- 16. AJ Griffin, F, Duke
- 51. Tyrese Martin, G, UConn (via Warriors)
Prior to the draft, many evaluators considered Griffin to be one of the top 10 talents, but teams may have been scared by his injury history. The Hawks were able to place him at No. 16, which could turn out to be one of the steals in the draft. He knocked down 45 percent of his 3 as a freshman at Duke, and could have more shooting and playing ability than he could show on a stacked team. He should get into the band very well for an Atlanta team that needs to throw around Trae Young. Martin is a four-year-old player who improved as a shooter and game creator throughout his college career. Grade: A (Ward-Henninger)
- 53. JD Davison, G, Alabama
With his one and only selection in this year’s draft, Boston grabbed a bat and turned to the fences in the No. 53 pick by selecting Alabama’s JD Davison. Davison is a former five-star recruit with a great pedigree who once fought last season in his only year with Tide. However, he brings an athleticism that is rarely seen in a shipowner and has proven enough as a game creator to ensure a second-round steering wheel. Interesting long-term project for someone who entered the college season as a first-round projected. Grade: B- (Boone)
Brooklyn made no selection in the 2022 draft. Grade: N / A
- 15. Mark Williams, C, Duc
- 45. Josh Minott, F, Memphis
It was a wild night for the Charlotte Hornets and a roller coaster of emotions, first with the recruitment of Jalen Duran at 13 and then the change. But they did add a big man as expected at 15 with Duke’s Mark Williams, a dominant inside presence, and also at 45 they selected a high wing to Josh Minott. Minott is a raw talent that is still developing: he hit two 3s in Memphis all season, but he has a great cadre and incredible athleticism. The tools are there for him to become something, and Charlotte can be a slasher as he finally develops his scoring insight. Grade: A- (Boone)
- 18. Dalen Terry, F, Arizona
Terry at number 18 might have been a little higher than where he was most projected (including me), but I’m not going to couple the note here for that. Because the fit is fantastic. He is a combined listener who can handle, bounce, shoot … a guy with a full tail who brings a toughness and competitiveness that Chicago fans will love. Great fit. Grade: A (Boone)
- 14. Ochai Agbaji, G, Kansas
- 39. Khalifa Diop, C, Senegal
- 49. Isaiah Mobley, F, USC
- 56. Luke Travers, F, Australia
Cleveland would have to get an A on draft night just to draft Isaiah Mobley and pair him with his brother, Evan, who drafted last year. That was amazing. But I also totally liked the Cavs draft. Ochai Agbaji at 14 adapts to a need and has a clear path to play right away. And Diop and Travers are really interesting development prospects. You don’t think either of them will be collaborators right away, but if they become something later, you’ve got the gold, given how difficult it is to find value in second-round elections. Grade: A (Boone)
Dallas changed his only draft pick in the Christian Wood deal. Grade: N / A
- 21. Christian Braun, F, Kansas
- 30. Peyton Watson, F, UCLA (via Thunder)
- 46. Ismael Kamagate, F, France (via Trail Blazers)
Not long before the draft, people spoke of Braun as a high-value second-round pick. The Nuggets focused on him and got their man at 21, and he should be able to slip well into a Denver squad that needed wing help. Braun is a good athlete who should be able to defend and knock down triples at a decent pace, although they are not asked to do too much for the Nuggets, who have championship aspirations. Watson is a bit more of a gamble, but he was one of the best recruits in high school, so obviously there’s talent to work with. Kamagate is a great project that could bear fruit in the future. Grade: B + (Ward-Henninger)
- 5. Jaden Ivey, G, Purdue
- 13. Jalen Duren, C, Memphis (via Hornets)
- 36. Gabriele Procida, F, Italy (via Trail Blazers)
Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren and Cade Cunningham will play basketball together on the same court. The sound you hear is that NBA League Pass fans are crying with emotion. He didn’t expect Ivey to fall above No. 4, but Detroit got him right at No. 5, consolidating his back track for the future. Then, taking a big lead on Duren ensures that this team will have a lob goal to set up Cunningham and Ivey to succeed. Procida is a reserve candidate, but could pay dividends in the future. This team will be a lot of fun. Grade: A + (Boone)
- 28. Patrick Baldwin Jr., F, Milwaukee
- 44. Ryan Rollins, G, Toledo (via Hawks)
- 55. Gui Santos, F, Brazil
The Warriors may have hit another home run in the draft. Baldwin was one of the best players in his high school class before a disastrous year in Milwaukee, so it’s clear the talent is there to unlock him thanks to the tutelage of a proven Golden State development team. Rollins is a certified giver from the guard position who should be able to compete for a position. Santos is probably a storage that won’t impact soon. If the idea is for the champions to continue to build towards the future while still being perennial title contenders, they are doing a great job. Grade: A (Ward-Henninger)
- 3 ….