Welcome to The Chirp’s 2022 NBA Draft Preview! As with our NFL edition, we’ll be including a mock draft for Thursday’s showcase and it will be purely based on what we would do, not what we think will happen. Therefore, expect some discrepancies from our mock compared to the consensus ones circulating from the majority of sites. We’ll also be detailing some potential trade targets and tidbits that will lead into an eventual NBA Off-Season Preview, where we’ll dive into more detail on player/team fits and other summer moves.
The Chirp’s Top 60
| Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Jabari Smith | Forward | Auburn Tigers |
| 2. Paolo Banchero | Forward | Duke Blue Devils |
| 3. Dyson Daniels | Guard | G League Ignite |
| 4. Jaden Ivey | Guard | Purdue Boilermakers |
| 5. Chet Holmgren | Big | Gonzaga Bulldogs |
| 6. Keegan Murray | Forward | Iowa Hawkeyes |
| 7. TyTy Washington | Guard | Kentucky Wildcats |
| 8. Bennedict Mathurin | Guard | Arizona Wildcats |
| 9. Johnny Davis | Guard | Wisconsin Badgers |
| 10. Ochai Agbaji | Wing | Kansas Jayhawks |
| 11. Ousmane Dieng | Forward | NZ Breakers |
| 12. Shaedon Sharpe | Wing | Kentucky Wildcats |
| 13. A.J. Griffin | Wing | Duke Blue Devils |
| 14. E.J. Liddell | Forward | Ohio State Buckeyes |
| 15. Jeremy Sochan | Wing | Baylor Bears |
| 16. Malaki Branham | Guard | Ohio State Buckeyes |
| 17. Jake LaRavia | Forward | Wake Forest Demon Deacons |
| 18. Dalen Terry | Guard | Arizona Wildcats |
| 19. Nikola Jovic | Forward | Mega Mozzart |
| 20. Tari Eason | Forward | LSU Tigers |
| 21. Blake Wesley | Guard | Notre Dame Fighting Irish |
| 22. Jalen Williams | Wing | Santa Clara Broncs |
| 23. Jalen Duren | Big | Memphis Tigers |
| 24. Mark Williams | Big | Duke Blue Devils |
| 25. Kennedy Chandler | Guard | Tennessee Volunteers |
| 26. Jaylin Williams | Big | Arkansas Razorbacks |
| 27. Kendall Brown | Wing | Baylor Bears |
| 28. MarJon Beauchamp | Guard | G League Ignite |
| 29. Ismael Kamagate | Big | Paris |
| 30. Christian Braun | Wing | Kansas Jayhawks |
| 31. Vince Williams Jr. | Wing | VCU Rams |
| 32. Josh Minott | Wing | Memphis Tigers |
| 33. Khalifa Diop | Big | Gran Canaria |
| 34. Jaden Hardy | Guard | G League Ignite |
| 35. Scotty Pippen Jr. | Guard | Vanderbilt Commodores |
| 36. Trevor Keels | Guard | Duke Blue Devils |
| 37. Bryce McGowens | Guard | Nebraska Cornhuskers |
| 38. Andrew Nembhard | Guard | Gonzaga Bulldogs |
| 39. Ryan Rollins | Guard | Toledo Rockets |
| 40. Tevin Brown | Guard | Murray State Racers |
| 41. JD Davison | Guard | Alabama Crimson Tide |
| 42. Wendell Moore Jr. | Wing | Duke Blue Devils |
| 43. Keon Ellis | Wing | Alabama Crimson Tide |
| 44. Jacob Gilyard | Guard | Richmond Spiders |
| 45. Justin Lewis | Forward | Marquette Golden Eagles |
| 46. Trevion Williams | Big | Purdue Boilermakers |
| 47. Hugo Besson | Guard | NZ Breakers |
| 48. Christian Koloko | Big | Arizona Wildcats |
| 49. David Roddy | Forward | Colorado State Rams |
| 50. Yannick Nzosa | Big | Unicaja Malaga |
| 51. Jabari Walker | Forward | Colorado Buffaloes |
| 52. Walker Kessler | Big | Auburn Tigers |
| 53. Alondes Williams | Guard | Wake Forest Demon Deacons |
| 54. Max Christie | Wing | Michigan State Spartans |
| 55. Collin Gillespie | Guard | Villanova Wildcats |
| 56. Tyrese Martin | Wing | UConn Huskies |
| 57. Kenneth Lofton Jr. | Big | Louisiana Tech Bulldogs |
| 58. James Akinjo | Guard | Baylor Bears |
| 59. Patrick Baldwin Jr. | Wing | UW Milwaukee Panthers |
| 60. Caleb Houstan | Wing | Michigan Wolverines |
1. Orlando Magic: F-Jabari Smith (Auburn Tigers)
Analysis: The Orlando Magic are starting to get some back bones to their rebuild, as Franz Wagner and Cole Anthony have both flashed enough promise in the pros. While it feels unlikely that either becomes a franchise-level player, the Wagner/Anthony duo does provide good hope, especially alongside a young nucleus that includes Wendell Carter Jr., Jonathan Isaac, and Jalen Suggs as well. For years, the Magic have been missing perimeter shooting. While at #1, their priority should be best player available anyways, it just so happens Jabari Smith fits their main needs. Smith’s shaky handle and shot creation ability makes me wonder how much of a go-to scorer he can truly be, but he’s one of the best perimeter shooters in recent memory, and he’s 6’10. Smith’s defensive toughness, fluidity, and competitive fire, combined with his elite shot making ability, makes him a worthy selection to go #1 overall.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder: F-Paolo Banchero (Duke Blue Devils)
Analysis: Chet Holmgren is the betting favorite to go #2 and come Thursday, he likely will be the pick. Personally, I think Paolo Banchero is the slightly better selection. Halfcourt shot creation remains the most valuable NBA skill, particularly in the postseason, and it’s an area I anticipate Banchero being better than Holmgren in. Banchero is terrific from 16 feet and in, and his offensive game reminds me a bit of less athletic Blake Griffin. Banchero can score from all three levels, he’s an underrated passer, and a capable athlete. He needs to improve defensively, and he’ll never pop off the screen with his hops, but if he can become average on the defensive end, he’ll be a major asset. Banchero has legitimate 20+ PPG upside and has a high floor as well; the Thunder can afford to swing for the fences here, but even if that’s the case, I’d still opt for Banchero.
3. Houston Rockets: G-Dyson Daniels (G League Ignite)
Analysis: There seems to be a consensus top three in the draft of Smith, Banchero, and Chet Holmgren, in varying orders (but one that is commonly Smith/Holmgren/Banchero). However, I am all aboard the Dyson Daniels hype train and if I was Rafael Stone, he’d be my pick here. Daniels isn’t an explosive athlete, but he’s the quintessential jack-of-all trades player. Daniels is a tremendous passer, cutter, and one of, if not the best, perimeter defender in the class. Daniels not only possesses a safe baseline as a rotational wing, but if his 3-PT shot can hit around 35-36% of the time, he’d be an invaluable starter. Daniels has the full package of what the modern NBA has become: versatility, the ability to create with and without the ball, and being able to add two-way, positive impact. Combined with his high character and growth, Daniels is certainly a top-3 prospect for me. He’s my personal favorite in the class. I anticipate Houston to actually select Paolo Banchero here (assuming Holmgren goes #2) come Thursday.
4. Sacramento Kings: C-Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga Bulldogs)
Analysis: The Sacramento Kings are a potential trade spot, as the team seems intent on pushing chips forward in search of what’s become an elusive playoff berth. Personally, if I were Monte McNair, I’d urge patience, even if it’s difficult. I’d be intrigued in trading down and adding some extra assets for a team looking to snag Jaden Ivey, but with a “no trade” mock, I’m going with Holmgren here. While Holmgren is #5 on my board, it’s mainly due to my belief that centers are the least valuable position in the NBA. Holmgren has the potential to be a game-changing defender, perhaps in the mold of a Rudy Gobert. But I doubt whether he can anchor a half-court offense like Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic can. Sure, Holmgren is a terrific shooter and a fantastic finisher at the rim, two valuable skills, but I’m not sure that archetype is more valuable than the half-court shot making Smith/Banchero can provide, or the two-way versatility at a premium position like Dyson Daniels. In essence, having Holmgren at #5 on my board is more of an indicator that, when factoring in positional value and salary, I’d imagine Holmgren will be most valuable on his rookie deal, while his value will comparatively shrink when due a sizeable pay raise. The idea of a 3-PT shooting Rudy Gobert (as his ceiling) is way too fascinating to pass up, even if I have Jaden Ivey slightly ahead on my board. The gap between Ivey and Holmgren is close enough that, if I were Sacramento here, I’d opt for the cleaner team fit.
5. Detroit Pistons: G-Jaden Ivey (Purdue Boilermakers)
Analysis: Come draft night, this surely would be the dream scenario for the Detroit Pistons. I’m a huge believer that Cade Cunningham will blossom into a bonafide superstar and pairing him with the ultra-explosive Jaden Ivey would be an ideal match. Ivey’s skillset oozes potential: he’s got a lighting quick first step, can finish above the rim, and has a great package of layups and finesse as well. Ivey’s shooting is still a minor work in progress, but his speed and athleticism will allow him to thrive, even if the shooting hovers in the low 30% range. The shot creation that Ivey provides immediately makes him a valuable commodity in this class. I think John Wall is a fair comparison; I don’t think Ivey will turn into a superstar like Russell Westbrook or Ja Morant, but he’s got the full skillset to enter that star realm and become a max player. An Ivey/Cunningham backcourt would give nightmares to Eastern Conference foes for years. Truthfully, if I were the Pistons, I’d seriously explore trying to trade up to #4 on draft night if Ivey is still there. I’d hate if I missed him by a pick.
6. Indiana Pacers: F-Keegan Murray (Iowa Hawkeyes)
Analysis: The Indiana Pacers are a fascinating team to monitor headed into Thursday. The rumor mill is heavy on buzz that Malcolm Brogdon will be moved, a deal which would be dependent on the return for me. I’m a huge Brogdon fan and while I understand giving the keys to Tyrese Haliburton, Brogdon is a terrific off-ball, complementary option as well. If Brogdon netted another lottery pick, I think there’s a case to be made. Still, if I were Kevin Pritchard, I’d probably enter Thursday night with my main goal being turning Myles Turner into an extra first-round pick before Brogdon. However, at #6 and with the current board, Keegan Murray is the pick here. Murray is a three-level scorer who is also a standout defender. His half-court shot creation likely won’t be strong enough to be a star, but he does so many other things well, including shoot, pass, rebound, and defend (so, basically everything). Murray is one of the “safer” picks, he may not possess the upside of others, but he’ll win you a lot of games.
7. Portland Trail Blazers: G-Bennedict Mathurin (Arizona Wildcats)
Analysis: The Portland Trail Blazers are the most interesting team headed into the draft in my opinion. On the one hand, it seems nearly impossible they’d trade Damian Lillard, but on the other hand, it’s really tough to envision a scenario where the Trail Blazers can realistically compete for a title within the next 2-3 years. It’s easy for me to sit here and type this, but I’d strongly consider trading Lillard if I was in Portland’s front office; he’d net a treasure trove of draft picks and potential young talent and a rebuild can be expedited immediately, including a potential tank year for Victor Wembayana in the 2023 NBA Draft. With the current board falling in this manner, Bennedict Mathurin makes a lot of sense here. Mathurin has tremendous scoring ability from all three levels, particularly from beyond the arc. While more than a pure shooter, Mathurin’s range and knockdown ability will allow him to be an offensive threat even as he becomes a more polished passer and creator. Defensively, while not currently elite, Mathurin has the explosiveness and competitiveness to be an impact player. We’ve seen guard with Mathurin’s scoring ability become extremely valuable postseason performers; it makes him worthy of a top-10 pick.
NOTE: With Portland trading for Jerami Grant, and Chris Haynes reporting that the Blazers are in pursuit of OG Anunoby with the 7th pick, it’s clear that Portland won’t be trading Damian Lillard. Still, even with the Grant deal, Mathurin makes the most sense. If Toronto slots in here over Portland, I’d still mock Mathurin.
8. New Orleans Pelicans: G-Johnny Davis (Wisconsin Badgers)
Analysis: There have been some recent rumblings that the New Orleans Pelicans are a trade option here and ultimately, it makes sense. The Pels are still sitting on a ton of picks from the Jrue Holiday and Anthony Davis deals, plus they have a roster coming off a ton of momentum that culminated in a competitive first-round loss to the Phoenix Suns. Did we mention this all came without Zion Williamson playing a minute this year? There’s lots to be optimistic about in New Orleans and adding a top-10 talent is an intriguing concept. The Pelicans would surely love Mathurin, as their biggest need remains 3-PT shooting. But with Mathurin gone, I am a huge fan of Johnny Davis headed to the Big Easy. While not a great 3-PT shooter, Davis established himself as one of the best players in college basketball this season. A tough competitor, Davis thrives inside the arc and he’s a terrific finisher around the rim. Davis’ defense may be his most translatable skill, however, as he’s a fantastic athlete who can slide on the perimeter and is willing to take on top challenges. Davis will never be asked to carry an offense like he did at Wisconsin, but this past season showed a deeper offensive arsenal. Davis’ competitiveness is his greatest asset and his overall game impacts winning. He’d give the Pelicans some much-needed backcourt depth.
9. San Antonio Spurs: F-Ousmane Dieng (NZ Breakers)
Analysis: The San Antonio Spurs have four picks in the top-38 and are unlikely to use them all. #9, however, is one they’re very likely to use. While I do primarily abide by the “best player available” religion, the San Antonio Spurs are loaded in the backcourt, making it not the most feasible landing spot for my current top-ranked remaining player, TyTy Washington. Ousmane Dieng, however, makes a ton of sense. Dieng came on strong during his professional year in Australia, showing an advanced game that highlighted his fluid athleticism, impressive shot creation potential, and defensive intensity. Dieng really needs to round out as a complete offensive player; currently, he’s a poor shooter who doesn’t get to the line, but his surrounding skillset is extremely impressive for a player of his age. I trust the Spurs’ player development staff to build up Dieng’s offense, as they’ve done for guys like Kawhi Leonard and Dejounte Murray. Ideally, Dieng serves as their lynchpin in the frontcourt who could help usher in additional playmaking from a forward, a skillset that’s becoming more and more valuable in the modern NBA.
10. Washington Wizards: G-TyTy Washington (Kentucky Wildcats)
Analysis: I’d bet you won’t find another mock draft or site that is this bullish on TyTy Washington, but admittedly, I am a huge fan. In my opinion, Washington’s stock has fallen primarily due to unfortunate circumstances, namely his ankle injury that hobbled him for much of the latter half of his freshman campaign. When fully healthy, Washington was extremely impressive. While far from an explosive athlete, Washington uses his high basketball IQ and fundamentals to win. He’s one of the best “in between” players, as he’s terrific at navigating P&R and has a terrific mid-range game. Defensively, Washington competes hard, and while we watched small guards get picked on mercilessly in the postseason, Washington has solid size at 6’4 to hold up in the NBA. Washington needs to become a better 3-PT shooter, but his game is so fundamentally sound and well-developed for a freshman that I have a hard time believing he won’t stick in the NBA. He reminds me a lot of Jalen Brunson and I’d imagine if Washington would’ve stayed in school for a few seasons, he would’ve won a Player of the Year award. He’s not a flashy pick, but he’s got all the tools to be a high caliber, starting point guard in the NBA.
11. New York Knicks: Wing-Shaedon Sharpe (Kentucky Wildcats)
Analysis: In reality, Shaedon Sharpe likely won’t fall out of the top-10 on draft night. Still, the mystery of Sharpe seems to be giving some NBA teams pause, although reports are that his workout sessions have been tremendous. There’s no denying Sharpe’s gifted athleticism and talent; at the bare minimum, he seems to be a terrific shooter with plus athleticism, which is a skillset that many NBA teams struggle to get their hands on. For a team like the New York Knicks, he’s the perfect home run swing to go for. If his development goes perfectly, Bradley Beal is a reasonable comparison here. Sharpe’s scoring ability spans all three levels and he’s shown some flashes of being a solid distributor as well. New York lacks any high-end talent on their roster, and it appears their 2020-21 campaign was more fool’s gold than a sign of continued development. R.J. Barrett is a nice piece and Julius Randle is a good player too, even if he’s coming off a disappointing campaign (Randle is worse than his 2020-21 campaign but better than his 2021-22 campaign). But, New York’s current roster seems destined for years of mediocrity if they cannot find a superstar. Sharpe oozes upside and while I do weigh some of the external factors for him more heavily, this is a phenomenal team/player fit and a necessary chance for the Knicks to take.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Wing-Ochai Agbaji (Kansas Jayhawks)
Analysis: It’s reasonable to think the Oklahoma City Thunder should simply swing for upside here, considering their hoard of picks in the well. OKC is slowly accumulating enough talent, however, that they should start also seeing some progress. Ochai Agbaji doesn’t have the highest upside, but his game fits perfectly into the modern NBA. At his core, Agbaji is a 3-and-D wing, and a very good one at that. He was one of the best 3-PT shooters in college who happened to be the go-to guy for the school that won the National Championship. Agbaji is a terrific fit alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, and Paolo Banchero at #2. Those four, along with Lu Dort, Aleksej Pokusevski, Tre Mann, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl provide a good working foundation for the Thunder to progress with.
13. Charlotte Hornets: Big-Jalen Duren (Memphis Tigers)
Analysis: Yes, Charlotte selecting Jalen Duren here is a reach compared to my own rankings, but sometimes, the positional need outweighs the BPA. Like Holmgren, I’m much lower on Duren than the consensus primarily because of positional value. Centers who cannot create their own offense in the halfcourt simply don’t possess the value of other players. In my opinion, the ideal route for team building related to big men is to cycle in rookie-scale players and avoid allocating a substantial chunk of cap space to said options. While Holmgren has game-changing defensive potential and a terrific perimeter game already, Duren lacks that. Yes, he’s one of the youngest players in the draft and is a freak physical presence who puts tremendous pressure on the rim, but I don’t see that half-court shot creation. Still, a rim-running, two-way big who’ll thrive in Charlotte’s up-tempo style is a valuable piece. It’s just his value, from a value/contractual standpoint, will likely be maximized in his first four years. With two top-15 picks and a roster itching for the postseason, Charlotte can afford to opt for positional fit here.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers: Wing-A.J. Griffin (Duke Blue Devils)
Analysis: The Cleveland Cavaliers were one of the best surprises in the league this past season, finishing 8th in the Eastern Conference and coming a play-in loss short of finally getting back to the postseason. Cleveland has a great core of youngsters in tow: Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Darius Garland, and Caris LeVert is a fantastic group to build around. I think Cleveland is in a position to get aggressive here, possibly by dangling Collin Sexton (in a S&T that can be executed during FA) and/or pick #14 to either move up for a prospect such as Dyson Daniels, or to parlay into a wing, such as Harrison Barnes. Regardless, Cleveland needs more players within the 6’6-6’9 realm, as Isaac Okoro is primarily holding down the fort of defensive wings. A.J. Griffin isn’t a standout defender, but he’s one of the best shooters in the class with high upside. Griffin has battled injuries in the past that has sapped some of his athleticism, but he’s got two-way potential and, at minimum, should be a floor spacing threat who can create some offense as well.
15. Charlotte Hornets: Wing-Jeremy Sochan (Baylor Bears)
Analysis: With Jalen Duren already on the roster, Charlotte has options here. E.J. Liddell is tempting, but the Hornets already have a player with a similar roster fit in P.J. Washington. What they lack, however, is a defensive-minded wing–hence, Jeremy Sochan. Sochan has a lot of room to grow offensively, but his baseline skillset of defensive versatility, rebounding, overall competitiveness, and flashes of playmaking gives him a solid foundation to contribute to a playoff rotation. Sochan’s perimeter shooting will be a swing skill, but if he’s able to play as a small-ball center or even alongside a perimeter spacing big, he should thrive in short rolls or as a cutter off-ball, at minimum. Adding Sochan and Duren would give the Hornets two of the best defenders in the class. While there have been plenty of rumors that the Hornets are likely to trade one of these picks, I’d be fairly inclined to continue to add to the young nucleus around LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges here, rather than trying to either package a pick with Gordon Hayward’s contract for cap flexibility, or cash in on a trade asset like John Collins.
16. Atlanta Hawks: Guard-Malaki Branham (Ohio State Buckeyes)
Analysis: The Atlanta Hawks are one of my main teams to watch on Thursday. By all reports, it feels like it’s a matter of “when”, not “if”, John Collins will be traded, although we’ve heard rumors surrounding Collins for the past 24 months, it seems like. Based on reporting from Adrian Wojnarowski, Shams Charania, and others, it feels like the Hawks are angling towards a noticeable transformation, which makes sense considering their current roster is, in my opinion, one of the most overrated groups in the NBA. Therefore, it feels like it’ll be a moderate upset if Atlanta stands pat. As the current board falls, Malaki Branham makes a lot of sense here. Branham is a three-level scorer who is a terrific shooter–ironically, I think he has some Kevin Huerter in his game, albeit a better defender. Branham’s skillset should ideally play well alongside Trae Young and would give the Hawks additional flexibility to move either Huerter or Bogdan Bogdanovic in a roster makeover.
17. Houston Rockets: Forward-E.J. Liddell (Ohio State Buckeyes)
Analysis: With Dyson Daniels on board already, Houston should opt for BPA here. E.J. Liddell is my top guy remaining; after seeing the success of players like Grant Williams, P.J. Tucker, and Maxi Kleber in the postseason, it’s clear that having roster versatility in the frontcourt is essential. Liddell’s value is here. He won’t be a go-to scorer in the NBA, but he’s a capable 3-PT shooter who can score from inside the arc and take advantage of smaller defenders inside. Defensively, Liddell is a fantastic weakside rim protector who can handle himself on an island as well. Liddell is only 6’5/6’6, but he plays like a big. His versatility and ability to work in a small frontcourt should, in theory, give him similar value to a player like Grant Williams, who can defend at a high level and knock down threes, while also playing well above his height.
18. Chicago Bulls: Forward-Jake LaRavia (Wake Forest Demon Deacons)
Analysis: The Chicago Bulls have a top-heavy roster; their top five in particular is extremely strong, assuming Zach LaVine returns. What the Bulls are missing, however, is quality depth across the board. Jake LaRavia makes a lot of sense here; he’s a complete player who has a two-way skillset and can play inside and outside the arc. LaRavia is an underrated athlete as well who thrives without the ball
19. Minnesota Timberwolves: Forward-Tari Eason (LSU Tigers)
20. San Antonio Spurs: Guard-Dalen Terry (Arizona Wildcats)
21. Denver Nuggets: Wing-Jalen Williams (Santa Clara Broncos)
22. Memphis Grizzlies: Forward-Nikola Jovic (Mega Mozzart)
23. Philadelphia 76ers: Guard-Blake Wesley (Notre Dame Fighting Irish)
24. Milwaukee Bucks: Guard-Kennedy Chandler (Tennessee Volunteers)
25. San Antonio Spurs: Big-Mark Williams (Duke Blue Devils)
26. Houston Rockets: Wing-Kendall Brown (Baylor Bears)
27. Miami Heat: Big-Jaylin Williams (Arkansas Razorbacks)
28. Golden State Warriors: Big-Ismael Kamagate (Paris)
29. Memphis Grizzlies: Guard-Jaden Hardy (G League Ignite)
30. Denver Nuggets: Guard-MarJon Beauchamp (G League Ignite)
Round 2
31. Indiana Pacers: Guard-Bryce McGowens (Nebraska Cornhuskers)
32. Orlando Magic: Wing-Christian Braun (Kansas Jayhawks)
33. Toronto Raptors: Wing-Vince Williams Jr. (VCU Rams)
34. Oklahoma City Thunder: Big-Khalifa Diop (Gran Canaria)
35. Orlando Magic: Forward-Josh Minott (Memphis Tigers)
36. Portland Trail Blazers: Guard-Trevor Keels (Duke Blue Devils)
37. Sacramento Kings: Guard-Ryan Rollins (Toledo Rockets)
38. San Antonio Spurs: Guard-Tevin Brown (Murray State Racers)
39. Cleveland Cavaliers: Guard-Scotty Pippen Jr. (Vanderbilt Commodores)
40. Minnesota Timberwolves: Wing-Wendell Moore Jr. (Duke Blue Devils)
41. New Orleans Pelicans: Guard-Andrew Nembhard (Gonzaga Bulldogs)
42. New York Knicks: Guard-JD Davison (Alabama Crimson Tide)
43. Los Angeles Clippers: Guard-Keon Ellis (Alabama Crimson Tide)
44. Atlanta Hawks: Forward-Justin Lewis (Marquette Golden Eagles)
45. Charlotte Hornets: Guard-Jacob Gilyard (Richmond Spiders)
46. Detroit Pistons: Big-Walker Kessler (Auburn Tigers)
47. Memphis Grizzlies: Forward-David Roddy (Colorado State Rams)
48. Minnesota Timberwolves: Big-Christian Koloko (Arizona Wildcats)
49. Sacramento Kings: Guard-Hugo Besson (NZ Breakers)
50. Minnesota Timberwolves: Big-Trevion Williams (Purdue Boilermakers)
51. Golden State Warriors: Guard-Alondes Williams (Wake Forest Demon Deacons)
52. New Orleans Pelicans: Big-Yannick Nzosa (Unicaja Malaga)
53. Boston Celtics: Forward-Jabari Walker (Colorado Buffaloes)
54. Milwaukee Bucks: FORFEITED
55. Miami Heat: FORFEITED
56. Washington Wizards: Wing-Max Christie (Michigan State Spartans)
57. Golden State Warriors: Wing-Tyrese Martin (UConn Huskies)
58. Cleveland Cavaliers: Big-Kenneth Lofton Jr. (Louisiana Tech Bulldogs)
59. Portland Trail Blazers: Wing-Patrick Baldwin Jr. (UW Milwaukee Panthers)
60. Indiana Pacers: Guard-Collin Gillespie (Villanova Wildcats)
Potential Draft Day Trades
Malcolm Brogdon Heads to the Big Easy
Malcolm Brogdon is a hot name on the block and while New York and Washington have been the most mentioned suitors, what about New Orleans? The Pelicans currently lack a true point guard alongside C.J. McCollum and have plenty of trade ammo to get a deal done. Here, they part with their main 2021 free agent signing Devonte’ Graham, former first-round pick Jaxson Hayes, and drop 17 spots in the draft to acquire Brogdon, who would give the Pelicans a fearsome starting five (Brogdon, McCollum, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, Jonas Valanciunas). For Indiana, getting another top-10 pick is a major coup, even if it costs them #31. Graham is still young enough to fit their rebuilding window while Langford is a nice flyer on the wing. For the Spurs, dropping six spots in the draft to get some frontcourt athleticism is a worthy gamble. I think this makes sense for all parties involved and I love New Orleans’ fit for Brogdon. At #8, Indiana could try and package it with #6 to get into the top-4 for Jaden Ivey, or they could double up and hope for two of Keegan Murray/Bennedict Mathurin/Johnny Davis/Shaedon Sharpe.
John Collins Heads West
Yeah, let’s get wild. John Collins seems like a lock to get traded and I’m not sure why Memphis isn’t mentioned more as a landing spot. The Grizzlies halfcourt offense was prone to struggles last year and Collins immediately adds a legitimate 17+ PPG threat who would be a dangerous lob partner with Ja Morant. A Collins/Jaren Jackson Jr. frontcourt meshes well on both ends of the court too. Dillon Brooks is a fantastic defender, but his poor shot selection and inconsistent availability makes him a risky gamble on a long-term deal. Cashing in Brooks, Steven Adams, and one of their first-round picks for Collins is a tremendous coup. For Atlanta, Brooks gives them a legitimate defensive stopper alongside Trae Young, while Malik Beasley gives the Hawks additional bench firepower that further makes Bogdan Bogdanovic expendable. Steven Adams is a downgrade from both Collins and Clint Capela, but he’s a terrific screener who should free Trae Young for open shots while freeing up time for Onyeka Okongwu. A hidden benefit for Atlanta here as well is substantial cap savings as early as next summer, as they’ll shed both Collins and Capela’s cap hits that will total north of $40 million, while adding two more top-40 picks. For Minnesota, although I don’t get the Capela/Towns pairing, they’ve been hot on the rumor mill for a paint protector alongside Towns. Malik Beasley and #40 for Capela is good value; they’ll be stuck with Capela’s contract, but it’s unlikely they’ll have cap space anyways, so it’s good asset management.
The Wizards Get Their Veteran Point Guard
Let’s get even wilder here! The Utah Jazz swap Mike Conley for Malcolm Brogdon and Ish Smith in their first move to reshape their roster around Donovan Mitchell. Brogdon is younger, a better defender, and quite arguably the better overall player. However, his durability is a major question mark. Still, his defensive ability and positional size makes him a much better team fit alongside Donovan Mitchell than Mike Conley, making this worth the risk. For the Wizards, trading the 10th pick hurts, but the 10th pick plus primarily salary filler for Mike Conley is a worthy gamble. A lineup of Conley, Bradley Beal, Kyle Kuzma, Rui Hachimura, and Kristaps Porzingis is, if nothing else, super intriguing. This move likely makes the Wizards a playoff team and gives them some potential to keep Bradley Beal content in D.C., even if it costs a top-10 pick. Their roster, with this move, improves substantially in the near term. For Indiana, they get their wish in a top-10 pick for Brogdon and while the rest of the return is rather uninspiring, if Corey Kispert rediscovers his shooting stroke, he’d be extremely fun to watch in Rick Carlisle’s offensive system.
A Few Other Things I’m Watching
Do the Oklahoma City Thunder Get Aggressive?
Although we have Paolo Banchero mocked to OKC in the “what we think teams should do” mock, all odds point to Chet Holmgren being the pick. Rumors are swirling that OKC is looking to trade up for either Shaedon Sharpe or Jaden Ivey afterwards and it’ll be interesting to see if that materializes. The Thunder have more future picks than feasible roster spots available in the coming years and soon, they’ll be forced to offload those picks. I’d recommend keeping that flexibility another year, as the 2023 draft class looks incredibly promising. But it’ll be interesting to see if Sam Presti starts pressing the gas a bit more after the Thunder found some very good pieces last year with Josh Giddey, Tre Mann, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. Walking away with Holmgren and Ivey/Sharpe, to go along with the existing core (and likely a lot of picks still remaining) is quite enticing.
Can the New York Knicks Dump Cap Space?
It feels like the NBA’s worst kept secret right now is the New York Knicks’ fascination with Dallas Mavericks’ guard Jalen Brunson. New York currently has no cap space to sign Brunson outright, but the rumor mill from Woj, Shams, Jake Fischer, Marc Stein, and more indicate that the Knicks are aiming to dump salary to free space for a run at Brunson. Brunson’s former agent and dear family friend, Leon Rose, runs New York’s front office while JB’s dad Rick was just hired as an assistant coach. The dots are clearly connected, but how feasible is it.
On the one hand, the Knicks do have ways to move salary particularly because they have players across salary thresholds. But it’s tough to find many avenues where they ship out salary and take minimal money back. Perhaps the Orlando Magic serve as a landing spot for some of those salaries, but surely they’d request New York’s #11 overall selection in return. I don’t think the Magic will, for example, simply absorb Alec Burks and Kemba Walker free of charge. Perhaps New York can dangle the future selections they own from both Dallas and/or Charlotte, but eventually, the Knicks will reach a stage of trading away assets + dumping quality rotational players for a *shot* to poach Jalen Brunson away from a team that can pay him significantly more. There’s plenty of logic to why Brunson fits with the Knicks, but at the same time, it’s hard to envision it realistically occurring, especially with equally strong news from the Mavericks camp that Brunson is likely to re-sign. It’ll be fascinating to see how aggressive New York gets in either clearing salary, or trading outright for a separate veteran point guard (such as Malcolm Brogdon).
How About the Utah Jazz?
The last time we saw the Utah Jazz, Bojan Bogdanovic missed a wide-open three that would’ve sent their series against the Dallas Mavericks to seven games. Now, it feels like the inevitable breakup of Utah’s core is here, especially with Quin Snyder stepping down. Yet, the rumor mill around the Jazz has been surprisingly quiet. Perhaps Danny Ainge and Co. are waiting to hire their new coach before embarking on trades, but regardless, it’s evident the Jazz simply cannot run back the same unit. There have been murmurs surrounding Donovan Mitchell’s discontent with Utah for the past two years, but they’ve yet to come close to reaching a fever pitch. In fact, I think it’s fair to chalk most of it up to the “big market buzz” of a team like the Knicks landing a star. But, work needs to be done with the Jazz; it’s a matter of when, not if.
The NBA Draft does feel like a good place to start the deals, and I have to wonder on the availability of Mike Conley, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Royce O’Neale entering Thursday. Our one fake trade had Conley headed to Washington, a move I think makes sense for the Wizards. If the Jazz can turn Conley into a bigger backcourt mate, such as Malcolm Brogdon, that alone is a positive move, especially considering Brogdon’s two-way ability. Conley could also make sense for the Knicks, a deal that would likely require a third team to absorb some of New York’s salary and picks, while shipping out a player to Utah.
Bogdanovic is the particularly interesting name here, as he’s one of the best shooters in the NBA, but also a terrific scorer. When watching the Jazz, their lack of perimeter defense is extremely apparent (and perhaps, an overcorrection of their postseason performance a few seasons back when they shot horribly from 3-PT range, largely missing wide-open shots), and Bogdanovic is a big reason why. Bogdanovic isn’t awful on ball, but he’s a poor rotator and with a defense that necessitates rotations after Gobert comes over to wall off drives, his flaw is further exacerbated, especially around similarly flawed defenders. I think if the Jazz truly want to reform their roster while keeping both Mitchell and Gobert (which seems preferable), Bogdanovic is an easy option to go, along with Conley. I’d bet Bogdanovic would have a hot market as well, as nearly any team could use a scorer of his magnitude. I’m not sure what the 76ers’ motivation is with the Tobias Harris rumors, but could a deal of Bogdanovic, Royce O’Neale, and Udoka Azubuike (for salary filler) work for Tobias Harris? The 76ers would break Harris’ large contract into two, along with earlier cost savings due to Bojan’s expiring deal, while the Jazz get the superior player and better fit alongside Mitchell and Gobert. It’s an intriguing proposition for both teams and a deal that’d likely get expanded, but those are the moves I’d be eyeing if I were the Jazz. I could envision Bogdanovic fitting nearly everywhere, making him a hot commodity.
What About the Kyrie Irving/Brooklyn Noise?
Last topic, but the NBA is never drama-free and the recent Kyrie Irving dump from Shams Charania’s “Inside Pass” on The Athletic was quite intriguing. Now, other reports indicate that nobody truly thinks Kyrie Irving is going to leave Brooklyn for a mid-level with the Lakers, but Kyrie is truly unpredictable. I doubt it also–after all, Kyrie is from Brooklyn and by all accounts, loves playing with Kevin Durant. But his tenure with the Nets has been extremely rocky and Brooklyn has rightfully given pause to paying him a long-term max contract. Personally, I think this is much ado about nothing and is somewhat of a media ruse to drum up Lakers’ interest, but Kyrie Irving stunning the world could have landscape-changing consequences. Adrian Wojnarowski said Kevin Durant would likely request out if Irving left, a move that would change the entire NBA landscape.
Overall, my prediction as of now is still that Kyrie returns to Brooklyn on a shorter max deal (maybe 2-3 years). As for the Los Angeles Lakers, the one Russell Westbrook trade partner I haven’t heard is the New York Knicks. If the Knicks miss on Jalen Brunson and Malcolm Brogdon, it’s hard to envision a scenario where a Westbrook deal doesn’t make sense for them, especially considering it would likely rid them of Julius Randle’s long-term deal. Randle, Kemba Walker, and Alec Burks for Westbrook works on paper, would save New York about $35M in cap space next summer and allow them to quickly overhaul their roster away from the current mediocre group they have. If I’m Leon Rose and I can deal Randle while clearing that space in a year (plus, for as much criticism as Russ gets, he’s still a well above average player whose fit with the Lakers is a nightmare), sign me up.
The Chirp 