My 2022 NBA Mock Draft: Part 2
This article is a continuation from yesterday’s 2022 Mock Draft. I used the same criteria (biggest need and/or best available) to make the selection. Like the previous article, I will be providing one-sentence evaluations for some of these picks.
31. Indiana Pacers: Patrick Baldwin (F, Milwaukee)
The Pacers get some much-needed depth at the wing spot, and Baldwin offers great size and shooting despite an ankle injury that hindered his freshman year.
32. Orlando Magic: Bryce McGowens (SG, Nebraska)
The Magic keep piling on guards, but McGowens gives them length, scoring, and highlight-reel-worthy athleticism that could benefit any team.
33. Toronto Raptors: David Roddy (PF, Colorado State)
Roddy, a 6’5”, 252-pound beast, is a small-ball four whose draft stock rose after averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists this year while shooting 43.8% from three.
34. OKC Thunder: Wendell Moore Jr. (SF, Duke)
35. Orlando Magic: Terquavion Smith (SG, NC State)
36. Portland Trail Blazers: Christian Koloko (PF/C, Arizona)
A bruising big man who averaged nearly three BPG this year, Koloko adds to Portland’s depleted frontcourt depth.
37. Sacramento Kings: Hugo Besson (PG, NZ Breakers)
38. San Antonio Spurs: Leonard Miller (F, Fort Erie Academy)
A polarizing prospect, Miller grew from 6’4” as a high school sophomore to 6’11” now, and he is a triple-threat guard trapped in a forward’s body.
39. Cleveland Cavaliers: JD Davison (PG, Alabama)
The Cavs continue to load up on point guards, but Davison would have three great mentors in Darius Garland, Colin Sexton, and, of course, Rajon Rondo.
40. Minnesota Timberwolves: Justin Lewis (SF, Marquette)
Lewis had a breakout sophomore year for the Golden Eagles — 16.8 PPG, 7.9 RPG, and 1.7 APG on 44–34–76 splits — and looks to lend his talents to the Wolves’ frontcourt.
41. New Orleans Pelicans: Max Christie (SG, Michigan State)
42. New York Knicks: Khalifa Diop
The Knicks — who are clearly in need of bigs with Mitchell Robinson’s injury history, Jericho Sims’s inexperience, and Taj Gibson’s age — pick up a young, athletic center who can score in the paint, rebound, and defend.
43. LA Clippers: Jake LaRavia (PF, Wake Forest)
LaRavia broke out for Wake Forest after transferring from Indiana State, and his shooting, motor, and defense will be useful for a Clipper roster filled with veterans.
44. Atlanta Hawks: Jaylin Williams (C, Arkansas)
45. Charlotte Hornets: Dalen Terry (PG, Arizona)
46. Detroit Pistons: Yannick Nzosa (C, Democratic Republic of the Congo)
47. Memphis Grizzlies: Josh Minott (PF, Memphis)
48. Minnesota Timberwolves: Trevion Williams (C, Purdue)
Williams is an old-school, back-to-the-basket five who rebounds adequately and has excellent, underrated playmaking skills.
49. Sacramento Kings: Keon Ellis (SG, Alabama)
50. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jalen Williams (SG, Santa Clara)
51. Golden State Warriors: Andrew Nembhard (PG, Gonzaga)
The Warriors select another point guard who is an excellent shooter (45–38–87 splits his senior year).
52. New Orleans Pelicans: Gabriele Procida (G/F, Italy)
Procida is a 6’7” sharpshooter with NBA-ready skills.
53. Boston Celtics: Harrison Ingram (SF, Stanford)
Ingram is a talented point-forward who has to improve his shooting, but he would be a great, versatile player for Ime Udoka and the Celtics.
54. Milwaukee Bucks: Drew Timme (PF, Gonzaga)
Timme has been dominant and viewed as one of the best post scorers in the country, but his lack of agility and verticality has led him to slide all the way to the second round.
55. Miami Heat: Michael Foster Jr. (G League Ignite)
NBA Draft Room says Foster has “small forward skills in a power forward’s body,” and I couldn’t agree more; he gives an aging Heat roster more youth and athleticism up front.
56. Washington Wizards: Matteo Spagnolo (Cremona/Italy)
57. Golden State Warriors: Dominick Barlow (PF, Overtime Elite)
Barlow has been skyrocketing onto draft boards this past year; the two-way forward has excellent shooting skills (especially from midrange) and is very active on defense.
58. Cleveland Cavaliers: Julian Champagnie (SF, St. John’s)
59. Portland Trail Blazers: Alondes Williams (PG, Wake Forest)
60. Indiana Pacers: Peyton Watson (SF, UCLA)
This last evaluation will be a little longer. Watson is the only prospect that I actually got to watch in high school. He was a junior when I was a freshman, and I got to see him show out when Long Beach Poly played Loyola in the St. John Bosco Winter Classic. He demonstrated an incredible knack for getting into the paint as well as shooting from three, and he finished the game with 22 points. Loyola, however, finished with a 73–54 win. Watson has continued to use his speed and athleticism at UCLA and can develop well into a solid NBA player.
That’s a wrap on my 2022 NBA Mock Draft! Let me know your thoughts below!
