2022 NBA draft tracker: Every pick and first-round analysis

24 Jun 2022

USA TODAY

2022 NBA draft tracker Every pick and firstround analysis

USA TODAY Sports will recap the entire 2022 NBA draft with all 58 picks, plus pick-by-pick analysis on each of the first-round selections.

The NBA is welcoming its newest class of rookies to the league Thursday night during the 2022 draft from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

There were some surprises. It started at No. 1 when the Orlando Magic tabbed Paolo Banchero with the top pick. Jabari Smith of Auburn, who was widely expected to go first, fell to the No. 3 spot and the Houston Rockets.

Draft night also is always a time for trades, and this year is no different. The Oklahoma City Thunder made a trade with the New York Knicks for the No. 11 pick and Ousmane Dieng of New Zealand Breakers for three future conditional first-round picks.

In another draft-day trade, the Detroit Pistons acquired No. 13 pick Jalen Duren and Knicks guard Kemba Walker in a three-team deal.

USA TODAY Sports will recap the entire 2022 NBA draft with all 58 picks (two second-round picks were forfeited), plus pick-by-pick analysis from Jeff Zillgitt, Cydney Henderson, Matt Eppers and Larry Starks on each of the first-round selections.

The 2022 NBA draft class poses for a photo with commissioner Adam Silver before the 2022 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.

FIRST ROUND

1. Orlando Magic: Paolo Banchero, Duke

The Magic need help on the offensive end. The team finished last season 28th in effective field goal percentage, 28th in free throw rate, 27th in offensive rebounding percentage and 23rd in turnover rate. Look no further than Paolo Banchero, who can add versality to the Magic’s offense with his physical tools (size, strength, speed) and on-court skills. He can pass, handle the ball, drive to the basket and finish near the rim and possesses solid footwork. He’s easily the most NBA-ready player among the top projected top five. The 6-10 Banchero averaged 17.2 points on 47.8% shooting from the field, in addition to 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.1 steals in his only season at Duke, which marked Mike Krzyzewski’ final season.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder: Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga

Holmgren has immense potential, with an impressive all-around skillset for a modern NBA big man. With his elite rim protection and shot-blocking, he fills an immediate need for the Thunder as an interior defender. He has a versatile offensive game and has shown the ability to handle the ball, shoot from the outside and finish at the rim. Holmgren will need to add strength to reach his peak on offense, but the Thunder can give him time to develop behind top options Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey.

3. Houston Rockets: Jabari Smith, Auburn

Smith was widely expected to the No. 1 pick but instead went No. 3. He only worked out for the Magic and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Smith averaged 42% on his 3-pointers (5.5 attempts), which could make him a good fit in Houston. At his size, he is difficult to defend. And he was also a quality defender at Auburn.

4. Sacramento Kings: Keegan Murray, Iowa

With a point guard in place with De’Aaron Fox, the Kings bypassed Jaden Ivey and took Murray, an efficient wing scorer. Murray, who improved significant from his freshman to sophomore seasons, averaged 23.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 55% from the field and 39.8% on 3-pointers. Murray, 21, is one of the oldest lottery picks and could have an immediate impact for Sacramento. Like Banchero, Murray is NBA-ready.

5. Detroit Pistons: Jaden Ivey, Purdue

Ivey only worked out for the Pistons and Magic. He uses his speed to blow by defenders, who will have a hard time slowing Ivey down in transition. He can explode into the lane similar to Ja Morant and has the bounce to finish. The son of Niele Ivey, the women’s basketball coach at Notre Dame and a former women’s college champion.

6. Indiana Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin, Arizona

One of the biggest risers in the months leading up to the draft, Mathurin has the shooting touch and size to fill a 3-and-D role on the wing for the Pacers. Mathurin shot 42% from 3-point range in his final year at Arizona and flashed nice speed and athleticism. He can play off the ball next to Tyrese Hailburton and Chris Duarte, while helping boost a Pacers offense that was 18th in efficiency and 25th in 3-point shooting.

7. Portland Trail Blazers: Shaedon Sharpe, Kentucky

Sharpe is one of the biggest mysteries in the draft. He enrolled at Kentucky in January, didn’t play a second for the Wildcats and once he was ruled eligible for the draft, he entered. While teams only had high school and AAU-type video on Sharpe, he is a gifted scorer with his jump shot and at the rim. He is an explosive leaper who loves to get out in transition and dunk. Wildcats coach John Calipari said that if Sharpe returned to Kentucky next season, he would be the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft. Instead, he ends up the No. 7 pick and backcourt mate for Blazers star Damian Lillard.

8. New Orleans Pelicans (from Los Angeles Lakers): Dyson Daniels, G League Ignite

This is a wonderful opportunity for New Orleans to add another quality player to a playoff squad that is poised to be better next season with the return of Zion Williamson. The Australian got a taste of NBA-level play in the NBA All-Star Weekend’s Rising Stars contest in February and he held his own. The 6-8 Daniels is a big guard who began playing professionally as a teenager in his native Australia.

9. San Antonio Spurs: Jeremy Sochan, Baylor

The Spurs have three first-round picks and used their first to select Baylor’s Jeremy Sochan. Sochan gives the Spurs some size at the wing to compliment All-Star Dejounte Murray. He’s a versatile defender and solid rebounder, averaging 6.4 rebounds at Baylor in 2021-22. He runs the court well and scores with efficiency inside the 3-point line. Sochan can shoot the 3 but needs to improve his percentage. He averaged 9.2 points for the Bears.

10. Washington Wizards: Johnny Davis, Wisconsin

With a roster potentially in flux this summer, the Wizards need talent and landed on one of the best players remaining. Davis took a huge leap as a scorer and rebounder in his second year at Wisconsin, from 7.0 points and 4.1 rebounds to 19.7 and 8.2. He can score and create in the mid-range but will need to improve his outside shot.

11. New York Knicks: Ousmane Dieng, New Zealand Breakers

Some mock drafts had Dieng going as high as No. 8. He fell to No. 11, which the Knicks reportedly traded to the Thunder. He played last season in Australia’s pro league for the New Zealand Breakers and averaged 8.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and an assist while shooting just 39.8% from the field and 27.1% on 3-pointers. But he improved as the season continued and was a much better scorer and shooter in the second half of the season. The Thunder’s player development staff will work hard to make Dieng a significant contributor as they continue their rebuild.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Los Angeles Clippers): Jalen Williams, Santa Clara

Williams shot up draft boards after the combine in which his vertical leap, speed and wingspan caught the attention of scouts and executives. His defense will fit in well in OKC. The Thunder traded for the No. 11 pick, which did not affect the No. 12 pick. Williams was efficient on 3-pointers (39.6%) and inside the 3-point line (55.1%) and averaged 18 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 2021-22. He has patience with the basketball in pick-and-roll situations and finds his spots at the 3-point line for spot-up jumpers.

13. Charlotte Hornets: Jalen Duren, Memphis

The Hornets are not only in need of a head coach, but some rim protection after finishing 22nd in defensive rating the 2021-22 season. They selected Memphis big Jalen Duren, who can play with his back to the basket, run the court and rebound. He has a capable face-up game in the low post and can make mid-range jump shots. He seemed like the perfect fit for the Hornets, but he was reportedly traded to the Knicks.

14. Cleveland Cavaliers: Ochai Agbaji, Kansas

A team on the rise in the East, the Cavaliers are putting together quite a defensive unit. They have rim protectors and they added a need in a perimeter defender. Agbaji is 6-5 with a 6-10 wingspan and 8-8 standing reach and known as a 3-and-D wing. He played four seasons for the Jayhawks and was the 2022 Final Four Most Outstanding Player in the Jayhawks’ title run. He averaged 18.8 points and 5.1 rebounds and shot 47.5% from the field and 40.7% on 3s. Former ESPN NBA draft analyst Mike Schmitz, now in Portland’s front office, once tweeted, "Ochai Agbaji could play 25+ minutes in an NBA game tomorrow."

15. Charlotte Hornets (from New Orleans): Mark Williams, Duke

Williams should be able to step in immediately and fill a big need for the Hornets at center. At 7-2 with a 7-6 wingspan and 9-9 standing reach, Williams has the tools and good mobility for his size to be an imposing presence around the rim. He doesn't offer much yet on the offensive end, but he should catch a lot of lobs from LaMelo Ball.

16. Atlanta Hawks: A.J. Griffin, Duke

Griffin averaged 10.4 points on a team that has potentially five NBA draft picks, including No. 1. Hailing from a basketball family (his brother, sister and father all played for Power 5 schools; his father also is an assistant with the Toronto Raptors), Griffin is considered one of the better shooters in the draft. He shot 44.7% on 3s and 49.3% overall. He will add necessary shooting alongside Trae Young and give the Hawks needed help defensively with his ability to guard multiple positions at 6-6, 220 pounds.

17. Houston Rockets (from Brooklyn): Tari Eason, LSU

After finishing with the league’s worst record this year, the Rockets are looking for someone to help Jalen Green (Houston’s No. 2 draft pick in 2021). Rockets already picked up Jabari Smith at No. 3, and Tari Eason will add more offensive versatility with his ability to score at the rim. He uses his athleticism and length to attack the paint and can impact the game on the defensive end. He was named the 2022 SEC Sixth Man of the Year at LSU, where he averaged 16.9 points on 52.1% from the field.

18. Chicago Bulls: Dalen Terry, Arizona

Terry has good size at 6-7 with a 7-0 wingspan and the versatility to guard multiple positions on the perimeter. He moves without the ball well and has the athleticism to attack the rim and finish consistently, but he still needs to improve his outside shot to help a Bulls offense that was last in the league in 3-pointers attempted and next-to-last in 3-pointers made.

19. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jake LaRavia, Wake Forest

The Timberwolves plan to trade LaRavia to Memphis for the Nos. 22 and 29 picks in the first round. LaRavia was a late climber in draft, and the way he shoots, passes and moves without the ball, it’s easy to see why the Grizzlies traded two picks to move up. LaRavia spent his first two college seasons at Indiana State then transferred to Wake Forest where he averaged 14.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 55.9% from the field and 38.4% on 3s. He also has fundamental footwork that frees him for easy baskets in the post. LaRavia is a willing defender and has a knack for getting steals and creating in transition.

20. San Antonio Spurs (from Toronto): Malaki Branham, Ohio State

Branham loves to get to the rim, flourishes in transition offensively and can finish in the paint. That could be just what the doctor order for the Spurs. In half-court sets, he moves well with and without the basketball as a playmaker and cutter. His 3-point shot is not picture-perfect, but he made 41.6% from that range. He averaged 19 points in the final 10 games of the season. Branham arrived as a highly rated recruit and eventually developed into a second option, averaging 13.7 points while shooting 49.8% from the field and 41.6% from 3-point range.

21. Denver Nuggets: Christian Braun, Kansas

Christian Braun and his family decided to go to the 2022 NBA Draft in New York this week and good thing he did. He will join 2022 MVP Nikola Jokić in the Mile High City as the No. 21 pick. Braun is a two-way player that proved himself earning an NCAA championship with Kansas earlier this year. He will mesh well with Denver’s style of play that operates through Jokic. He averaged 14.1 points from 49.5% shooting from the field, 6.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists for the Jayhawks in 2021-22.

22. Memphis Grizzlies (from Utah): Walker Kessler, Auburn

This pick will go the Timberwolves as part of the deal that gave Memphis the No. 19 pick. Kessler is a pick-and-roll big, knows how to set screens and is patient alongside the ball-handler. He is also very active on the offensive boards and blocks shots. Defense is what the Timberwolves like. Kessler had two triple-double last season – with blocks being a category where he notched at least 10. He improved his game after playing his freshman season at North Carolina, shooting 70.2% on 2-pointers for Auburn. Adding a reliable 3-ball will help.

23. Philadelphia 76ers

24. Milwaukee Bucks

25. San Antonio Spurs (from Boston)

26. Houston Rockets (from Dallas)

27. Miami Heat

28. Golden State Warriors

29. Memphis Grizzlies

30. Denver Nuggets (from Oklahoma City)

SECOND ROUND

31. Indiana Pacers (from Houston via Cleveland)

32. Orlando Magic

33. Toronto Raptors (from Detroit via San Antonio, Washington and Chicago)