2022 NBA Lottery Mock Draft 1.0: The Orlando Magic Select Chet Holmgren

The 2022 NBA Draft is right around the corner, and now we finally know what the selection order is following Tuesday’s thrilling lottery results. For the first time since 2004 when they drafted Dwight Howard, the Orlando Magic secured the No. 1 overall pick.

So much intrigue across the board for this strong draft class, which actually begins up top with Orlando. Will the Magic decide to draft Gonzaga big Chet Holmgren or Auburn scoring wing Jabari Smith?

Let’s go ahead and dive into Lottery Mock Draft 1.0, which does not include trades this time around as the dust continues to settle.

1. Orlando Magic: Chet Holmgren, Big, Gonzaga

The Orlando Magic hit the jackpot here, especially with the way their front office prioritizes freakish length and athleticism. Chet Holmgren checks every single box for the Magic’s front office, and he’s the centerpiece of an already blossoming young core in Orlando: Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr., Markelle Fultz, Jonathan Isaac.

While it will be debated heavily over the next month-plus over who Orlando should select, it will be way too tempting to not envision the potential ceiling outcome for Holmgren. Able to slot in alongside Carter forming an elite defensive frontcourt tandem, Holmgren’s untapped upside could make him a dangerous two-way presence soon in the Association.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jabari Smith, Wing, Auburn

While the Thunder just missed out on the top prize, one that’s continued to escape them through an expansive rebuild, Jabari Smith enters Day 1 in Oklahoma City as the No. 1 scorer. Yes, even over young star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Smith has an unbelievable offensive scoring package at only 18 years old. With an effortless shooting stroke and a relentless two-way motor, superstar ceiling is an easy outcome to imagine for Smith.

Landing with the Thunder would be an ideal situation for Smith, too. SGA and Smith would be a dynamite scoring duo, but don’t forget about Australian playmaker Josh Giddey and versatile wing Luguentz Dort. The cupboard isn’t barren in Oklahoma City anymore. If anything, Smith could be the puzzle to finally lead the Thunder towards Play-In contention as soon as next season. A perfect fit between prospect and team here, if it does indeed come to fruition.

3. Houston Rockets: Paolo Banchero, Wing/Big, Duke

This was advertised as a three-player draft for franchise-altering prospects — personally, I have four — but the Rockets snagging Paolo Banchero at No. 3 overall would be an immediate home run. Houston’s extremely young core headlined by Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun showed intriguing flashes last season.

Throwing Banchero into the mix really begins to help accelerate the Rockets’ vision post-James Harden era. Banchero has the ingredients in place to be a consistent 20-plus point per game scorer, potentially as a rookie within the Rockets’ fast-paced attack. With more flexibility down the road coming from the Harden trade, Houston having a strong nucleus in place for the long-term is a good spot to be in.

4. Sacramento Kings: Shaedon Sharpe, Wing, Kentucky

The mystery man from the 2022 NBA Draft has begun to see his name skyrocket up draft boards already. After checking the boxes with his measurables during the NBA Draft Combine, Kentucky’s Shaedon Sharpe is in line to be a top-five selection. Sharpe didn’t log a single minute with the Wildcats as a one-and-done freshman due to eligibility issues. However, it’s hard to deny the physical attributes Sharpe brings to the table as an athletic score-first prospect.

Reportedly checking in with an all-time record 49-inch vertical jump, Sharpe’s stock should only continue to soar during the private workout process leading up to the draft. Sacramento jumped up two spots in the lottery, so now it’s time to capitalize on it. De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis are their locked-in faces of the franchise, so who best fits alongside them? If Sharpe comes as advertised with two-way intangibles and a true potential to be a top-flight scorer, Sacramento seems poised to pull the trigger. The Kings need to hit on a true game-changing superstar. Sharpe offers that unique opportunity to strike gold, plus his fit with Fox and Sabonis is another strong positive.

5. Detroit Pistons: Jaden Ivey, Ball Handler, Purdue

Although the Pistons dropped in the lottery, they still acquire who I believe is a franchise game-changer in Jaden Ivey to pair with 2021 No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham. Fireworks will happen in the Motor City, because Ivey’s athleticism and jaw-dropping scoring ability draw instant comparisons to names such as Ja Morant and Russell Westbrook. Unlike those two entering the NBA, Ivey feels more well-refined on the perimeter as a shooter.

Also, his defensive tenacity is hard to ignore when watching Purdue throughout this season. Ivey checks all the necessary boxes to be a star in the Association, so Detroit arguably having two in their backcourt is a massive win for the organization. The Pistons instantly become one of my NBA League Pass teams for the 2021-22 season thanks to Ivey and Cunningham.

6. Indiana Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin, Wing, Arizona

The first curveball of the draft arrives in 1.0. After diving more and more into the tape watching Bennedict Mathurin, he’s one of my favorite prospects. With a high baseline floor thanks to his defensive versatility and three-point shooting ability, Mathurin also offers star-like qualities that can be molded with proper development. Indiana has not selected this high in the draft since 1989.

If the Pacers want to avoid a long-term rebuild in a small market, swinging for the fences with Mathurin feels like the best bet left on the board. Indiana’s young core would now consistent of Mathurin, Tyrese Haliburton, Chris Duarte, and Isaiah Jackson. Not too bad, and expect to see the Pacers be very aggressive once draft night officially arrives. It wouldn’t be stunning to see Indiana parlay some of their veteran players into more draft capital (ex: Myles Turner, Malcolm Brogdon, Buddy Hield).

7. Portland Trail Blazers: Keegan Murray, Wing, Iowa

The time is now for the Trail Blazers to field a winner around superstar point guard Damian Lillard. With trade rumors continuing to swirl around Lillard thanks to Portland’s lack of progression over the last few years, how can the Blazers take advantage on draft night? Luckily for them in Lottery Mock Draft 1.0, one of the safest prospects falls right into their lap at No. 7 overall.

Although he will be 22 years old as a rookie, Keegan Murray offers an immediate winning floor that instantly translates. Thanks to his three-level scoring alongside underrated defense, Murray will be a plug-and-play starter wherever he is selected. Murray within the Blazers is an intriguing thought, especially with Lillard and Anfernee Simons in the backcourt. Best player available is the easy choice for Portland.

8. New Orleans Pelicans (via Los Angeles Lakers): AJ Griffin, Wing, Duke

The Anthony Davis trade is the gift that keeps on giving for New Orleans. Davis’ departure led to some lottery luck in Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram developing into a star, and endless amounts of future draft capital to use to improve the roster. If Williamson returns to full health after missing the entire 2021-22 season, New Orleans will be a playoff team with all of their talent amassed together.

Adding AJ Griffin as the sprinkle on top of an already impressive rotation is an ideal situation for New Orleans. Griffin and Trey Murphy III are the perfect yin-yang wing combination you would want next to Williamson. Griffin is the best shooter in this year’s draft, plus has the two-way upside to be a game-changing starter on the next level.

9. San Antonio Spurs: Jalen Duren, Big, Memphis

San Antonio needs to find a star. Dejounte Murray is an excellent foundational piece to the core long-term, but is he a needle-mover for consistent winning? Outside of Murray, the Spurs have a lot of prospects aimed more towards hitting their stride a year or two down the road. The Spurs were hopeful to move up, but landing at No. 9 overall still provides them an opportunity to acquire a former top high school recruit.

Jalen Duren ranked ahead of most of his draft classmates in the high school rankings with dominant two-way ability. In Memphis, Duren flew under the radar because of the Tigers’ disappointing campaign under head coach Penny Hardaway. In San Antonio, Duren would land in the best-case situation to see his enticing ceiling realized. Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich being able to mold a ball of clay like Duren has to be such a tantalizing thought right now.

10. Washington Wizards: Dyson Daniels, Ball Handler, G League Ignite

Another relatively unknown prospect to the general NBA fan is an Australian-born prospect named Dyson Daniels. Taking the G League route with the Ignite this past season, Daniels displayed NBA-readiness that helped boost his stock along the way. Offering the ability to be a lead guard in any system, Daniels can be an all-around piece to an offensive puzzle.

While his three-point shooting needs to develop to be a more consistent offensive threat, the baseline of traits is there for Daniels to hit in the right situation. Washington already has tapped into the G League Ignite pipeline last season with Isaiah Todd.

11. New York Knicks: Johnny Davis, Ball Handler, Wisconsin

One of my favorite fits of this entire mock draft revolves around Johnny Davis being able to play his NBA home games in Madison Square Garden. Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau is going to fall in love with Davis’ game during the pre-draft process, I guarantee it. Davis had a prolific season for Wisconsin averaging 19.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game.

Efficiency is an issue with Davis, but he carried an immense workload during his sophomore year for the Badgers. In New York, Davis and R.J. Barrett would form another fun young backcourt to monitor moving forward. Davis checks the box of a win-now prospect, but also someone who could be a consistent scorer on the NBA level immediately.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Los Angeles Clippers): Jeremy Sochan, Wing, Baylor

Oklahoma City already hit a grand slam in Lottery Mock Draft 1.0 with Jabari Smith at No. 2 overall, so how about rounding it out with a high-floor wing in Jeremy Sochan? Another prospect who saw his stock rise immensely throughout this season, Sochan was a valuable weapon for the Baylor Bears.

Sochan will be able to guard wings and bigs on the next level, but his shooting needs to improve to become a more well-rounded rotation player. Where there’s no immediate expectations in Oklahoma City, Sochan feels like a Sam Presti-type selection.

13. Charlotte Hornets: Tari Eason, Wing, LSU

Being a microwave scorer for LSU, Eason enters the NBA as one of the more cleaner prospects to evaluate. Averaging 16.9 points in only 24.4 minutes per game, Eason is a certified bucket-getter who offers the ideal size to translate immediately. There’s also some confidence in Eason becoming a more consistent perimeter threat, evidence by logging an impressive 80.3% clip on free throw attempts.

For the Hornets, Eason enters into almost the exact same role he just left with the Tigers. It’s simple, just go score the basketball as many times as you can. Eason playing in a run-and-gun system with LaMelo Ball would be so much fun to watch.

14. Cleveland Cavaliers: Malaki Branham, Wing, Ohio State

Cleveland stays in the state of Ohio with the lottery selection they never actually envision having. After trading for Caris LeVert in February for a protected first-round pick, Indiana now has to wait until 2023 with the Cavaliers shockingly missing the playoffs. The Cavs take full advantage at No. 14 with Ohio State’s Malaki Branham, who immediately bolsters the guard/wing rotation.

Branham shot 41.6% from three-point range, so he would quickly find a spot in the Cavaliers’ rotation. Add in the fact that Branham just turned 19 years old, the upside here is hard to ignore on the former Buckeye.