NEW YORK – The first round of the 2022 NBA Draft included some surprises, including the Orlando Magic which selected Paolo Banchero of Duke with the No. 1 overall pick, but mostly trained with the best players available of this class. Here are our instant reactions and ratings for each first round selection.
1. Orlando Magic: Paolo Banchero, PF, Duke
Banchero isn’t as agile and doesn’t have the lateral speed that Jabari Smith and Chet Holmgren have, but he has the most prepared body for the NBA with 6 feet 10 and 250 pounds. The Duke striker can connect immediately alongside Wendell Carter Jr. to get a little extra size and feel comfortable starting the attack as the main controller of wrong shots. Grade: A-
Holmgren on the front court with 7-foot Aleksej Pokusewski will be a spectacle. General manager Sam Presti knows what he’s doing and while Holmgren is a swing prospect for the fences, it’s worth taking the risk to his advantage. Grade: A
3. Houston Rockets: Jabari Smith Jr., PF, Auburn
Houston scored a lot when Smith landed. He’s the most versatile big at the top of the draft and will fit well alongside Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. Smith did not work for the Rockets before the draft. He is a great picker for the Rockets as an intro-strength option and a player who can defend positions 1 and 5. Grade: A +
It was clear the Kings were concentrating on Murray earlier in the week. He had a strong workout with them before the draft and is a good complementary piece for Davion Mitchell and De’Aaron Fox. The Kings haven’t had much luck with grain recruiting, but Murray’s hybrid role in turning the wing off the post will bring versatility to the front court. Grade: A
Ivey’s fall to No. 5 is the best scenario for the Pistons. Ivey on the back track with former No. 1 Cade Cunningham is a strong combination and Pistons fans should be excited. With the way Cunningham can create Ivey’s haggling and striking finishes around the edge, this is a fun and talented duo approaching Detroit. Grade: A +
The story goes on
6. Indiana Pacers: Benedict Mathurin, SG, Arizona
Mathurin is a plug-and-play guard who can affect the offensive end of the court with his play and versatility. He’s not the best 3-point pitcher in the draft, but he has a high pitch and can shoot and go over the defense with his 6-foot 6 frame. He’s a great side addition to Tyrese Haliburton and Malcolm Brogdon. Grade: B-
Sharpe is the biggest question mark in the draft and will need extra time to adjust to the pace and spacing of the NBA after not recording a single minute in Kentucky. If the Trail Blazers are patient, Sharpe could have ended up in the perfect situation playing alongside Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons on the back court. Grade: B
Daniels grew 2 inches, reaching 6 feet by 8 at the end of the G League season. You can add a much needed size to the Pelicans as the main ball handler in the second unit or in the wing position with the initial rotation. Grade: B +
A dynamic defender, Sochan can protect all positions on the court with his length and athleticism. He still needs development on the offensive side of the ball, but will see the first few minutes off the bench for this Spurs team. Grade: A-
Davis is one of the most reliable guards in this draft, averaging nearly 20 points and just two losses per game during his second season in Wisconsin. The Wizards are finally getting some help from Bradley Beal on the back court and Davis may be that side goal option at the end of the throwing clock. Grade: A-
Dieng improved tremendously during his season with the NZ Breakers in the Australian National Basketball League. It’s still a very raw prospect, so the Thunder will have to be patient with its development. In a season or two, Dieng will be a very productive wing with a large size at 6 feet-10. Grade: C
Williams was the biggest ascendant after the NBA draft combination and brings some size to the wing with his 6-foot-7, 7-foot-wide frame. Williams is a little older at 21, but has the experience to jump into the rotation right away. Grade: A
13. Detroit Pistons (via trade): Jalen Duren, C, Memphis
Duren is one of the youngest players in this draft class, but he has many advantages with his already built frame at 6 feet 10 and 250 pounds. Duren provides an immediate presence in the lane. Grade: A +
The Cavs need help from the band with the 3-point shot and Agbaji fills that role very well. He tried the waters of the NBA twice more and bore fruit in a huge way. He has established himself more as a reliable 3 and D boy, worked his body and led the Jayhawks to a national championship. Agbaji is a guy the Cavs can immediately connect with with his experience and elite wing skills. Grade: A
The Hornets need help on the front court and Williams was one of the best tire protectors in the country last season. Williams is 7 feet 2 and has an impressive 7-5 spread. It has a big picture in which it can still grow and this young center has many advantages. Grade: A
16. Atlanta Hawks: AJ Griffin, F, Duke
Griffin is the definition of positionless basketball. It can move between various points with its 6-foot 6 and 230-pound frame. Griffin had his fair share of injuries throughout his young career, so it’s such a high bet in the draft. If he can stay healthy, he could be a missing piece for this Hawks team. Grade: B +
Eason is one of the best wing rim runners in this draft class and specializes in chase blocks, challenging guards on the edge and even falling with his 7 foot 2 foot range to protect. the forwards. He’s a raw athletic winger who loves to play over the edge and will add excitement to this Rockets team, which is already young and hectic. Grade: A
18. Chicago Bulls: Dalen Terry, G, Arizona
Terry chose to stay in the draft, surprising many scouts. Its positive side is clear. He’s a long, athletic 6-foot, 7-footer and is a player who could make an impact on that Bulls roster after a year or two of development. The Bulls got a great second-round pick last year with Ayo Dosunmu and Terry can step in next to Dosunmu in the second unit. Grade: B +
19. Memphis Grizzlies: Jake LaRavia, G / F, Wake Forrest
LaRavia is a solid role player and can play stretch four and has all the tools to be a solid role player in the NBA. The Grizzlies have a steady roster and grabbed a safe and reliable band at LaRavia. Grade: B
20. San Antonio Spurs: Malachi Branham, G, Ohio State
Branham is a big size with 6 feet and 5 and was the most improved player from the start of the college season to the end. He averaged 13.7 points, two assists and just 1.7 losses per game. Expect Branham to be in the secondary group from the bench to start the season, but with his size and the way he sees the ground, Branham could see a few minutes earlier with the starting drive. Grade: A
21. Denver Nuggets: Christian Braun, G, Kansas
Braun was an integral part of the Kansas championship last season. He is more than a 3-point shooter and has proven that he has the athleticism to be an effective NBA goalie. Grade: C-
Kessler was the top college basketball shooting blocker last season and moves well with his 7-foot box. The Cavs were successful last year with Isaiah Mobley and Jarrett Allen in the lane, and Tm Connolly is making a similar move in his first year as president of basketball operations in Minnesota. Grade: B
23. Memphis Grizzlies: David Roddy, PF, Colorado State
Roddy moves best for his size and has a decent outside shot for the forward-pivot position. He’s a great worker who will give decent minutes on the bench behind Stephen Adams and Jaren Jackson Jr. He is one of the biggest players in the draft and will bring a lot of energy to this Grizzlies team. Grade: B-
24. Milwaukee Bucks: MarJon Beauchamp, G / F, G League Ignite
A great 3 and D guard with good size at 6 feet-7. Beauchamp continues to develop his 3-point shot and has a major advantage to enter the league, after playing a season with the G League Ignite team. Grade: B +
The 2022 NBA Draft Class from left to right: Blake Wesley, Walker Kessler, Jaden Hardy, Tari Eason, Jalen Williams, Jalen Duren, AJ Griffen, Dyson Daniels, Johnny Davis, Jabari Smith, Bennedict Mathurin, Chet Holmgren , Jaden Ivy, Paulo Banchero, Shaedon Sharpe, Jeremy Sochan, TyTy Washington, Keegan Murray, Ochai Agbaji, Ousmane Dieng, Malaki Branham, Mark Williams, Marjon Beauchamp, Nikola Jovic pose for a group on stage at Barclays Center in Brooklyn , New York, June 23, 2022. (Tayfun Coskun / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Wesley is the first he hasn’t done in Notre Dame history and while he was a bit inconsistent during the season, he has improved his jumper and added nine pounds of muscle mass during the pre-draft process. Wesley is an underrated passenger and has great body control around the edge. Grade: A
Moore Jr. he tested the waters of the NBA last year and decided to return one more season, working his body and footwork. He bore fruit very well and was the ground general of a very good Duke team. Moore Jr. will bring that leadership to Minnesota and should be a decent support. Grade: B
27. Miami Heat: Nikola Jovic, G / F, Mega Basket (Serbia)
Jovic is a great shooter and hit 13 corner triples in a row during his professional day in Chicago. He’ll need some work to adapt to the pace of the NBA game and has to work on his pick-and-roll readings to develop outside of just being a designated shooter. Grade: C
28. Golden State Warriors: Patrick Baldwin Jr., PF, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
The Warriors obviously have the luxury of recruiting a player here that they can save and develop. Baldwin Jr. he looks like an elite NBA player with his 6-foot-10 box. He handles and throws the ball like a guard but there are concerns if he can stay healthy. Baldwin Jr. he only played 11 games last season in college due to an ankle injury and suffered high school injuries. Again, the Warriors can hide it and develop it, but it’s still a risky option. Grade: C-