With the 2022 NBA Draft less than a week away, our Senior NBA Draft Analyst Matt Babcock has updated his mock draft. Who is your favorite team projected to pick? Find out below:
1. Orlando Magic
Jabari Smith Jr.
6-10 | 220 | Auburn | Forward
At 6-foot-10, Jabari Smith has the size and shooting stroke to be an impactful stretch-four at the NBA level. Additional physical strength will propel his development, but his athleticism, shooting and defensive abilities make him a high-level prospect. In addition, considering the value of floor spacing in today's game, Smith has become perhaps the hottest commodity in the 2022 NBA Draft.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
Chet Holmgren
7-0 | 195 | Gonzaga | Forward/Center
At 7-feet tall with a 7-foot-6 wingspan, Chet Holmgren is a playmaker on both ends of the floor. He is comfortable with the ball in his hands, and he is a reliable shooter who can score on all levels. On the defensive end, Holmgren greatly affects the game as a rim protector. He will need to add weight to maximize his potential as he is rail-thin, but he is one of the most unique prospects we've ever seen nonetheless.
3. Houston Rockets
Paolo Banchero
6-10 | 250 | Duke | Forward
At 6-foot-10 and 250 pounds, Paolo Banchero is incredibly versatile. He excels in the post, can create off the dribble, and continues to improve as a face-up shooter from deep. He lacks elite athleticism on the defensive end but has flashed a great feel and discipline to counter that. Players with his build and skill set don't come around very often.
4. Sacramento Kings
Jaden Ivey
6-4 | 195 | Purdue | Guard
Jaden Ivey shot career-highs across the board this season and propelled himself into being one of the most sought-after prospects in the entire draft. He is a phenomenal athlete, alpha dog and promising on-ball defender who has flashed elite potential in numerous facets of the game. In addition, his offense took a giant leap this past season, as he's shown the ability to create space for himself, score on multiple levels and attack the rim at an elite level. Ivey has a chance to become a star player.
5. Detroit Pistons
Keegan Murray
6-8 | 225 | Iowa | Forward
At 6-foot-8 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, Keegan Murray has a high motor, does a lot of the "little things" that contribute to winning, and he's a terrific defender. Despite shooting an inefficient 29.6% from deep during his freshman season, he shot 39.8% this past season and scored an impressive 23.5 points per game. In addition, his ability to attack close-outs and score from multiple levels allowed him to carry a more significant offensive load. As a result, Murray was a candidate for National Player of the Year and has become one of the highest-rated prospects in the 2022 NBA Draft.
6. Indiana Pacers
Bennedict Mathurin
6-5 | 204 | Arizona | Guard/Forward
After a strong freshman campaign for the Arizona Wildcats, Bennedict Mathurin made a jump in his second year in Tucson. Mathurin's size, athleticism, defense and shot-making ability make him an intriguing NBA prospect. Standing at 6-foot-5 and 204 pounds, he is an explosive athlete and capable slasher and finisher. This past season, Mathurin solidified himself as one of the best wings in the 2022 NBA Draft.
7. Portland Trail Blazers
Dyson Daniels
6-7 | 195 | G League Ignite | Guard/Forward
After being at the NBA Global Academy in Canberra, Australia, Dyson Daniels had a terrific season for the G League Ignite. The 6-foot-7 positionless swiss army knife excels at getting downhill and attacking the basket, relying on his athleticism and body control for finishing while occasionally employing a floater. Daniels' outside shooting is still a work in progress, but he is a disruptive defender with quick feet and instincts. Daniel's progression as a playmaker was also notable during the G-League season. He seems to have a bright future ahead of him.
8. New Orleans Pelicans
Shaedon Sharpe
6-5 | 198 | Kentucky | Guard/Forward
Shaedon Sharpe is one of the most talented players in the class. He is a tremendous athlete with positional size and a skill set that should allow him to excel at the NBA level. In addition, Sharpe has NBA range and can create his shot on all levels. Although he did not play at Kentucky this past season, making the sample size to evaluate him limited, his talent and upside are undeniable.
9. San Antonio Spurs
Jeremy Sochan
6-9 | 230 | Baylor | Forward
Jeremy Sochan is an energetic, athletic forward with positional size, standing 6-foot-9. He has a tremendous motor and excels as a versatile defender and rebounder due to his footwork and length. Sochan has shown flashes of self-creation but primarily scored off of cuts at the rim and catch-and-shoot threes this past season. He will only be 19 years old on draft day, but he is already showing why he has big-time potential at the NBA level. Sochan's combination of size, athleticism, instincts and skill is unique.
10. Washington Wizards
Johnny Davis
6-5 | 196 | Wisconsin | Guard/Forward
At 6-foot-5, Johnny Davis has positional size and was one of the most reliable scorers in all of college basketball this past season. Davis can take his defender to the rim, is comfortable operating in the mid-range and has shown consistency from deep. He isn’t flashy but is incredibly effective and decisive, which resulted in a significant jump in his free throw rate. His combination of physicality and quick decision-making brings good versatility to his game.
11. New York Knicks
AJ Griffin
6-6 | 222 | Duke | Guard/Forward
AJ Griffin is 6-foot-6 and possesses a 7-foot wingspan. He is a powerful and versatile wing with a tremendous physical profile and a solid skill set. Griffin has also shown the ability to create for both himself and others. After missing some time early last season due to injury, Griffin solidified himself as one of the best shooters in the country at 44.7% from deep. It's also worth noting that Griffin is the son of former NBA player and current Toronto Raptors assistant coach Adrian Griffin.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder
Mark Williams
7-2 | 242 | Duke | Center
Mark Williams is one of the best shot blockers and interior finishers in the 2022 NBA Draft. Utilizing his size, length and inside presence, Williams showed flashes of dominance on both ends this past season. He gradually moved up boards the entire season and has become one of the most sought-after big men in the draft.
13. Charlotte Hornets
Jalen Duren
6-11 | 250 | Memphis | Center
After reclassifying to the high school class of 2021, Jalen Duren is one of the youngest players in the 2022 NBA Draft at just 18 years old on draft day. Although young, Duren showed he could dominate the interior at a high level by utilizing his strength and physicality. Standing at 6-foot-11, weighing in at a chiseled 250 pounds, and possessing a 7-foot-5 wingspan, Duren impacts the game as both a play-finisher and rim protector.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers
Ousmane Dieng
6-9 | 185 | New Zealand Breakers | Guard/Forward
Ousmane Dieng has excellent positional size, length, and mobility. He is a versatile playmaker on the offensive end and a tremendous live-dribble passer who is also effective as a three-level scorer. Dieng’s shot-making from inside and out, excellent vision and impactful yet inconsistent defense, had him high on our draft board all year. He's perhaps a bit of a project; however, Dieng has a chance to become an outstanding NBA player.
15. Charlotte Hornets
Malaki Branham
6-5 | 194 | Ohio State | Guard/Forward
After a slow start to the season, Malaki Branham burst onto the scene in conference play this past season at Ohio State. At 6-foot-5, Branham plays with patience and is a smooth, three-level scorer. He is comfortable operating in the pick-and-roll and from mid-range, and has shown promise as a spot-up shooter. Branham is full of potential, as I don't think he's even hit full stride as a scoring threat yet.
16. Atlanta Hawks
Ochai Agbaji
6-5 | 216 | Kansas | Guard/Forward
Ochai Agbaji is a versatile wing with promise as a defender, slasher and shooter. Early in his career at Kansas, Agbaji was known for his athleticism and defense. However, this season, he emerged as one of the best shooters in all of college basketball, shooting 40.7% from three-point range. He also made significant leaps as a scorer in both volume and efficiency. As a result, Agbaji solidified himself as a viable 3-and-D prospect at the NBA level and one of the best wings in the 2022 NBA Draft.
17. Houston Rockets
TyTy Washington
6-3 | 196 | Kentucky | Guard
Although he played primarily off the ball this past season at Kentucky, TyTy Washington still set the tone for his team and provided value as both a facilitator and scorer. Even when pushing the pace, Washington plays under control and seldom makes poor decisions leading to turnovers. He is only 6-foot-3 and lacks elite athleticism, but he routinely gets his shot off from deep with smooth mechanics and a quick release. Washington has the potential to become the best floor general to be selected in the 2022 NBA Draft.
18. Chicago Bulls
Tari Eason
6-8 | 217 | LSU | Forward
After transferring from Cincinnati, Tari Eason had a breakout season in Baton Rouge for LSU this past season. He has positional size and length and plays with a great motor on both ends of the floor. While Eason is improving as a shooter, he excels at putting the ball on the deck and attacking the rim. In addition, Eason is a switchable defender and an all-around playmaker.
19. Minnesota Timberwolves
EJ Liddell
6-7 | 243 | Ohio State | Forward
Although a bit undersized, the Ohio State Buckeyes often used EJ Liddell as a 4/5 in their lineups. Liddell provides physicality and versatility on both ends of the floor, scoring inside and out. He appears more comfortable in the mid-range and paint, which worked well for his college system but will likely force him to adjust his game slightly at the next level. Regardless, Liddell filled up the box score this past season and played with great effort and toughness. He is certainly capable of contributing to winning.
20. San Antonio Spurs
Nikola Jović
6-10 | 222 | Mega Basket | Forward
Nikola Jović just turned 19 years old, two weeks before the 2022 NBA Draft, so he is young but skilled and full of promise. At 6-foot-10, Jović excels as a playmaker and scorer. He is comfortable as a ball-handler and is a functional passer. Jović lacks elite explosiveness and can be a bit streaky as a shooter from deep; however, his confidence and skill set make him an intriguing long-term prospect.