The Way-Too-Early 2022 NBA Mock Draft

September 29^th, 2021

There is still a long way to go between now and the 2022 NBA Draft, and it’s uncertain if the highly touted newcomers will transition well to college basketball or to the level they’ll play at this year.

In observing the board though, I wanted to see what would be a good, logical 2022 mock draft if I were to make these picks as of today.

Here is what I have come up with. Also, we went to Pro Sports Transactions to try to create this.

The Way-Too-Early, 2022 NBA Mock Draft (as of 9/29/21, 1^st Round Only)

Orlando Magic – Chet Holmgren, F-C, Gonzaga

Chet Holmgren is a very skilled, agile big man that does a lot of things well on the court. He is a 7-0 point forward that can knock down outside shots, and he is also a very good defender that does an outstanding job of blocking shots. Holmgren is a uniquely talented big man that could be a franchise player for Orlando.

He’ll need to get stronger and trust his jump shot more, but he is a great prospect, and he would be paired with his former high school teammate, Jalen Suggs, so there would immediately be instant rapport and chemistry for the Magic in the future.

2. Houston Rockets – Paolo Banchero, F, Duke

Paolo Banchero is a strong, physical big man that has a strong low post scorer, and he also passes the ball well. He also can shoot it a little from the outside. He’ll need to improve his defense, but he is a very good offensive player that could put up big numbers at the NBA level.

3. Detroit Pistons – Jaden Hardy, G, NBA G-League (USA)

Hardy is an explosive combo guard that can really score the basketball. He is a very good shooter that can really pour on points, and he’s also a very good defender. He’s a bit in between guard positions, as he’s more of an undersized two-guard, but he is a gifted player that has All-Star potential.

4. Oklahoma City Thunder – J.D. Davison, G, Alabama

Davison is a very athletic, electrifying playmaking point guard that does a great job of attacking the hoop to score, and he also is a rangy defender. He may need to show teams that he can reliably run the point, but he is an exciting playmaker that could be one of the best in this draft.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers – Jabari Smith, F, Auburn

Smith is a very athletic big man that has solid scoring skills, and he can make shots from anywhere on the court. He’ll need to improve his court vision and add strength, but his ability to make shots and defend could enable him to be a very good player in the NBA.

6. Sacramento Kings – A.J. Griffin, F, Duke

He is a very athletic combo forward that has solid scoring and defensive skills. He is a high upside player that has a wide array of skills, and while he’ll need to be a more consistent shooter in games, he could be a solid player in the association.

7. San Antonio Spurs – Jalen Duren, C, Memphis

Durne is a very athletic, physical big man that could project to be a very good rim protector in the association. He excels at finishing plays in the paint, and he is also a very good rebounder and shot blocker. He may have limited perimeter skills, but he is a very good interior player that could make a sizable impact in the NBA.

8. Minnesota Timberwolves – Caleb Houstan, F, Michigan

Houstan is a tall, athletic forward that is a good shooter and defender on the court. He doesn’t always assert himself on offense, but he is a skilled, versatile player that tends to make sound plays on both ends of the floor.

9. Charlotte Hornets – Patrick Baldwin Jr., G-F, Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Baldwin is a very athletic, skilled forward that shoots the ball well, and he has the potential to excel on the defensive end. He’ll need to improve his defense, but his versatility and skill set could enable him to be a very good player in the NBA.

10. Toronto Raptors – Peyton Watson, G-F, UCLA

Watson is a tall, skilled playmaker that can play a lot of different positions, and he also can comfortably play the point. He is a good facilitator that also has solid defensive potential. He’ll need to be a more consistent shooter, but he could be a solid player in this league.

11. Indiana Pacers – Michael Foster, F-C, NBA G-League (USA)

Foster is a strong, physical big man that can stuff the stat sheet, and he is a versatile, fill-in-the-blanks player. He is a very good defender, and he also is a solid playmaker. He doesn’t always assert himself on offense, but he is a solid all-around player that can contribute right away.

12. Portland Trail Blazers – Kendall Brown, F, Baylor

He is a very athletic combo forward that has a great motor, and he is a strong, rangy defender that can guard multiple positions. He is a high IQ basketball player that has a knack for making sound basketball plays. He’ll need to improve his outside shot, but his athleticism, versatility, and smarts could make him a very good pick at this spot.

13. New Orleans Pelicans – Roko Prkacin, F, KK Cibona (Croatia)

He is an athletic, skilled forward whose versatility could make him an asset to the Pelicans. He is a skilled scorer that thrives at scoring off the dribble, and he also can shoot it a little. He is a solid playmaker, especially for his size, and he has the potential to guard multiple positions. He’ll need to be a more consistent player in games, but his ability to play all three frontcourt positions combined with his skill set would make him a good pick in the mid to late first round range.

14. Washington Wizards – Yannick Nzosa, F-C, Unicaja Malaga (Spain)

Nzosa is a very athletic big man that has very good defensive skills. He is a gifted rim runner that can finish plays above the rim, and he is also a great rebounder and shot blocker. He’ll need to improve his perimeter skills and he is also very skinny, but he is an intriguing prospect that could thrive as the defensive anchor for this team.

15. Memphis Grizzlies – Terrence Shannon Jr., G-F, Texas Tech

Shannon is a very athletic forward that shoots and defends well. He doesn’t take enough outside shots, but he’s shown that he can knock down shots in big games. He’ll need to improve his playmaking skills, but he has what it takes to thrive in a 3 and D role at the next level.

16. Chicago Bulls – Daimion Collins, F, Kentucky

Collins is a very athletic big man that excels as a rebounder and shot blocker on the court. He may be rather unpolished on offense, as he’ll need to improve his jump shot and passing skills, but he is a high upside prospect that could excel as an energetic, rim protector in the NBA.

17. Boston Celtics – Jaden Ivey, G, Purdue

Ivey is a tremendously athletic, slashing combo guard that has the mentality and disposition to be a lockdown defender at the NBA level. He’ll really need to improve his jump shot, but he is a high upside player that possesses intriguing scoring and defensive skills combined with having outstanding athleticism.

18. Golden State Warriors – TyTy Washington, G, Kentucky

He is an agile, skilled playmaker that can score and deftly run the team. He is a solid offensive player that can set the table. He’ll still need to improve his three-point shot, but he could be a good pick for Golden State at this spot.

19. Memphis Grizzlies (via LAL) – Kennedy Chandler, G, Tennessee

He is a very athletic, speedy point guard that has a great deal of upside. He’s a good shooter that also defends well, but he can sometimes play too out of control, which can lead him to be turnover prone. At this spot in the draft, it could be a very good pick for Memphis here.

20. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC) – Bennedict Mathurin, G-F, Arizona

Mathurin is a very athletic swingman that shoots the ball very well, and he is also a good rebounder for his size. He’ll need to work on his playmaking and defensive skills, but he could be a solid fit for Oklahoma City’s team here at this spot.

21. Houston Rockets (via MIA) – Marcus Bagley, F, Arizona State

Bagley is a very athletic swingman that can shoot and score the basketball. He’ll need to improve his playmaking and defensive skills, but he could be a solid pick for Houston here.

22. New York Knicks – Jaime Jaquez Jr., G-F, UCLA

Jaquez is a tough, physical swingman that shoots and defends well on the court. He is not an elite athlete, but he plays with a great motor, and he is a smart, skilled player that would be a solid pick up here at this spot.

23. Denver Nuggets – Jean Montero, G, Overtime Elite (Dominican Republic)

Montero is a very athletic combo guard that excels at driving to the hoop to score and get assists. He’ll need to be a more consistent outside shooter and defender, but his solid blend of offensive skills and athletic gifts could make him a very good pick for Denver in the late first round.

24. Dallas Mavericks – Dyson Daniels, G, NBA G-League (Australia)

Daniels is an agile, skilled combo guard that has strong playmaking skills, and he also can take it to the hoop to score the basketball. He’ll need to improve his jump shot, but he could be a solid pick in the late first round.

25. Philadelphia 76ers – Nikola Jovic, F, Mega Bemax (Serbia)

He is a tall, skilled playmaking forward that can shoot and pass the basketball. He’s not the most athletic player, and he’ll need to improve his defense, but his size combined with strong offensive skills could make him a great fit with Philadelphia here.

26. Atlanta Hawks – Benny Williams, F, Syracuse

Benny Williams is a very athletic forward that really competes, and is a very good defensive player. He’ll need to be a more consistent outside shooter, but he could be a sleeper pick that could really be a good pickup here.

27. Memphis Grizzlies (via UTA) – Harrison Ingram, F, Stanford

Ingram is an athletic, physical forward that has strong playmaking skills, and he also has the potential to guard multiple positions. He may need to improve his outside shot, but his athleticism and versatility could make this a good pick here.

28. Miami Heat (via BRK) – Max Abmas, G, Oral Roberts

Max Abmas is a speedy, skilled combo guard that can flat out score the basketball. He has uncanny range, and while he’ll need to improve his playmaking skills, his strong shooting skills could make him a very good pick at this spot.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHX) – Ousmane Dieng, F, New Zealand (France)

Dieng is a very athletic point forward that has solid playmaking skills, and may have a great deal of upside. He’ll need to improve his jump shot and defense, but he could be a player worth picking at this spot.

30. Milwaukee Bucks – Taevion Kinsey, G, Marshall

Kinsey is a very athletic swingman that can score and pass the basketball. He’s more of a mid-range shooter than three-point shooter, so he’ll need to extend his shooting range, but he may be a solid prospect that can contribute right away.

So there you have it, a preview of the upcoming draft, and this was the first round of the way-too-early 2022 NBA Mock Draft. The players chosen for the mock drafts in the future could change as the season progresses. Thanks for reading.