While it is not in the near future, the 2022 NBA Draft is a great point of emphasis for many NBA teams. It's why we're unveiling our way-too-early 2022 mock draft.
Teams like the Detroit Pistons or the Houston Rockets will look to the draft for major additions to their young cores. On the other hand, a team like the Thunder, which invested a lot of time and effort in the past to get assets, will look to the draft to stockpile talent and find a diamond in the rough. Overall, it can be a turning point for many franchises, and this season's draft class is truly great. Time to look at the talent!
The team standings here are based on NBADraft.net and on their projections on where these teams will finish in the final NBA standings.
2022 NBA Draft – Our Way To Early 2022 Mock Draft
1) The Houston Rockets select Chet Holmgren (C, Gonzaga, Freshman)
The current consensus top projected pick is the freshman center from Minneapolis, Chet Holmgren. The MVP of the FIBA U-19 World Cup is a unicorn in every sense of the word. He is a seven-footer with a wingspan of seven feet and six inches. While Holmgren is a center, obviously, he has the skills of a guard. During his high school career, it was his long strides coast-to-coast that accelerated the offense of his team. He is also a gifted passer and a great dribbler while possessing immense defensive skills and awareness.
He still needs to make major improvements in his outside shooting and defensive work against guards on the perimeter. However, these two seem to be the only two major things Holmgren needs to work on and that is elite for his age and his future in the NBA. The Rockets select him since he can be the starting, defensive-minded center that will anchor their defense for the next decade.
NBA comparison: Evan Mobley/Giannis Antetokounmpo
2) The Detroit Pistons select Paolo Banchero (F/C, Duke, Freshman)
The Pistons could go for one more player (spoiler alert: Jaden Hardy), but with Cade Cunningham going first to Detroit in the 2021 NBA Draft, selecting a potent big man in Banchero would be more productive. The Seattle-native who will be joining Duke in the upcoming NCAA season is a potential two-way monster. His strength and smoothness around the rim are mesmerizing, and when locked in, his defensive work cannot be underestimated, both against guards and big men. Additionally, he can also create for others and make some great passes after getting the defensive rebound.
He really needs to work on two things – shot selection and defensive consistency. Starting with the latter, Banchero sometimes just decides not to play defense and while it is possible that this is due to his age, it still needs to be addressed. Also, he is too dominant of a force in the paint to settle for bad shots. That has been his primary issue, when he decides to take contested shots or three-pointers when he is simply not consistent enough in those areas for that to be profitable.
NBA comparison: Blake Griffin
3) The Orlando Magic select Jaden Hardy (G, G-League Ignite, Freshman)
Hardy is, simply said, the best scorer in this class. Drawing a lot of parallels to Green, who went to the Rockets, Hardy already looks like a better outside shooter. He has limitless range and all possible tools to get himself into great positions offensively. The freshmen guard also has great vision and has the potential to be a true threat in the half-court offense. Defensively, he has the tools to be an elite guard defender. The Magic selects him because their frontcourt is already full and it seems like the backcourt needs a lot of help, and Hardy is exactly that.
The problems with him are mostly mental and they are solvable by some great coaching. He has the bad habit of taking poor shots rather than passing, even though his passes could create better opportunities for his teammates. Additionally, he can also lose his place in the defensive setup and just be straight-up lazy when it comes to following his defensive assignment. All of this is understandable, but if these problems continue, they might be a bad sign for the guard. Also worth mentioning is that he needs to be a better finisher at the rim, where he can struggle.
NBA comparison: Stephen Curry/Louis Williams
4) The Oklahoma City Thunder select Jalen Duren (C, Memphis, Freshman)
The Thunder need some NBA talent, especially in the frontcourt, and Duren is exactly that. The new Memphis center is, in many ways, an already finished product. His touch around the rim is elite and he will be a major threat in the low post. Additionally, he has something many young players do not have – endless motor. Duren simply takes no time off on the court, defensively or offensively. While he is not incredibly mobile, Duran makes sure he makes all the correct movements in both defensive and offensive schemes to ensure he is contributing.
He does also have some things to work on. First and foremost, while his touch around the rim is elite, Duren needs to diversify his offensive game. He does have some range, incorporated in his low-post game. However, even big men really need range in his game and Duren needs to be able to hit three-pointers and mid-range shots. Also, while he is freakishly athletic in terms of jumping, he needs to be faster and more mobile in the offense. That extends to his defensive work as well, as he will need to pick up on guards around the perimeter.
NBA comparison: Bam Adebayo
5) The Cleveland Cavaliers select Caleb Houstan (F, Michigan, Freshman)
There might be some forwards that are above Houstan in many mock drafts. However, he is what the Cavaliers really need. Touted as the second-best shooter of this class, the forward who committed to Michigan has one of the sweetest shooting touches that can be seen. He has limitless range and can be an all-around offensive threat. Additionally to his shooting, he is a great dribbler and a player that can penetrate into the middle, even though his shot is what will get him the most points. With two non-shooting guards in Sexton and Garland, Houstan is just compatible in the best possible way for the Cavs.
Of course, he does have downsides. He is a subpar defender, even though he has the closest thing to an NBA-ready body. Also, he is a poor playmaker and shot-creator for others. Sure, he can create tons of shots for himself, but Houstan is simply a weak playmaker. He needs to get a tighter grip on his dribbling as well, something that will help him immensely when transferring defensive rebounds into point-scoring opportunities on the other end.
NBA projection: Bojan Bogdanovic
6) The Minnesota Timberwolves select Peyton Watson (F, UCLA, Freshman)
Watson is definitely one of the most complete players in this draft class. He does not have huge holes in his game. The UCLA recruit is an all-around player that has all the physical tools to be a great wing in the NBA. Watson is a very hard-working player who does everything on the court. He can utilize his long arms to finish around the rim and to disrupt shots when switched onto guards. The simplest reason why the Wolves would select him is his versatility, something they lack in their team of mostly one-dimensional players. An additional reason why he would be going to Minnesota is that they are really lacking in the wings part of their squad and Watson can fill that up for the next decade.
The problem with all-around players not named LeBron is that they do not have anything elite. Of course, Watson can be a point forward, a scorer, a defender, and many other things, but he does not do any of these things better than most players in the draft. If he did one or two things on a world-breaking level, and if he had a bit more NBA-ready body, Watson would be top three. With these circumstances, the UCLA freshman will be around this range in the upcoming draft.
NBA comparison: Derrick Jones Jr
7) The Toronto Raptors select Jaden Ivey (G, Purdue, Sophomore)
The first non-freshman of the class, Ivey is an athletic guard with a specific prowess for the defensive end of the court. He has long arms and great physical tools to stay in front and really disrupt guards and smaller wings in front of him. Up until this point, Ivey is the only player with relevant film against more experienced players in college, as most have been only playing against the high-school-level competition. An incredible athlete, Ivey has tons of potential on the offensive side, even if his defense has been the crux of his game up until this point. The Raptors have a serious deficiency in the guard part of their roster and Ivey could be that guy for them.
Ivey does need to make major strides in one important category – shotmaking. While his drives and penetrations are somewhat okay, Ivey still does not have a consistent three-point shot. He needs to hit outside shots often to be a modern NBA player and to really solidify his place in the future of one lucky NBA team that gets him. Besides that, he needs to diversify his offensive arsenal and make sure that that part of his game gets up to the level of the defensive side where he thrives.
NBA comparison: Ja Morant
8) The Chicago Bulls select Josh Minott (G/F, Memphis, Freshman)
Another Memphis freshman, Minott is one of the better all-around guards in the draft. While his offensive game is much more revered than the defensive part, Minott can still defend on a good level. It is his athleticism, which is off the charts, that gets him in good positions. When it comes to offense, he has limitless range and can score in a manner of ways. His favorite way of scoring is from behind the three-point line, which is a segment where the Bulls are seriously lacking. While Lonzo Ball is a solid shooter and LaVine can fill it up, both are not consistent enough, and that is what Minott would address in a great way.
However, in that segment lies the biggest weakness of Minott's game. His shot selection can be a bit hectic at times. While he can make shots like the best of them, he does have issues with too much confidence, where the guard would take shots he should not have. It is great that he has the confidence to put these up, but some of these shots would be a possible reason why an NBA coach takes a young player out of the game. He could also improve his finishing and quickness. While he is a great athlete and a solid defender, he lacks quickness and can be beaten off the first step.
NBA comparison: Tayshaun Prince (with a jump shot)
9) The Sacramento Kings select Jabari Smith (F/C, Auburn, Freshman)
In this mock draft, it is mostly about the guards while most of the really coveted forwards and wings will go in the first couple of selections. That puts a team like the Kings in a bad position since they are mostly set in terms of guards. However, when it comes to this position projected for them, Smith is not a bad pick. The Auburn freshman is an all-around forward with a smooth touch around the rim and a solid offensive game. He is athletic and has some great things in his offensive arsenal. Paired up with the likes of De'Aaron Fox, Smith would have a great time rim-running, but also showing off his skillset in the half-court offense.
However, he lacks extensively in terms of decision-making. Smith can have issues with shot selection and he has a tendency to overdribble. His tendency to overdribble should be addressed in Sacramento, with a ball-dominant guard in Fox, but it is still worth mentioning. In terms of shot selection, that is simply about being coached in the proper way, but also it can be addressed by having more potent offensive players on the roster (as the Kings have), making Smith earn the shots he has.
NBA comparison: Thaddeus Young
10) The New Orleans Pelicans select JD Davidson (G, Alabama, Freshman)
Davidson is the type of player the Pelicans desperately need. The young guard is a gifted passer who is also very athletic, which seems to be the theme of the squad assembling in New Orleans. His passing can be incredible at times, with some flashiness to his game. Additionally, his athleticism goes well with the likes of Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, due to his ability to run the floor and get to the other end of the court very fast. Fast breaks with Davidson running the floor with Zion and Ingram might be incredibly lethal.
The issue with Davidson is mostly in his shot and in his ability to make plays in the half-court offense. Davidson is still to find a consistent outside shot, a must for every NBA guard. It can be worked on, of course, but he has relied on his physical tools to get points, more than working on his offensive arsenal. Additionally, while he is a gifted passer and he has a niche of throwing some incredible passes, it is his ability to be the floor general that can be questioned. He will need to improve on these aspects if he wants to make it in the league.
NBA comparison: Frank Ntilikina
11) The Charlotte Hornets select Bennedict Mathurin (F, Arizona, Sophomore)
The second sophomore of the mock draft class, Mathurin had a solid season in Arizona. However, he clearly felt he can increase his draft stock and he decided to stay for this year as well. Mathurin is an athletic, all-around wing that has tons of potential. His explosiveness, connected with great defense and shot-making ability, can make some teams water at the mouth. In a lot of ways, he could be the exact prototype of a 3&D wing. It is exactly the player the Hornets need on the wing with Miles Bridges. They hit the jackpot on him and Mathurin can be a similar type of player.
Obviously, there are issues as well. He cannot create shots for himself or for others, which is a need in terms of wings in today's NBA. Additionally, while other tools and skills are there, his dribbling is not ideal. It is clear that Mathurin cannot be relied on when it comes to making that transition to point forward, since that is a glaring hole in his arsenal.
NBA comparison: Miles Bridges
12) The San Antonio Spurs select AJ Griffin (F, Duke, Freshman)
The Spurs have a few options if they end up with this pick and this exact field. However, when the Spurs culture is considered, Griffin is a great pick-up. One thing will stand out immediately when Griffin is considered – his defense. Not only is he a physical, athletic defender, but he also has all the defensive IQ one coach would want. He can read players as soon as they are started and he has a knack for being in the right defensive position in every situation. His offensive game is solid, as he uses his imposing strength to get into the right positions and draw contact. Gregg Popovich would be over the moon to get his hands on this prospect.
However, he has two major issues. Firstly, he is very injury-prone. He missed a ton of time in the last two years, mostly due to injuries and some due to COVID-19 issues. Secondly, his motor is something he desperately needs to work on. Griffin has all the tools to be a defensive menace and a possible Defensive Player of the Year if all goes well for him. However, if he is not in the game and fully focused, all of those tools and defensive talent will simply end up rotting away. That is why it is instrumental that a good organization like the Spurs get this amazing prospect.
NBA comparison: Kawhi Leonard
13) The Indiana Pacers select Jabari Walker (F, Colorado, Sophomore)
When it comes to shooting splits, it does not get much better than this – 52.6/52.3/77.8. Of course, it is only in 14 minutes per game, but this is Jabari Walker's shooting split in his freshman season at Colorado. While the free throw percentage can improve, it is clear that high efficiency is the name of the game for the sophomore forward. He is a gifted scorer and has a ton of range. Similar to Mathurin, he will be a 3&D threat, and that is a great niche that he can step into in Indiana, if he gets drafted there, of course. After hitting huge on Chris Duarte, the Pacers might look to bolster their defense on the wings, and Walker is definitely the player that can do that.
The major issue with Walker right now is that he has not played much in his first season at Colorado. As mentioned above, he only played 14 minutes and averaged just 7.6 points per game. There are serious questions about whether he can transfer those efficiency numbers into a higher usage rate. Putting him on number 13 makes some sense now, but that number might as well be higher or lower, depending on how much he showcases in his second season at Colorado.
NBA comparison: Otto Porter Jr.
14) The Golden State Warriors select Daimion Collins (F, Kentucky, Freshman)
When it comes to Collins, he is a great prospect. Due to the sheer quality of this draft class, Collins will likely fall to this position around the end of the lottery and that is music to the ears of the teams like the Warriors, which should be around the lottery positions. He is a forward with a great feel for the game. His shooting touch is amazing for his position and while it might not always go in, it is the natural shooting stroke that makes Collins great. Additionally, he is a great athlete and a good defender in the paint. He slides right in with the Warriors, as his game feels very good to get off since day one in the league.
Of course, he still needs work. He still needs to add a ton of range. While his shooting stroke is great, he still does not shoot a lot from range and still gets the majority of his points in an old-school way. Collins still needs to fill out his frame which might disrupt his athleticism a bit, so that will be a point of emphasis going forward. Also, he does not do anything elite and does not have a go-to offensive move, something he will need to add when he does arrive in the league.
NBA comparison: Jerian Grant
2022 NBA Draft Post-Lottery Mock Draft Continuation
15) The Washington Wizards select Patrick Baldwin (F, Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Freshman)
Baldwin is a player that might be a lot higher on many early mock draft boards. This is simply due to the fact that he has all the intangibles there. His size is absolutely great, standing at six-foot-nine and having a wingspan of six-feet-eleven. Additional to his size, Baldwin is also very mobile and can defend multiple positions. He is very mature for his age as well, as a player that does not make a ton of mistakes. He is also very happy to share the ball and is a great off-ball player.
However, there are issues as well. Baldwin needs to be a more aggressive player and while it is great that he is not very selfish, he takes that to the other extreme and does not seem to force the issue at all. Also, he can become a better passer and a better offensive player overall, as he does not have a wide range of offensive tools. Baldwin also decided to attend Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a school that does not have a history of success, so it will be difficult to see him playing against better opposition.
NBA comparison: Michael Porter Jr.
16) The Boston Celtics select Nikola Jovic (F, Mega Basket/Serbia, International)
Nikola Jovic is a great draft-and-stash pick and with the patience the Celtics will need to show, he is a great pick for them. Jovic is a good prospect coming out of Serbia, a country known for an amazing school of basketball. His strengths come from his experience playing against better opposition and his versatility. Jovic, 19 when the 2022 NBA Draft comes, will have a full season and a half playing professional basketball in Serbia when he gets to hear his name read out in the Barclays Center. Additionally, he is already a great passer and someone who can run the offense from the forward spot.
Similar to many European prospects when it comes to forwards, he desperately needs to fill out his frame and become more athletic. Watching Jovic handle some sort of athletic forward, even though Jovic is quick, would be rough to watch for Celtics fans. Likewise to a few players chosen here before him, his issue is also that he does everything solid and nothing elite. He needs to have a niche he fills, like being a better passer or shooter, to really earn his minutes in the NBA.
NBA comparison: Hedo Turkoglu
17) The Memphis Grizzlies select Bryce McGowens (G, Nebraska, Freshman)
The Memphis Grizzlies are a somewhat odd roster, with the clear leader being Ja Morant. Other parts of the roster, maybe aside from Jaren Jackson, will be replaceable. That includes Desmond Bane, current starting shooting guard, and that is where McGowens can step in right away. He is a lanky, athletic guard with a ton of range. He is also a solid defender and if he fills out his frame more, he can be the lead defensive guard for this Grizzlies team. Additionally, he can take over as a playmaker when Morant wants to play off-ball.
However, his decision-making and overall streakiness have to improve. While he possesses a lot of maturity in different areas of his game, McGowens needs to make better decisions in the heat of the moment. Additionally, while he does have range, McGowens is a streaky shooter, meaning that he can airball four shots in a row, just like he can make four shots in a row. His reliability overall needs to improve and, under Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg and under the tutelage of his brother Trey, McGowens can make this leap to a future first-round pick.
NBA comparison: Caris LeVert
18) The Houston Rockets select Ian Martinez (G, Maryland, Sophomore)
The Rockets need, more or less, any talent they can get, but Martinez is definitely good at this position in the mock draft. The six-foot-three guard coming now out of Maryland (he played one season for Utah) will have a whole year to wash out the bad taste his freshman year left. Unfortunately for him, he did not have a ton of space to showcase his talent. His biggest strengths are his defense, where he is not afraid to tussle and tumble with guards and smaller wings, and his athleticism. Martinez can run down the court in a few moments, which is absolutely amazing for a young Rockets team that has the likes of Jalen Green and Christian Wood.
Martinez's biggest flaw is his lack of a reliable outside shot. He would rarely even hoist up three-pointers and even on a small scale, he still shot a poor 32.5% at Utah. While his inside game is great, where he can finish around the rim with a bevy of moves, he needs that outside shot. Without it, the defense will give him tons of space and collapse as soon as he tries to get to the rim. He is a good prospect, but this might be his downfall unless improvement is shown at Maryland.
NBA comparison: TJ McConnell
19) The New York Knicks select Matthew Cleveland (G/F, Florida State, Freshman)
Cleveland is an interesting prospect and the Knicks would be very lucky to have him at this point in the mock draft. A lanky, athletic player, he has a ton of upside on both ends of the floor. Cleveland has great size and an evolving offensive game. He has already showcased a ton of variety in terms of what he can do on that end of the floor. He can shoot, run the floor in fast breaks, and finish at the rim without any problems. He would be amazing to watch with the Knicks, especially due to his defensive potential that the Knicks coach, Tom Thibodeau, would love to use to the fullest.
He does have flaws, of course. He is an unwilling shooter, even though his form is completely fine and he can score from range. Also, with all the defensive potential in the world, Cleveland is not using it to the fullest extent. A huge point of emphasis in his freshman year at Florida State will be whether he can unlock the defense that comes with that athleticism and overall physical tools. A minor point as well, he needs to improve his free throw shooting.
NBA comparison: Derrick Jones Jr.
20) The Atlanta Hawks select Michael Foster (F, G-League Ignite, Freshman)
The Hawks made the Eastern Conference Finals last season and they do not have much room to improve. However, one part of their game where they could improve is defense in the paint. While Clint Capela is great, he can sometimes have too much to do, with John Collins not being the best defender. This is where Foster comes in. His biggest strengths are his defense, rebounding, and the fact that he will play on a higher level of skill than others who are entering through college. The G-League is not really the NBA, but it is up there and it does have a lot of near-NBA players and former professionals.
Forster does have a glaring flaw and that is his shooting. He is a below-par shooter and does not have a lot of range, even though his shot form and technique look good. His offensive versatility is questionable and he could be someone who can be left alone until he reaches the paint. Foster also has some maturity issues, mostly with shot selection. Overall, his game needs a ton of guidance and these issues should be easily solvable going forward.
NBA comparison: Julius Randle
21) The Dallas Mavericks select Mark Williams (C, Duke, Sophomore)
With the current roster setup of the Mavericks, they are one player away from a true championship contender. While Williams is not that, he can be a good role player and he can fill a niche that the Mavs really need. Williams is a great defensive center who does not command a lot of offensive attention from his team. While he does not get to play much at Duke, what he has shown in college play is good athleticism and proficiency for shot-blocking. Interior defense is a major point of emphasis for the Mavs, as they are currently 20th in defensive efficiency and were ranked 21st there last season.
Obviously, at this point in the mock draft, there will be some major negatives. Firstly, Williams will never be an offensive threat. His rebounding can provide for some second-chance points, but he has virtually no range, is a poor free-throw shooter, and aside from some low-post skill, does not offer much in that segment of play. He also needs to improve his lateral quickness, so he can chase guards around the perimeter on switches.
NBA comparison: DeAndre Jordan
22) The Memphis Grizzlies select Brandon Huntley-Hatfield (F, Tennessee, Freshman)
This would be the Grizzlies' second pick in this draft and after a guard in Bryce McGowens, it is time to add a forward to this young roster. Huntley-Hatfield is a forward with a ton of upside. He has flashed a lot of potentially amazing qualities in his game. His athleticism is already great, as he showcases a good leap on the boards and generally is fairly quick for his height. Huntley-Hatfield also showcased some range, usually on smooth step-back threes, something that can work well in the league.
He must improve his consistency, however. All of the abovementioned things are great, but they are based on small flashes of his game. Huntley-Hatfield simply has to do something on a consistent basis to have a stable NBA career. He could be a huge risk, even in the latter stages of the first round, as these mentioned things could evaporate or just be small flashes in the league, or they could become the norm and he is, all of a sudden, a complete steal at 22.
NBA comparison: Jonathan Isaac
23) The Chicago Bulls select Tristan Vukcevic (F, Real Madrid/Serbia, International)
The Bulls added a ton of new guards and forwards to their rotation in the summer and with this mock draft already adding Josh Minott to the mix, it seems logical that the Bulls go for a project big man here. Even though most drafts have Vukcevic going in the second round, his flashes of amazing potential in one of the strongest European teams, Real Madrid, will cause some hype around the draft stock of this young man. He is a good, project pick which will reap benefits years after his selection. Even if he is brought in right away, which is unlikely, he will have an amazing tutor in Nikola Vucevic, where their sharing of a common language will help immensely.
The biggest downside of Vukcevic is that he is not really elite in anything. He still needs to have one niche to fill out, so he can carve out a possible future in the NBA. Vukcevic also will need serious investment in terms of time, and it will be interesting to see whether win-now teams like the Bulls decide to go for a long-term project like him. Aside from that, he has the classic issues that players from Europe have, which is the lack of elite athleticism and he still needs to adequately fill out his frame.
NBA comparison: Kristaps Porzingis/Mirza Teletovic
24) The Milwaukee Bucks select TyTy Washington (G, Kentucky, Freshman)
The champions do not require a ton of help, but one area to address might be bench scoring. The Bucks have an elite first lineup, with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, and Jrue Holiday. However, the rotation can be lacking and Washington might be an instant boost to their offense. He is a capable shooter and someone who can run the offense, a key part of his offensive game. Washington is also a great, effort defender who can hold his own against more or less any guard he has come up against.
His biggest downside is his streakiness. Washington can fill it up, but it is not done on a consistent level. Overall reliability will be a major point of emphasis during his freshman season at Kentucky, to see whether he can get away from the habit of poor games. He is also a somewhat wild player, and the containment of that side of his game night ensures his draft stock goes up in the future. Of course, that is natural when it comes to players like Washington, which play with a high degree of effort, but balancing that out with making pragmatic decisions on both ends of the floor will be the key segment of his sustainable future in the league.
NBA comparison: Marcus Smart (with better shooting)
25) The Oklahoma City Thunder select MarJon Beauchamp (G, G-League Ignite, Freshman)
The Thunder, as outlined in their first selection above, need talent. Beauchamp is exactly that, a highly talented guard that could be a great compliment to Gilgeous-Alexander, the presumed leader of any future Thunder team. The 6-6 guard/wing is a talented scorer and a good athlete who will have an opportunity to play with more senior opposition in the G-League. He has an NBA-ready jump shot and great quickness and could be a lethal backcourt combo with SGA, who is not an elite shooter.
His downsides are centered mostly around his lack of elite playmaking and his maturity. Beauchamp has a tendency to go for various plays on both ends of the floor that show a lack of real maturity. It is an important thing that could be addressed in the G-League, where he will have an opportunity to talk to and play with more experienced guards. Playmaking is an issue for Beauchamp because, when he gets the ball in the half-court, he is only looking at the basket. That is completely fine, but at the NBA level, that could cause him serious problems, especially paired up with his poor decision-making.
NBA comparison: James Anderson
26) The Denver Nuggets select Carlos Alocen (G, Real Madrid/Spain, International)
Coming back to the international side, the Nuggets are a contending team that has a major gap in their squad – the playmaking. While Nikola Jokic is an elite facilitator and distributor, he needs someone to help carry the load. That is where Alocen comes in, who is a great playmaker. Moreover, Alocen is currently playing his fifth professional season, debuting at the age of 15 years. While it is not NBA, the Spanish league is probably the toughest national league in Europe, and experience there is something NBA scouts have touted as greatly influencing their decisions to single out a prospect as a good potential.
His negatives usually concern primarily his offensive game. Alocen is a capable passer, but his tendency to look for flashy passes can cause turnovers. He is not an elite shooter nor defender, both faults that might keep him on the bench should he join an NBA franchise next season for extended periods of time. Additionally, concerning primarily the Nuggets, getting a project, which Alocen is, might be counter-productive due to the championship window the Nuggets have which is closing more and more every year.
NBA comparison: Jose Calderon
27) The Miami Heat select Taevion Kinsey (G, Marshall, Senior)
The first senior of this mock draft, Kinsey might be the ideal pick at this point in the draft for a team like the Heat. With their aging core (with respect to Bam Adebayo, of course), Kinsey would be great to step in as the playmaker for Kyle Lowry. He is currently playing his fourth season at Marshall and he has more experience than all the other players mentioned, except the aforementioned Alocen, who is on par with Kinsey in terms of seasons played. He is mature and is a great prospect who has limited potential but can step in right away.
The major disadvantage for Kinsey is mostly that he has limited potential. He does not have much more room to grow, due to his decision to stay at Marshall for the full four years, and he has developed the major parts of his game already to the maximum level of his capacity. Additionally, he is not an elite shooter and can have serious lapses of focus on both ends of the floor. These problems will need to be addressed as soon as possible so he can have a proper career as a role player, which is about the ceiling for Kinsey in the NBA.
NBA comparison: DeAaron Fox
28) The Philadelphia 76ers select Kennedy Chandler (G, Tennessee, Freshman)
The Sixers, amidst all the drama with Ben Simmons, hopefully, learned their lesson. Rather than taking the best possible prospect, it would be productive for the Sixers to actually address team needs. Thus, selecting Chandler would make the best sense. The guard is a good, capable shooter who can influence the game in a manner of ways. He is a good defender, active in passing lanes, and can pester the ball handler on defense. He is also a good playmaker, meaning that he can run the offense on an acceptable level, which is great for this late in the draft.
In terms of the negatives, his lack of consistency on both ends is alarming to some extent. He can also be very careless. This is generally the fault of many players, especially guards, and Chandler is no different. He is also fairly undersized for the position, standing at only six-foot-one. Chandler needs to work around his size, creating value in his effort plays on the defensive end, by reducing the amount of gambling he does there,
NBA comparison: Malcolm Brogdon
29) The Oklahoma City Thunder select Ousmane Dieng (G/F, New Zealand Breakers/France, International)
With their third pick in the mock draft, the Thunder might decide for a potential pick'n'stash selection, and Dieng is the best one left on the board. While he would be another guard, something the Thunder has plenty of, he is one of the best international talents in the field. Dieng is a capable guard that will have two years of international experience when he, ideally, gets drafted. He is a good athlete with solid physical tools, great length, and some NBA-ready characteristics.
In terms of the negatives, he is yet to develop consistency in the offense. While he has all the tools ready, he needs to improve his offensive arsenal, especially in terms of shooting and finishing. He can get to the rim with ease, with great dribbling, handle, and the ability to take longer strides, but when it comes to actually scoring the points, he struggles. Dieng will need to have a go-to offensive move if he wants to go to the league and remain there.
NBA comparison: Nicolas Batum
30) The Memphis Grizzlies select Ibou Diango Badji (C, Forca Lleida/Senegal, International)
This is definitely a pick for the future. Some mock draft analysts out there have Badji even as far as their top 10, but that is a bit of a reach. Badji is a great prospect with limited skill but incredible physical tools. He is a project in which a team will need to invest, but should he fulfill his potential, the Grizzlies would have an absolute steal. He is a great shot-blocker and rim protector, a great rebounder, and he has some resemblance of offensive skill underneath the basket.
Obviously, he will need a ton of work and time to get to a better stage of his game. Mentally, foremost, due to the fact that he is still a young, raw prospect and he will need experience in the European leagues to mature a bit. In terms of his game, his skills are still unpolished. He is a poor free-throw shooter, a poor ball-handler, and his offensive arsenal is limited to put-backs and alley-oops. Of course, there is time and the Grizzlies always have the option to let him stay in Europe for a year before bringing him over.
NBA comparison: Tacko Fall
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