail Blazers chose to draft his successor here. Williams can contribute as a shot blocker and rim runner, and this allows the Trail Blazers to spend money on another position.

8. New Orleans Pelicans: Ochai Agbaji, SG, Kansas

I would not be surprised if the Pelicans traded this pick away because they do not really need it. Dyson Daniels and Benedict Mathurin are two options here but I think the Pelicans would rather go with Agbaji given his ability to fill a role as a three-point shooter.

9. San Antonio Spurs: Bennedict Mathurin, SG/SF, Arizona

Mathurin provides the Spurs with a second guard to pair with Dejounte Murray in the backcourt. Mathurin is one of my favorite prospects in this draft and I believe he will have a much greater impact in the NBA than he has been given credit for. It's not by chance that the Arizona Wildcats were picked to finish 4th in the Pac-12 and ended up as a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

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10. Washington Wizards: Dyson Daniels, PG/SG, G-League

Since Bradley Beal dominates the ball in the backcourt, the Wizards opt for a defensive presence in Daniels. Daniels could handle the ball to reduce pressure on Beal, and he could also defend a variety of positions from the guard position.

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11. New York Knicks: AJ Griffin, SF, Duke

The ability to shoot the three is one of the most coveted skills in the NBA, and Griffin exhibited this skill during his freshman year at Duke. Griffin shot 45.4% from three-point range, displaying a fluid shooting motion. Griffin may not be the ideal fit for the Knicks, but he is the best value at this position.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Ousmane Dieng, SF/PF, NZ Breakers

Between now and the NBA Draft in 2026, the Thunder will have 18 first round picks. Dieng's selection would allow the Thunder to keep him overseas, give him a chance to develop, and avoid using a roster spot for him. Based on the way the Thunder are building their team, they also have all the time in the world to wait for Dieng to develop.

13. Charlotte Hornets: Jalen Duren, C, Memphis

Williams would be a better fit for LaMelo Ball and the Hornets, but they will have to settle for Duren since Williams is selected much earlier by the Trail Blazers, at No. 7. The Hornets are in need of size for their frontcourt, and Duren would be a valuable addition with his solid mobility and 7'5" wingspan.

14. Cleveland Cavaliers: Malaki Branham, SG/SF, Ohio St.

The Cavaliers would benefit from having another scoring option on the wing and they don't need to look very far since Branham played his college basketball just down the road at Ohio State.

15. Charlotte Hornets: Jeremy Sochan, PF, Baylor

With this draft, the Hornets will address their frontcourt issues and improve their defensive capabilities. While Tari Eason is also an option, the Hornets choose Sochan, who is rapidly rising up draft boards.

16. Atlanta Hawks: Tari Eason, SF/PF, LSU

The Hawks' defense was abysmal last season, and they need someone who can disrupt a game defensively and guard multiple positions. Eason is an ideal fit for this team.

17. Houston Rockets: Jaden Hardy, SG, G-League

Taking a gamble on Hardy, the Rockets hope that he will be better than what he displayed in the G-League last year. Hardy was once considered a top recruit, but his stock has declined due to his poor shooting in the G-League.

18. Chicago Bulls: Johnny Davis, SG, Wisconsin

As Davis falls in the draft and the Bulls are uncertain whether Zach Lavine will return following free agency, they draft the Wooden Award finalist.

19. Minnesota Timberwolves: TyTy Washington Jr., PG, Kentucky

With D'Angelo Russell and Patrick Beverley scheduled to become free agents after next season, the Timberwolves are looking to the future and select the Kentucky point guard in the draft.

20. San Antonio Spurs: Nikola Jovic, PF, Serbia

The Spurs have one of the best international scouting departments in the NBA and will not hesitate to draft the Serbian forward.

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21. Denver Nuggets: Jalen Williams, SF, Santa Clara

Williams has a 7'2 wingspan, which will enable him to guard multiple positions in the NBA. The Nuggets would be able to utilize him as a dynamic role player off the bench.

22. Memphis Grizzlies: Caleb Houstan, SG/SF, Michigan

Houstan has the potential to be an excellent 3-and-D wing player, which is precisely the type of role player the Grizzlies need in their rotation.

23. Brooklyn Nets: Walker Kessler, C, Auburn

There will be a need for bench pieces for the Nets, especially in the frontcourt. Kessler possesses the ability to protect the rim as he averaged 4.6 blocks per game at Auburn last season.

24. Milwaukee Bucks: Max Christie, SG, Michigan State

There is always room for more three-point shooters on the NBA's elite teams, and Christie's jump shot is one of his best assets.

25. San Antonio Spurs: Andrew Nembhard, G, Gonzaga

As a backup point guard, Nembhard’s qualities and traits make him a player the Spurs would be very interested in adding to their roster. Following an impressive performance at the NBA Combine, Nembhard's stock is rising.

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26. Dallas Mavericks: Blake Wesley, SG, Notre Dame

As Jalen Brunson tests free agency, the Mavericks will need a guard who can create offense. Wesley has shown the ability to create his own shot and is an excellent isolation player.

27. Miami Heat: Kennedy Chandler, PG, Tennessee

Chandler is a lightning-fast point guard who can create offense for other players on the court. Chandler could be a potential candidate to eventually succeed Kyle Lowry as the Heat's starting point guard.

28. Golden State Warriors: Patrick Baldwin Jr., SF/PF, Wisconsin-MIlwaukee

A team with no real needs and a stable of young talent from previous drafts, the Warriors decide to take a chance on a prospect whose stock has dropped this season. Baldwin was the No. 5 overall prospect at ESPN coming out of high school, one spot above the first overall pick, Smith. He chose to attend Wisconsin-Milwaukee, his father's school, and poor shooting statistics and injuries cost him his chance at a high draft position.

29. Memphis Grizzlies: Jaylin Williams, PF/C, Arkansas

Williams is a smart all-around basketball player whose abilities will translate well to the NBA game's frantic pace. Williams would provide the Grizzlies with valuable minutes off the bench.

30. Oklahoma City Thunder: Leonard Miller, G, Canada

The Thunder are committed to giving their prospects time to develop and to building this team through the draft. Although Miller was deemed eligible for the draft, he remains a project that will not scare away the Thunder.

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