2022-23 NBA Mock Draft

The NBA draft is finally here! Well, it’s still a day away but draft season has been upon us for quite some time now, with NBA teams who didn’t make the playoffs going over draft stuff for the better part of the last two months. Since I started my research on this year’s draft class, I believe like most of the media at this point that this is a four-player draft with Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero, Jabari Smith Jr. and Jaden Ivey, in that order. Beyond them however, I think there are a lot of good potential starters and role players going deep into the first round, and possibly a couple potential all-stars beyond those top four guys.

In doing this first round mock draft, I will say that I swung back and forth on how I wanted to approach it. I ended up going with how I believe the draft will shake up, but I didn’t end up mocking trades since that can get very out there, very fast. I did however talk about which teams may end up traded up or out of their draft slot, and who teams moving up could end up targeting. With a lot of uncertainty in this class as the draft moves into the mid-to-late part of the first round, there could easily be some guys who I don’t have mentioned on here who could hear their name called.

I did my best in following reports, statistics, workouts and fit throughout this process, and I believe my mock takes all of those things into consideration with each pick. Now that the stage has been set and the draft is just over a day away, with the first pick in the 2022-23 NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic select:

1. Orlando Magic: Jabari Smith Jr. | F | Auburn

Last Season’s Key Stats: 16.9 PPG | 7.4 RPG | 42% 3P%

Strengths: Jabari Smith Jr. is the best shooter in this class. With his 6’10” size, he has the ability to pull up and shoot over the defense, and evidenced by his 42% from deep, he can hit from all over the floor. His on-ball defense is also terrifying. His hands are always active, but he doesn’t draw a ton of fouls (2.1 FPG). He’s also a solid rebounder and connective passer.

Weaknesses: There are a few more knocks in his game than a prototypical #1 overall pick. For his size, he isn’t the best rim protector, despite averaging 1 BPG in college. His handle isn’t the best, as evident by his inability to go more than two dribbles into a pull-up. Probably the worst knock on his game is his inability to finish at the rim. He’s not the best at finishing through contact, and the fact that he almost shot the same percentage from the field (42.9%) as he did from three leaves a little cause for concern.

Overall Fit: At the end of the day, the skills that Jabari Smith Jr. possesses is one that every NBA team could use. A massive 3-and-D forward who can shoot over the top of the defense isn’t something that comes around very often. And that’s just his floor. If/when he develops his handle a bit and bulks up his body, he’ll be able to get his shot wherever he wants it and put the ball through the basket. For the Magic, he is an ideal fit alongside Wendell Carter Jr. in the frontcourt because he’ll be able to do most of the dirty work down low for Smith to thrive as a perimeter threat on both ends. On offense, he’ll be another great pick-and-pop target for the Magic’s plethora of young guards and create space for Carter Jr. to go to work on the block. And on defense, any lineup where the frontcourt is Jonathan Isaac, Smith Jr. and Carter Jr./Mo Bamba would be able to defend everything.

Other Potential Targets Available: Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero

2. Oklahoma City Thunder: Chet Holmgren | C | Gonzaga

Last Season’s Key Stats: 14.1 PPG | 9.9 RPG | 3.7 BPG

Strengths: Chet is another one of those “unicorn” types. As a center, he can stretch the floor all the way out to the three-point line (39% 3P%). He’s also one of the best rim protectors coming out of college in recent memory, evident by his 3.7 BPG and his great defensive instincts. Holmgren’s a good finisher and free throw shooter, meaning he doesn’t have to go to the bench late in close games. He’s also a decent switch defender on pick and rolls, with quick feet to be able to chase guards on the perimeter in a pinch. And, as expected for a 7’0” guy, he’s a great rebounder.

Weaknesses: Chet doesn’t have a whole lot of weaknesses. Most trying to point one out is that his slight frame (195lbs) won’t survive in the NBA. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt on that one because he has no significant injury history to persuade me otherwise. He does foul a decent amount (2.7 FPG), and he fouled out in both the second round of the NCAA Tournament and the Sweet 16.

Overall Fit: I don’t buy Chet’s weaknesses as reasons why he shouldn’t be viewed as the #1 prospect in this year’s draft. He has all the talent and tools to succeed in the modern NBA and would fit beautifully in Oklahoma City. Head coach Mark Daigneault likes to spread the floor and give his guards space to work with, as well as get out in transition. Chet can help give a significant boost to both those identities at the center spot and could play off both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey in the pick-and-roll/pick-and-pop game. Along with everything he would help unlock on offense for the Thunder, they can finally get their defensive anchor that they’ve sorely needed ever since Serge Ibaka left.

Other Potential Targets Available: Jaden Ivey, Paolo Banchero

3. Houston Rockets: Paolo Banchero | F/C | Duke

Last Season’s Key Stats: 17.2 PPG | 7.8 RPG | 3.2 APG

Strengths: Banchero is an offensive hub unto himself all over the court. In many other drafts, he would be viewed as a #1 pick and potentially still could be, although I doubt Orlando wants to play both him and Carter Jr. together. He can score from just about anywhere, even demonstrating some range from three throughout the year (33.8%). You can also run your offense through him in the half court with the way he can pass the ball. Banchero’s also a solid rebounder, it just depends on where you’re playing him on offense. But wherever that may be, he’ll be able to create his own shot, or a better one for one of his teammates.

Weaknesses: The big knock on Banchero’s game is his defense. Sometimes he would take plays off, which is normal when carrying the massive offensive load that Banchero was. He’s not a great rim protector or perimeter defender, which means if he was switched onto a guard in the pick-and-roll game, he may get exposed a little more frequent than you’d like.

Overall Fit: The fit with the Rockets is very questionable from a defensive perspective, but man, their offense would really take off. Between Jalen Green, Banchero and Alperen Sengun, the pick-and-roll game would be nasty. Sengun and Banchero would also form one of the better passing frontcourts in the league from day one. The defense would be tough to watch, but from Houston’s point of view, they’re getting the best player left on the board who can become another offensive focal point for a team that is severely lacking playmakers.

Other Potential Targets Available: Jaden Ivey

4. Sacramento Kings: Keegan Murray | F | Iowa

Last Season’s Key Stats: 23.5 PPG | 8.7 RPG | 39.8% 3P%

Strengths: Murray was 4^th in scoring average in the nation last year with his 23.5 PPG. That was a result of his work in transition and ability to hit shots from all over the court. He’s a great finisher when going to the basket and shot the lights out at times from deep. Murray’s also a good defender, whether that be down low or on the perimeter, evident by his combined 3.2 steals and blocks per game. He’s also a high motor guy and that translated to getting easy buckets and rebounding.

Weaknesses: Murray is a little bit of a gambler on defense, often seen trying to intercept a pass or get a little handsy with his defensive assignment. This can obviously cause the defense to break down and have to recover in other areas, which isn’t the position you want to put your team in. He also didn’t look to pass all that much, but that might’ve been more because he was the guy Iowa wanted taking all the shots.

Overall Fit: Look, I first want to say I’m not sure the Kings will be making this pick with their front office reportedly trying to get in the playoffs ASAP. This might make them want to trade up for Chet to pair with Domantas Sabonis or trade down to acquire better veteran win-now help. Since we’re not projecting trades in this mock, the Kings get the best of both worlds here at #4. While many view Jaden Ivey as the better prospect, myself included, if the Kings don’t get the offer they’re looking for, they’ll probably take the guy they feel will fit them more easily right now, which would be Murray. With both De’Aaron Fox and Davion Mitchell already in the backcourt, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense for them to add another guard if they are trying to compete immediately. Murray would give them another versatile forward next to Harrison Barnes that can score at will and take some of the harder defensive assignments right away. With new head coach Mike Brown in tow, I’m sure he’ll make sure Murray isn’t taking unnecessary gambles on the defensive side that cause the team defense to collapse.

Other Potential Targets Available: Jaden Ivey

5. Detroit Pistons: Jaden Ivey | G | Purdue

Last Season’s Key Stats: 17.3 PPG | 4.9 RPG | 3.1 APG

Strengths: Ivey’s been compared to young superstar Ja Morant a lot during his last season at Purdue. A lot of that is attributed to his athletic profile, which contains a unique blend of strength and speed that doesn’t come around all that much. That athletic profile is what helps him get to the rim at will and finish through contact. He can get by just about any type of defender and if there’s an intimidating shot blocker at the rim, he can either finish through the contact or has a decent mid-range game that he can look to.

Weaknesses: His defense isn’t the best, but his physical tools should help him become an average defender in due time. His three-point shot isn’t lights out, but its good enough to keep the defense honest (35.8%). For any team trying to make him into a point guard since it is a weak point guard draft, his passing will need some time to develop before he’s capable of leading an offense.

Overall Fit: Thankfully in Detroit, they can play Ivey straight to his strengths as a scoring combo guard next to rising star and former #1 overall Cade Cunningham. Cade plays solid defense, a more methodical and technical offensive game and does a tremendous job getting his teammates involved. While the shooting of this backcourt wouldn’t be their biggest strength, both players still have potential to become good shooters, and they’re already capable enough that defenses will have to cover them on the outside. Having Isaiah Stewart down low helps on both sides of the court as well for this pairing. On offense, he can set on and off ball screens to create some space for both Ivey and Cunningham to get to work. He’s also a solid roll guy in the pick-and-roll with a developing three-point shot to become a pick-and-pop threat as well. On defense, he’ll be ready to disrupt the guys who get past Ivey if he can’t recover in time. No matter how you view the fit, Detroit would have their potential all-star backcourt for years to come.

Other Potential Targets Available: N/A

6. Indiana Pacers: Dyson Daniels | G | G League Ignite

Last Season’s Key Stats: 11.8 PPG | 6.9 RPG | 4.7 APG

Strengths: Dyson Daniels is good at just about everything. He’s a 6’7” guard with probably the best playmaking ability in this draft, to go along with the best guard defender in this draft, shown by his 2 SPG. Daniels is also a good rebounder for his position. He already has the ability to find teammates in their spots and get them high quality looks without them doing most of the work. He’s also great in transition, whether it is him finishing at the rim or leading the break and finding the open teammate.

Weaknesses: The one thing Daniels isn’t very good at is shooting the ball, which is why he “falls” as far as he does. Shooting is the premium skill in today’s modern NBA offense, and most teams want all five players on the court to be able to stretch the floor in some capacity. His shot isn’t broken, and it did start going in a lot more frequently to end the year with G League Ignite, but it is something to be aware of since he shot only 30% from deep.

Overall Fit: While his spacing within a Rick Carlisle offensive system might not be what the Pacers are looking for, I believe the playmaking ability of Daniels and Tyrese Haliburton would be enough to entice Indiana. They would immediately form one of the best young backcourts in the league, especially with their playmaking and defensive versatility. Haliburton also does a tremendous job shooting the ball from the outside, as does center Myles Turner, so they could hide Daniels’ one main weakness until it improves.

Other Potential Targets Available: Bennedict Mathurin, Johnny Davis, Shaedon Sharpe

7. Portland Trail Blazers: Shaedon Sharpe | G | Kentucky

Last Season’s Key Stats: N/A

Strengths: It’s tough to make these calls with such little film on Shaedon Sharpe, who didn’t end up playing a single game at Kentucky as a freshman. I’ll speak on what I’ve seen and heard though. Sharpe has the potential to be an elite shot creator at 6’6” with loads of athleticism at the wing spot. He’s also flashed some playmaking upside going back to his high school tape. Sharpe has also shown an innate ability to cut to the basket and finish in transition with his athleticism.

Weaknesses: His defense is suspect, but the assumption there is that his size and athleticism will help him become at least an average defender. Probably the next biggest weakness is the unknown. Since he didn’t play at all at Kentucky, no one really knows what to expect from him, other than the raw tools he displayed at high school, which many people have been able to do if they’re athletically gifted against frankly inferior talent.

Overall Fit: Portland is another spot like Sacramento that would prefer to do a “retooling” rather than a rebuilding. With superstar Damian Lillard coming back following season-ending abdominal surgery, Portland already has their main offensive focal point in place, at least until he requests a trade. The Trail Blazers will want to make the most of his last few prime years by giving him some win-now help. That could lead the organization to target trading out of this spot to a team offering veteran help, most likely in the form of Jerami Grant from the Pistons or OG Anunoby from the Raptors. I do also believe that any team trading up into this spot would be focusing in on one prospect, if not a tiny pool of players remaining, and Sharpe would be one of those players based on his upside alone. If he hits, Sharpe could be one of the most valuable commodities in the league: a playmaking, shot creator who can straight up get buckets.

Other Potential Targets Available: Jalen Duren, Jeremy Sochan, Bennedict Mathurin

8. New Orleans Pelicans: A.J. Griffin | SF | Duke

Last Season’s Key Stats: 10.4 PPG | 49.3% FG% | 44.7% 3P%

Strengths: A.J. Griffin does one thing well but does it at an elite level and that is shoot the ball. Like I said earlier, shooting is one of the most valuable commodities in today’s NBA, and when you shoot nearly 45% from three, you’re going to be one of the higher touted prospects in any draft. That, to go along with his 6’6”, 220lb frame that shows he does have potential on the defensive end, could turn him into a very valuable off the ball scorer and solid defender.

Weaknesses: Being at a university like Duke that consistently has so much offensive firepower, it’s hard to showcase your entire arsenal. With that being said, we didn’t see too much else other than off-ball shooting from Griffin at college. His defensive potential is just that, potential, because his defensive tape did not show much defense at all.

Overall Fit: There’s always going to be room for shooting on any roster, but Griffin fits particularly well on a Pelicans team that is looking to contend right now, as long as former #1 overall pick Zion Williamson sees the court sooner rather than later. With Zion, Brandon Ingram and mid-season trade acquisition C.J. McCollum doing most of the creating on offense, getting a guy who doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective would help unlock the space those stars need to get their own shot. Throw in some defenders in Herb Jones, Jose Alvarado and Jonas Valanciunas, and New Orleans could be a team that makes serious noise next year if they are able to stay healthy.

Other Potential Targets Available: Bennedict Mathurin, Jeremy Sochan

9. San Antonio Spurs: Ousmane Dieng | F | New Zealand Breakers

Last Season’s Key Stats: 8.9 PPG | 3.2 RPG | 40% FG%

Strengths: Dieng is another guy like Sharpe who would be drafted primarily on potential. His 6’10” size and flashes of shot creation and playmaking will make some team in the mid lottery range to take a chance on him. He started to show in the second half of the year his shot might actually be a strength, but you wouldn’t have believed that during the first half of his season. He was also a decent defender throughout the year, and with that frame, if he keeps working at him, he could become scary on that end.

Weaknesses: Like I said, this comes down to believing in Dieng to continue to improve in every facet of his game. He showed flashes of elite playmaking, especially out of the pick-and-roll, but it wasn’t consistent. His shot might’ve come on during the second half of the season, but it was dreadful throughout the beginning of the year. Work ethic and consistency will be key to seeing how far Dieng can come as a basketball player at the NBA level.

Overall Fit: I’m expecting to catch some slack from people about the number of European guys I have going to the Spurs. But the Spurs are in a spot where they need an infusion of all-star-level upside, and Dieng can deliver that. San Antonio also has a great player development staff that will work tirelessly with Ousmane Dieng to make sure he reaches his full potential. The two-way upside a quartet of Dieng, DeJounte Murray, Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell could reach would make the Spurs a scary team down the line, but that’s only if Dieng reaches his full potential. It’s definitely a bet on the organization, but if you were going to bet on one to turn Dieng into a star, there’s not many others that you would take over San Antonio.

Other Potential Targets Available: Jalen Duren, Bennedict Mathurin, Johnny Davis

10. Washington Wizards: Johnny Davis | SG | Wisconsin

Last Season’s Key Stats: 19.7 PPG | 8.2 RPG | 1.2 SPG

Strengths: Davis was thrust into a tough situation at Wisconsin which hurt his numbers a little bit and an ankle injury through his shot off down the stretch. That didn’t stop him from showcasing throughout most of the year how much of an impact he can have on both sides of the court. Davis is one of the best guard defenders in this draft, as well as one of the best rebounding guards in this draft. His motor is relentless, always working to pester the opposing team’s best guard into the worst shot possible. He’s also a good shot creator, and although he only shot 30.6% from three, I believe it was more a product of the system and injury rather than his jumper itself.

Weaknesses: People will point to the jumper and three-point shot being the biggest downfall of Johnny Davis, but in my opinion, I think it will be at least average in the NBA when his teammates can help create more space for him offensively. He isn’t much of a playmaker, but once again, he had nobody to play make for. I think Davis might be one of the few guys in this draft who doesn’t have any significant weakness.

Overall Fit: This could be viewed as a Bradley Beal succession plan or some win-now help for their star scorer. In the event that Beal stays, Beal can take over the playmaking duties at point guard while Davis becomes their shooting guard who takes the opposition’s best offensive backcourt threat on a nightly basis. He can also take some of the scoring load off of Beal, using Beal, Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis as the spacing he needs to operate. While Davis might not have all-star upside, he could be a significant reason Washington finds themselves in a position to be competitive again this upcoming season.

Other Potential Targets Available: Bennedict Mathurin

11. New York Knicks: Mark Williams | C | Duke

Last Season’s Key Stats: 11.2 PPG | 72.1% FG% | 2.8 BPG

Strengths: Williams projects as a high upside role player at the center position who will stay within the confines of his strengths as a player. He was the heart and soul of the Blue Devils’ defense last season, and filled that role admirably, especially without much help from the rest of the starting five. He’s 7’0”, 240lbs with a massive 7’6” wingspan that allowed him to close gaps defensively that other players simply can’t. He was also a high upside finisher (72.1% FG%) and free throw shooter (72.7%), something many of these defensive, rim-running bigs can’t say about themselves.

Weaknesses: While Mark Williams might not be a shooter or ever become one, he’s not going to shoot because he knows that’s not his role, so it won’t do too much damage to the team that he can’t space the floor. He’s also not a playmaker, but many of these kinds of bigs aren’t. His rebounding and back to the basket offense leave a bit to be desired, but those are things that can be worked on.

Overall Fit: This pick is only being made if Mitchell Robinson prices himself out of New York, which could very realistically be the case. Head coach Tom Thibodeau values defense more than maybe any other coach in the NBA. The experience, competition level, defense and shooting percentage Williams’ brings to the table as a rookie could be something that entices even Thibs, who usually doesn’t play rookies. He would give the Knicks a brand-new defensive anchor with more maturity and defensive instincts than Robinson provided. If Robinson does stay, Mathurin becomes the easy pick, and could very well be the pick regardless of Robinson’s status with the team.

Other Potential Targets Available: Bennedict Mathurin

12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jeremy Sochan | F | Baylor

Last Season’s Key Stats: 9.2 PPG | 6.4 RPG | 1.3 SPG

Strengths: Sochan’s draft stock is built entirely around his versatility, mainly on the defensive side. Sochan’s ability to defend positions one through five due to his 6’9”, 230lb frame and great basketball instincts is something that’s coveted by every NBA team. He’s also a great playmaker for a player his size, and does a great job finishing at the rim. His high energy play and motor are just a plus on both sides of the ball but will definitely translate to his defensive ability right away.

Weaknesses: His main weakness is his shooting from distance (29.6% 3P%). Some will say that he might never become an average shooter, but even if he doesn’t, his ability to contribute in every other facet of the game will keep him in the NBA for a long time. But, if Sochan can find a way to start knocking down the outside jumper, then he can go from high quality role player to potential all-star status.

Overall Fit: A defensive frontcourt pairing of Chet Holmgren and Jeremy Sochan would give the Thunder one of the best young defensive frontcourts in the league. Sochan could take the tougher forward matchups while Holmgren becomes the safety net at the rim. Plus, with all the playmaking they would have between Sochan, Giddey and SGA, the offense could come from anywhere at any time, and the defense would remain in a constant state of flux. To combat Sochan’s shooting woes, Holmgren can be the floor spacing big or sit in the dunker spot waiting for Sochan to get him the ball. A core four of Chet, Sochan, SGA and Giddey with a solid 3-and-D wing would give OKC and extremely interesting young core, with a plethora of help on the way through the draft capital general manager Sam Presti has built up.

Other Potential Targets Available: N/A

13. Charlotte Hornets: Bennedict Mathurin | G/F | Arizona

Last Season’s Key Stats: 17.7 PPG | 5.6 RPG | 36.9% 3P%

Strengths: Mathurin has star potential as a two-way guard or wing. He’s 6’6”, 210lbs with loads of shot creation and defensive upside. He has the athleticism to create separation when looking for his shot and has the ability to knock down shots from the outside. Mathurin is also a solid rebounder for his position.

Weaknesses: Mathurin’s not necessarily known for his passing chops, which as a wing or guard, you’d like to see a bit more playmaking from a player of Mathurin’s caliber. Other than that, Mathurin doesn’t have a whole lot of holes in his game, and with his youth and athleticism, people view the playmaking ability as something that can develop down the road with more scoring talent around him.

Overall Fit: Mathurin most likely won’t (and probably shouldn’t) fall past New York at #11, but Charlotte would be thrilled to get him at #13. He would provide another young offensive playmaker next to LaMelo Ball, which he would help take some of the scoring load off of. He would also bring some defensive stability to the backcourt, being able to stay in front of his man or recover to LaMelo’s assignment if he decides to gamble on a steal. If he did get the steal however, Mathurin’s fully capable of getting out on the break and finishing in transition. Mathurin’s off-ball shooting would also be highly valued in Charlotte, where LaMelo or Terry Rozier could drive to the bucket and kick it out to Mathurin for a smooth jumper opportunity. And if it wasn’t already stressed enough, Mathurin has star two-way upside that could help give LaMelo his backcourt teammate for years to come.

Other Potential Targets Available: Jalen Duren

14. Cleveland Cavaliers: Malaki Branham | SG | Ohio State

Last Season’s Key Stats: 13.7 PPG | 41.6% 3P% | 49.8% FG%

Strengths: Coming out of Ohio State with just one season of play, Branham is viewed as a guy you’re taking a bit more of a swing on then some of the other prospects if you’re Cleveland. He’s an offensive weapon with good shooting across the board, evident by his shooting splits of 50%/42%/83%. He’s also a great creator in the pick-and-roll game. And despite becoming more and more of an offensive focal point as the year went on for the Buckeyes, his turnovers remain somewhat low at 1.7 TPG.

Weaknesses: That hot shooting I just mentioned was on low volume so there is some concern whether he’ll be able to keep the same efficiency if his volume increases, which is what you’re hoping for if you’re hoping for taking him in the lottery. His defense is below average to bad at points if you watch his tape, and he struggles to create separation at times due to his lack of burst.

Overall Fit: Within the grand scheme of things, Branham’s fit with Cleveland is a little funky in my mind. He does fit the pick-and-roll scheme they like to run on offense and his is a solid shooter from range, but that low volume scares me a little bit. Along with the fact he isn’t a prominent playmaker or space creator or defender for that matter, I think Cleveland would be overthinking this pick a little based on the type of offense they want to run. However, that’s not to say Branham can’t develop into the type of offensive weapon the Cavs are hoping he can become. That being said, having Caris LeVert and potentially Collin Sexton back on this roster makes me feel like Cleveland already has those types of pieces on the roster. I would much rather see Jalen Williams go here due to his all-around skill set and physical tools, but Cleveland might view it as a bit of a reach, which is why I think you could potentially see a trade back here to snag some value and get another guy you value similarly.

Other Potential Targets Available: Jalen Williams, Ochai Agbaji, Dalen Terry

15. Charlotte Hornets: Jalen Duren | C | Memphis

Last Season’s Key Stats: 12 PPG | 8.1 RPG | 2.1 PBG

Strengths: Duren’s an athletic freak at the center position. He can jump out of the building for lobs, blocks or boards. He also flashed some playmaking upside from the five, which isn’t very common from that spot on the floor. Duren is a great classic rim-runner and rim protector as well.

Weaknesses: He doesn’t shoot the ball (62.5% FT%), which means he doesn’t space the floor, but most teams still like having one athletic big who can run the floor and finish at the rim and be their defensive anchor. Most of the time, teams don’t get lucky enough to have one guy who does all that and shoots the ball from three. He also fouls a decent amount, but that’s something that can be corrected at the next level, a la Jaren Jackson Jr.

Overall Fit: You can’t help but love this pick for Charlotte. They’ve needed a big ever since Al Jefferson left the then-Charlotte Bobcats (sorry Dwight) and they deliver with a super exciting young prospect who can do a lot of different things for you on the floor. His athleticism matches up with the way Charlotte likes to get up and down the court in transition, and can you imagine LaMelo Ball throwing lobs to Jalen Duren and Miles Bridges, if he comes back, on the fast break? That’s one of the most exciting and athletic trios in the NBA. Add in some veteran fillers with #13 overall pick Bennedict Mathurin, and Charlotte’s offseason is off to a terrific start as they look to get back in the playoff picture.

Other Potential Targets Available: N/A

16. Atlanta Hawks: Ochai Agbaji | G/F | Kansas

Last Season’s Key Stats: 18.8 PPG | 5.1 RPG | 40.9% 3P%

Strengths: Ochai Agbaji is your classic 3-and-D player archetype that the NBA just can’t get enough of. He shoots from all over the place on very high volume and made just about 41% of his threes. On defense, he is a solid on-ball defender with enough athleticism to usually stay in front of his guy. He’s an even better off-ball defender, where he gets the chance to showcase his instincts and athleticism, flying all over the court to wherever he is needed.

Weaknesses: Other than his 3-and-D role, Ochai doesn’t offer a whole lot else. He never averaged more than 2 APG during his four-year career at Kansas, he doesn’t create a lot of offense for himself, and he’s not necessarily a defensive playmaker either, with his defense more along the lines of making sure he doesn’t make a dumb mistake.

Overall Fit: Agbaji is one of the “plug-and-play” guys that all playoff teams need. He might not be the highest upside prospect in the draft (in that regard he might be one of the lowest upside prospects), but his floor is among the highest in the draft thanks to his ability to come in and make whichever team drafts him better. In this case, he slots in right beside all-star point guard Trae Young, who is one of the bigger defensive liabilities in the NBA, in large part due to his small stature. Ochai’s big 6’5”, 215lb frame and athleticism will help him take the tougher guard matchup night in and night out so that Trae Young can do what he does best: get buckets. He also makes Trae’s life easier on the offensive side of the ball by bringing some more spacing that will enable Trae to get to the rim easier and if the defense collapses on him, he can kick it out and Ochai will more than likely nail the open jumper.

Other Potential Targets Available: Tari Eason, Jalen Williams

17. Houston Rockets: Tari Eason | F | LSU

Last Season’s Key Stats: 16.9 PPG | 6.6 RPG | 1.9 SPG

Strengths: Eason’s game is predicated on his defensive versatility and upside. He’s one of the best defensive playmakers to come out of college since Matisse Thybulle, and honestly probably the best since that draft. He averaged 3 total blocks and steals per game and was able to defend forwards and even some centers in certain matchups. With his defensive playmaking comes lots of transition opportunities, where Eason is able to push the ball and finish strong at the rim. He’s also an above average free throw shooter at 80.3%.

Weaknesses: For all that defensive playmaking talk, Tari Eason is definitely a gambling man. His hands are very active, sometimes to a fault, which leads to bad fouls or the defense to break down, allowing the opposing offense to get an easy bucket. He also isn’t the best floor stretcher, shooting 35.6% from deep, but if that number stays around where it is when moving to NBA distance, it’ll be enough to keep the defense honest. He’s also a non-factor when it comes to getting his own shot or playmaking for others.

Overall Fit: Houston’s new lineup that would consist of Banchero, Green and Sengun needs some defense badly. While Eason’s defense isn’t the most lockdown of all the prospects in this class, his versatility on that end of the floor along with his ability to make plays on that side of the ball would be welcomed in Houston. That aforementioned offensive trio would love to be able to push the ball a bit and showcase their athleticism, and Tari would just create even more opportunities to do just that. And Eason wouldn’t be thrust into a role where he has to do a whole lot in the half court setting. He would just need to fill the “connector” role and keep the ball moving while taking the open shots the defense will give him once their drawn to those other three’s ability to get their own offense.

Other Potential Targets Available: Dalen Terry, TyTy Washington Jr.

18. Chicago Bulls: E.J. Liddell | PF/C | Ohio State

Last Season’s Key Stats: 19.4 PPG | 7.9 RPG | 2.6 BPG

Strengths: Liddell does a lot of good things on both sides of the ball. He can create his own offense in the block or run a solid pick-and-pop where he flashes to the perimeter for an outside shot (37.4% 3P%). Or he can be used as an offensive hub where he has the ability to find the open man on the perimeter or hit a cutter flying in from the backside. On defense, Liddell really flashed some serious rim protection skills that we haven’t seen out of him before this year. He’s also a high energy rebounder on both sides of the court.

Weaknesses: A couple things Liddell is not going to do all that well for you are switch in pick-and-roll coverage, where he can sometimes get exposed a little too often if the rest of the Buckeyes’ defense was late to react. He’s also not going to try to create his own shot because while his passing may be underrated, his handle isn’t too tight. He’s also a little undersized for a PF/C role at 6’7”, but his 240lb frame and high motor have more than made up for that so far.

Overall Fit: The Bulls were playing people like Javonte Green and Troy Brown Jr. at the four last year whenever Patrick Williams needed a breather. They also didn’t have a viable backup center, and Tristan Thompson isn’t going to get any better. Liddell can be Chicago’s first big off the bench, and he brings the versatility to do just about whatever the Bulls would need out of him. Assuming Chicago runs out a starting lineup like Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine (if he comes back), DeMar DeRozan, Patrick Williams and Nikola Vucevic, that would give them a bench with Alex Caruso, Cobi White, Ayo Dosunmu and Liddell with filler pieces surrounding them. That would be a very solid nine-man rotation that would give them the depth they lacked down low last season. Liddell could also be used as insurance if injuries hit the team hard again like they did last season and start at either the four or the five.

Other Potential Targets Available: Jalen Williams

19. Minnesota Timberwolves: TyTy Washington Jr. | G | Kentucky

Last Season’s Key Stats: 12.5 PPG | 3.9 APG | 35% 3P%

Strengths: Washington sort of fits the mold of some past players at Kentucky where, because there was always so much talent on the floor, he didn’t always get to showcase his game to the fullest extent. When he did, he showed that he can be a crafty passer and has some serious shot making capability. He’s also a decent on-ball defender with some pretty active hands.

Weaknesses: TyTy’s weaknesses kind of contradict his strengths to an extent. A lot of it has to do with consistency and the types of lineups Kentucky was using with more than one non-floor spacer on the court at most times, but he couldn’t find a way to overcome those difficulties. So, while he did display some nice passes here and there, it was rather inconsistent. He’s also not the best outside shooter shown by his 3P% above, and his finishing leaves a little to be desired.

Overall Fit: This is kind of like the Knicks pick in a way where they took Mark Williams to replace Mitchell Robinson. While D’Angelo Russell isn’t a free agent, he has been rumored in trade talks and hasn’t shown to be the player he was in Brooklyn in Minnesota. Unlike New York’s pick, I think regardless of what happens with Russell that Washington could still be the pick. He’s one of the best point guards in this class (saying more about the class than Washington, but still) that can provide a lot of what Russell did with a little extra passing and defense along the way. He probably wouldn’t step right in for Russell, but I can totally see a scenario where TyTy has the starting job by the end of the season. He would also be on a much cheaper deal than Russell, and that could mean Minnesota would be able to use Russell’s massive expiring contract as a trade chip that would certainly have some worth.

Other Potential Targets Available: Dalen Terry, MarJon Beauchamp

20. San Antonio Spurs: Nikola Jovic | F | Mega Bemax

Last Season’s Key Stats: 11.3 PPG | 4.3 RPG | 3.3 APG

Strengths: While Jovic most likely won’t end up with the type of career that fellow Serbian Nikola Jokic has, he still has some intriguing skills. For a 6’11” forward, he has a tight handle and good passing and vision. He has a solid shot from outside with a quick, high release point that makes it tough to defend. He fits the prototypical Serbian NBA player profile in the fact he’s tough, smart and versatile on offense as a ball handler and shooter.

Weaknesses: Jovic definitely needs to improve his body to get it ready for the punishment that the NBA can bring to weak links on defense. He isn’t uber athletic for a forward and in today’s NBA without a solid frame and physical tools to work with or some semblance of unique athleticism, it’s tough to become a valuable player who plays legitimate minutes on a contending team.

Overall Fit: Once again, another European prospect for San Antonio. Once again, the player fits the profile of what they need. The Spurs lack upside at both forward positions other than Keldon Johnson. Today’s NBA is all about whether you have stars on the wings that can create their own offense or create offense for others. Ousmane Dieng fit both profiles in terms of his 100% outcome. Jovic is a bit more pinched into a box due to his frame and athletic composition, but he still possesses some of the skills needed to succeed. With San Antonio’s stellar player development staff, Jovic will have time to work on his body and get it ready for the NBA and get a feel for how the game is played at its highest level.

Other Potential Targets Available: Jalen Williams, Jake LaRavia

21. Denver Nuggets: Jalen Williams | G/F | Santa Clara

Last Season’s Key Stats: 18 PPG | 4.4 RPG | 4.2 APG

Strengths: Jalen Williams is one of the more rounded prospects in this year’s draft. He’s got good size at 6’6”, 200lbs with a humongous 7’2” wingspan which helps him be a solid defender. He knows how and when to score or pass on offense, both with relative efficiency (51%/40%/81% with only 2.1 TPG). He’s also a decent rebounder for his position.

Weaknesses: The knocks on Jalen Williams are hard to find, so we’ll nitpick a little bit. He’s an older prospect who’s not uber athletic, which somewhat limits his upside. He didn’t play against top tier competition at Santa Clara, but when he did, he excelled (game versus St. Mary’s or when he put Holmgren on skates VS. Gonzaga).

Overall Fit: Denver’s roster is about to get extremely expensive assuming Jokic gets the supermax extension this summer. They’ll officially have three max players on the books with Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., which means they’ll need to find ways to fill out this roster as cheaply as possible, but also with players that can help them win now. Jalen Williams fits that bill and solves a shooting guard slot that has been in flux the past few seasons with Will Barton regressing and everyone as a unit getting hurt. Not only can Williams come in right away and be a solid two-way contributor, but his shooting, shot creation and playmaking will only get better as he learns to play off the star offensive trio. I’m not sure he’ll last this far with him being one of draft season’s biggest risers, but if he does, the Nuggets should pounce all over him and figure out their need for a defensive wing with pick #30.

Other Potential Targets Available: MarJon Beauchamp

22. Memphis Grizzlies: Dalen Terry | G | Arizona

Last Season’s Key Stats: 8 PPG | 4.8 RPG | 3.9 APG

Strengths: Dalen Terry has been another one of the biggest winners of draft season as he’s been able to fully demonstrate his game in workouts instead of playing off star teammate Bennedict Mathurin at Arizona. He’s a swiss army knife type guy who provides a little bit of everything on the court. His 6’7”, 200lb frame and good defensive instincts make him one of the better guard defenders in this draft. Terry is also a guy who can set up his teammates, shoot the ball well (50%/36%/74%) and rebound well for his position.

Weaknesses: He might not have all-star upside, but reason Terry has been a big riser over the past few weeks is because his role projects very nicely at the NBA level. He doesn’t have a whole lot of holes in his game. His shooting was on low volume due to him playing with Mathurin, and there’s a little concern about his three-point shot as a whole, but I think it will be fine.

Overall Fit: With the Grizzlies being as deep as just about any team in the NBA, they have the luxury to take guys to fill bench needs or take massive swings on high-upside prospects. This is more filling the need that may come up if Tyus Jones ends up leaving Memphis in free agency. Terry could fill in nicely off the bench with De’Anthony Melton to form one of the best backup defensive backcourts in the league. Even if Tyus Jones stays, I still feel like this could be the pick based on Memphis believing in his size and overall skill set translating very well to a decent sized role on their squad. Terry would also fit in with the Grizzlies culture of toughness and grit they’ve established over the years. If they did want to swing however, I believe the pick would be Jaden Hardy.

Other Potential Targets Available: Jaden Hardy, MarJon Beauchamp, Patrick Baldwin Jr.

23. Philadelphia 76ers: MarJon Beauchamp | F | G League Ignite

Last Season’s Key Stats: 15.1 PPG | 6.3 RPG | 1.4 SPG

Strengths: Most of what Beauchamp brings in terms of his immediate package comes as a defender and rebounder (6.3 RPG). His size (6’6”, 200lbs), wingspan (7’0”) and athleticism help him follow wings around on the perimeter, and he’s also a solid team defender, especially as a help defender. He can also be a secondary creator for his team, with a little bit of a handle, and he also displayed the ability to find the open guy on the court, especially out in transition.

Weaknesses: Beauchamp’s weaknesses stem from his shooting. He only shot 28.6% from three last season but shot alright from the line (72% FT%) to make you think he might be able to improve in that area. He also isn’t the best at finishing through contact, but that should correct itself once he gets with NBA teams and starts to further develop his frame and add some more strength.

Overall Fit: Philly is reportedly shopping this pick along with Matisse Thybulle to create salary room to pursue win-now free agents like P.J. Tucker. If I was Philly, Tucker definitely makes more sense to this roster than a rookie. However, with no trades being predicted in this mock, why not get a guy who can potentially become that, with a little more youth and would come a whole lot cheaper. A lineup consisting of Beauchamp, Thybulle and Embiid in the frontcourt followed by Harden and Maxey in the backcourt brings enough of everything to be good enough to compete. It would also allow Tobias Harris, if he stays put in Philly, to come off the bench, where the 76ers have needed more punch from for as long as I can remember. MarJon isn’t going to come in and start right away for a contending team, but he definitely brings another added element to a contender that can help diversify some lineups.

Other Potential Targets Available: Jake LaRavia, Christian Braun

24. Milwaukee Bucks: Jake LaRavia | F | Wake Forest

Last Season’s Key Stats: 14.6 PPG | 6.6 RPG | 3.7 APG

Strengths: Jake LaRavia is viewed as one of the best “connector” pieces in this year’s draft class. He does everything well but doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective. His shooting lines of 56%/38%/78% show that he can be a catch and shoot threat, and if the defense closes in on him, he has great vision and passing for a forward and is able to find the open guy. His defense is also solid as both an on-ball and off-ball defender, although he is viewed more as a team defender than your primary point of attack guy.

Weaknesses: LaRavia isn’t the most athletic player and doesn’t have the best handle, both of which limit his upside. Assuming nobody draft’s him for a high usage role, he shouldn’t need either of those things to be a successful role player on a contending team.

Overall Fit: Fit will be a massive thing for LaRavia when he gets drafted. With his draft range not being until the “contenders tier” of draft picks though,  he should be able to fit in anywhere as a solid connecting piece who can do a lot of things well. In Milwaukee, his skill set would fit in extremely well next to Giannis, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton. All he would have to do is keep the ball moving and shoot the shots the defense gives him. He would also be an upgrade on the defensive side of the ball as a wing who can guard perimeter players, unlike Brook Lopez or Bobby Portis, who are mainly paint-defending bigs.

Other Potential Targets Available: Blake Wesley

25. San Antonio Spurs: Ismael Kamagate | C | Paris Basketball

Last Season’s Key Stats: 11.2 PPG | 6.5 RPG | 1.6 BPG

Strengths: Kamagate is probably still a few years away from being a legit contributor at the NBA level, but he does already possess some valuable traits. On offense, he’s pretty typical for a big. He’s a good roll man in the pick-and-roll and is a great athlete at the center spot who knows where to be on the court on offense most of the time. He’s a consistent lob threat as well. On defense, he has good size (6’11”, 230lbs with a 7’3” wingspan) and he’s also a good athlete, with very quick feet that help him deter and block shots around the rim.

Weaknesses: His offensive game remains a work in progress when it comes to his passing, shooting and post-up game. He also needs to add some more strength to be able to compete with NBA bigs. Also, despite his quick feet, he isn’t a very switchable defender at this point in time.

Overall Fit: Three for three on European players ending up in San Antonio. While I don’t expect it to go this way necessarily, I do believe all three mock selections fit what San Antonio wants to do on both sides of the ball. The Spurs have been rumored to potentially take a center at #9, but they still have Jakob Poeltl under contract for one more season. So, I believe they should target high upside wings with their early selections and then draft a developmental center at #25. I also don’t believe that Popovich would want to have three rookies in his rotation as he tries to compete for potentially the last year of his coaching career. Using this pick as sort of a draft and stash move allows them to develop Kamagate throughout his rookie year and not have to force another rookie into Popovich’s rotation.

Other Potential Targets Available: Patrick Baldwin Jr.

26. Houston Rockets: Jaden Hardy | G | G League Ignite

Last Season’s Key Stats: 19.1 PPG | 4.3 RPG | 3.6 APG

Strengths: Hardy is probably the biggest high-upside swing left at this point in the draft, due to his immense offensive game. Hardy showed some flashy passes and ability to get his teammates the ball in the right spot down the stretch for the G League Ignite last season. His biggest trait comes with his shooting and scoring ability though. Hardy can get his own shot, be a great shooter off-ball, or be the ball handler in pick-and-roll situations.

Weaknesses: Hardy’s weaknesses stem from the defensive side of the ball. He isn’t too good at it, whether it’d be in a team setting or making sure his guy doesn’t get past him. His shooting upside is also hard to follow, with his percentages not really reflecting how talented Hardy could be with a more consistent game.

Overall Fit: The Rockets could be looking for another guard to either come off the bench in a sort of sixth man role, or maybe to even take Kevin Porter Jr.’s spot as the starter and put him into a more natural bench scorer’s role. Hardy can come in and lead the bench well in both roles, setting up teammates on the break or running pick-and-rolls with the bigs. He would also be given free reign of the scoring load off the bench, where if he got hot, it would be tough to take him out of the game, especially with his shear amount of confidence. There’re not too many high upside prospects left on the board at this point, but with Houston not looking to contend anytime soon, they should be taking all the swings necessary to find as many stars as possible. Hardy could very well be the next big scorer in the backcourt for the Rockets.

Other Potential Targets Available: Kennedy Chandler

27. Miami Heat: Kennedy Chandler | PG | Tennessee

Last Season’s Key Stats: 13.9 PPG | 4.7 APG | 2.2 SPG

Strengths: I think of Kennedy Chandler a little bit like Kyle Lowry in a sense. He is a very intuitive point guard with a lot of competitive spirit and plays extremely hard on defense, something I’m sure the Heat will value. He can shoot from deep three-point range and do it efficiently (38.3% 3P%), which will help his shot translate to the NBA. He’s also a very capable table setter on offense, with the athleticism to get by his defender and into thee paint.

Weaknesses: Like Kyle Lowry, Chandler is undersized at 6’0”, 170lbs, which is getting tougher and tougher to overcome with the NBA more focused on guys who can play positions 1-3 and 3-5. He’s also not a very good free throw shooter, especially for a guard (61% FT%).

Overall Fit: Kyle Lowry, for lack of better wording, looked washed up by the end of Miami’s deep playoff run. He dealt with injuries and off-the-court issues for majority of the season, but he also just looked out of shape. Maybe a full offseason with Miami will help get Lowry’s career back on track, but why not get a shot at his eventual replacement, who would definitely bring the same mindset to the organization as Lowry does? Kennedy Chandler would also help make this roster cheaper down the road, allowing for other moves to be made and extend their championship window. The Heat are going to need some more youth sooner rather than later, so nabbing a guy who could potentially fill that Kyle Lowry role in a couple years could be huge.

Other Potential Targets Available: Christian Koloko, Max Christie

28. Golden State Warriors: Blake Wesley | G | Notre Dame

Last Season’s Key Stats: 14.4 PPG | 3.7 RPG | 1.3 SPG

Strengths: Wesley is viewed as a little bit more of a developmental prospect, but he does have some skills that should translate rather quickly to the NBA. He’s a more than capable on-ball defender who plays very “in your face” and pesky on that end. He also does a good job creating steals and finishing at the rim in transition with his above average athleticism.

Weaknesses: His shooting (40%/30%/65%) and playmaking (2.4 APG compared to 2.2 TPG) skills are still developing after being put in a tough situation at Notre Dame, where he was forced to handle most of the offensive burden by himself. That’s not necessarily what you want to hear when drafting a guard, but he only spent one year at college before declaring for the draft, so there is some potential for growth in both areas.

Overall Fit: While Golden State has been rumored to be shopping this pick to make sure they can bring everyone back and give them the minutes in the rotation they deserve, we’re not doing trades here. So, if they can’t find a way to bring back Gary Payton, why not draft someone who could end up being GP2 but with a bit more offense down the road? Wesley fits the timeline of the Warriors “secondary core” of Jonathan Kuminga, Jordan Poole, James Wiseman and Moses Moody, and could play rotation minutes right away if needed. Plus, learning from two of the best shooters ever in Steph and Klay might help accelerate his growth on the offensive side of the ball.

Other Potential Targets Available: Christian Koloko

29. Memphis Grizzlies: Walker Kessler | C | Auburn

Last Season’s Key Stats: 11.4 PPG | 8.1 RPG | 4.6 BPG

Strengths: Kessler is your prototypical 7’1” NBA center, but he does some of those prototypical things at elite levels. His most notable trait is his rim protection. Averaging almost 5 BPG is insane at any level of competition, not to mention on a top-notch basketball program like Auburn. He also shot the ball reasonably well for a big who stays close to the basket (61% FG%).

Weaknesses: Just like a usual big center, Kessler doesn’t space the floor in any capacity, including from the charity stripe (60% FT%). He’s no playmaker or shot creator on offense. On defense, he might look for the block a little too much which leads to a bit of an inflated foul rate (2.6 FPG), but he also generates 1.1 SPG on top of that massive BPG. He’s also not the most aggressive rebounder for a big guy but spending some time behind Steven Adams is sure to help that.

Overall Fit: Like I mentioned previously, the Grizzlies are a team that is already very deep at most of their positions, so I wouldn’t be shocked if they just took another shot on a wing because you can never have too many in today’s NBA. But I also view the draft for teams like Memphis as an opportunity to lower roster costs either this offseason or down the road. Since Memphis already took a versatile G/F in Dalen Terry, why not get a chance to draft Steven Adams eventual replacement at the center spot? Adams will be a free agent after this season, and Memphis might not be in a position to pay him what he might want. Walker would slot right in next to Jaren Jackson Jr., once Adams becomes too expensive to form one of the best young shot blocking frontcourts in the NBA. If Kessler can learn as much as possible from Adams in the meantime while he isn’t getting the playing time, he could eventually become a key piece for this Memphis team down the road.

Other Potential Targets Available: Bryce McGowens, Caleb Houstan

30. Denver Nuggets: Christian Braun | F | Kansas

Last Season’s Key Stats: 14.1 PPG | 6.5 RPG | 38.6% 3P%

Strengths: Braun was another key part of Kansas’ national title run last year, in large part due to his athleticism, defense and ability to shoot the ball and slash to the rim. Braun can get up and down the court in transition, he’s a good off-ball mover on offense, and can be a good catch-and-shoot guy from several spots beyond the arc. He also brings a lot of hustle and energy every game that isn’t something that can be taught necessarily. He’s also a good rebounder for his size (6’6”) and position.

Weaknesses: His shot needs to be more consistently fluid and he’s not going to be a creator on offense, but Braun can easily fill the role of the energizer off the bench while playing within his role.

Overall Fit: With Denver taking a highly skilled G/F in Jalen Williams at pick #21, I have them going with a more defensive energizer with the last pick in the first round. Now they could package these picks to move up or for a win-now player, since they just acquired #30 from OKC a few days ago, but if they stand pat, they’ll target wing depth. Christian Braun would bring a nice level of intensity, off-ball movement and defense to the Nuggets, which is perfectly suited towards Nikola Jokic’s game. If he can get himself open as a shooter on the perimeter or with a backside cut to the basket, Jokic will find him and all Braun has to do is convert the open shot. Down the line, he could also potentially make Aaron Gordon expendable as Denver tries to cut costs surrounding their three max contract guys.

Other Potential Targets Available: Patrick Baldwin Jr., Wendell Moore Jr., Caleb Houstan

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Photo Credits: CHRON