2022 NBA Draft Results

Round 1 Picks 16-30

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: June 23, 2022.

16. Atlanta Hawks: A.J. Griffin, SF, Duke A+ Grade
    
    
    If Atlanta was smart they'd draft Malaki Branham here at 16 and keep last years starters together. If they trade John Collins before the draft like many are speculating, then I may end up putting Jeremy Sochan here even though I got a second round grade on Sochan.
    
    
    
    The Atlanta Hawks already have a good starting five with Trae Young at point guard, Kevin Huerter at shooting guard, De'Andre Hunter at small forward, John Collins at power forward, and Clint Capela at center. Danillo Gallinari, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Onyeka Okongwu, and Jalen Johnson out of Duke provide four quality bench players with Gallinari and Bogdanovic being reliable starters if injuries occur for the 2022-2023 NBA Season next year. When Atlanta was fully healthy, they started Bogdanovic at shooting guard and Kevin Huerter at small forward for 9 of their 82 regular season games. Injuries to John Collins and Clint Capela caused the Atlanta Hawks to suffer a first round playoff exit against the top seed Miami Heat.
    
    
    
    The only untouchables in terms of players drafted on Atlanta are Trae Young, Kevin Huerter, De'Andre Hunter until a better player comes along, and John Collins all drafted by the Atlanta Hawks with Clint Capela's contract expiring in 2025 giving Atlanta three years to win Trae Young a championship before Capela tests Free Agency. Young has a great supporting cast that can get him far when everyone is healthy. Young got Atlanta to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals, but finding another star player to pair with Trae Young and John Collins should be the top priority and with the sixteenth overall pick, the odds of finding a superstar at that point are stacked against the Atlanta Hawks, but one of the most consistent players in the 2022 NBA Draft fell to Atlanta. It's possible that the Atlanta Hawks could be getting a massive steal here at 16.
    
    
    
    A.J. Griffin is a top 10 talent. Getting him here at 16 is a massive steal for the Atlanta Hawks who got my ninth best player at 16 as well as my top player on the board.
    
    
    
    Duke small forward A.J. Griffin is a player who could be a day 1 starter for the Atlanta Hawks, but he goes to a situation where he'll start out as a bench player and earn a bigger role.
    
    
    
    The 6-6 222 lb A.J. Griffin had 10.4 points per game, 3.9 rebounds per game, 1 assist per game, a 49.3% field goal percentage, a 44.7% three point percentage, and a 79.2% free throw percentage in his freshman season at Duke. A.J. Griffin had a career high 27 points in Chapel Hill where Duke got there only win against North Carolina. A.J. Griffin also had a career high 7 rebounds at the Petersen Center against Pittsburgh. A.J. Griffin's career high 4 assists came against South Carolina State. If A.J. Griffin is hot you could be looking at 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists in one game if A.J. Griffin is clicking on all cylinders.
    
    
    
    A.J. Griffin is a great complimentary scorer who takes pressure off of your teams best player. He hasn't done enough to convince me he can be the face of a team since he didn't have a game with 10 rebounds or 10 assists at Duke, but in this situation he gets to compete with former Duke Blue Devil Jalen Johnson who was Atlanta's 2021 first round pick.
    
    
    
17. Houston Rockets: Tari Eason, SF, LSU A+ Grade
    
    
    Houston grabs a small forward to compliment power forward Jabari Smith Jr. Tari Eason is a great pick here.
    
    
    
    The 6-8 218 lb Tari Eason improved as a sophomore at LSU showing the versatility to play both small forward and power forward after struggling as a true freshman. Tari Eason had 16.9 points per game, 6.6 rebounds per game, 1 assist per game, a 52.1% field goal percentage, a 35.9% three point percentage, a 80.2% free throw percentage, 1.9 steals per game, and 1.1 blocks per game as a sophomore at LSU. Tari Eason had a career high 26 points against Alabama, Tari Eason had a career high 12 rebounds in two different contests, Tari Eason had a career high 3 assists in three different games, and Tari Eason had 5 steals in five different games this year. If Tari Eason is hot you could be looking at 26 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, and 5 steals in one game if Tari Eason is clicking on all cylinders.
    
    
    
    Tari Eason is an elite defender. He can defend against the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, or the 4 at power forward. He's got to improve his shot selection, but his presence will improve a Houston Rockets team that finished dead last in points allowed per game at 118.2 points per game.
    
    
    
    Scoring, rebounding, and getting steals are the biggest strenths in Tari Eason's game. Houston got an amazing value pick here.
    
    
    
    
    
18. Chicago Bulls: Dalen Terry, PG, Arizona D Grade
    
    
    Chicago has a good starting five with Lonzo Ball at point guard, Zach Lavine at shooting guard, DeMar DeRozan at small forward, Patrick Williams at power forward, and Nikola Vucevic at center. This starting five will score. Many question this teams ability to defend effectively outside of Williams and Vucevic on the front court, but this core showed they could compete with anyone in the East before injuries occur.
    
    
    
    Dalen Terry is a reach here. He's a consensus first round player on most draft boards despite not being in my two round mock draft. This is a reach by Chicago, but now you got more depth at guard.
    
    
    
19. Memphis Grizzlies: Jake LaRavia, SF, Wake Forest C Grade
    
    
    Memphis needed a center to round out their starting five. Memphis passed on a center to trade up for Jake LaRavia here. Memphis traded 22 and 29 to Minnesota to move up three spots.
    
    
    
    The 6-8 235 lb Jake LaRavia had a career high 40.7% three point percentage and 1.2 blocks per game as a true freshman at Wake Forest while posting 9.4 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game, and 1.6 assists per game in 2019-2020. LaRavia posted a career high 77.9% free throw percentage as a sophomore while also averaging 12.3 points per game, 6.3 rebounds per game, and 2.3 assists per game in 2020-2021.
    
    
    
    Jake LaRavia had 14.6 points per game, 6.6 rebounds per game, 3.7 assists per game, a 55.9% field goal percentage, a 38.4% three point percentage, a 77.7% free throw percenage, 1.7 steals per game, and 1 block per game during his junior season at Wake Forest in 2021-2022. Jake LaRavia had a career high 31 points against North Carolina. Jake LaRavia also posted a career high 13 rebounds and 9 assists in Tallahasee in a road win against the Florida State Seminoles.
    
    
    
    
    
20. San Antonio Spurs: Malaki Branham, SG, Ohio State A+ Grade
    
    
    San Antonio got my second best player on the board at 20. This is a fantastic value pick for San Antonio.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 180 lb Malaki Branham is a shooting guard who has the size of a point guard. Malaki Branham averaged 13.7 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game, 2 assists per game, a 49.8% field goal percentage, a 41.6% three point percentage, and an 83.3% free throw percentage as a true freshman at Ohio State in 2021-2022. Malaki Branham had a career high 35 points against Nebraska, a career high 8 rebounds against Iowa, and a career high 5 assists agaisnt Northwestern.
    
    
    
    Malaki Branham played in all 32 games starting 31 of those contests dominating in about 8 of the games he started. Branham is a reliable starter averaging over 10 points per game in 17/31 games started, however he'll only put up an All Star performance in 25 percent of your teams games which is something to take into account if you scout for an NBA team.
    
    
    
    
    
21. Denver Nuggets: Christian Braun, SF, Kansas C Grade
    
    
    Denver will have a starting five with Monte Morris at point guard, Jamal Murray at shooting guard, Michael Porter Jr. at small forward, Aaron Gordon at power forward, and Nikola Jokic at center. Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. cannot seem to stay healthy.
    
    
    
    Denver drafted a player with a consensus late first round pick that can play both shooting guard and small forward, but he's not a guy I had in the first two rounds of my mock. Christian Braun averaged 14.1 points per game on a Kansas team that won the 2022 Men's Basketball Championship.
    
    
    
    I think this is a C- value pick, but a C+ scheme fit. That averages out to a C grade for the Denver Nuggets at 21.
    
    
    
22. Minnesota Timberwolves: Walker Kessler, C, Auburn A+ Grade
    
    
    The 7-1 245 lb Walker Kessler improved drastically since his freshman season at Auburn doing well as a sophomore at the 5 next to Jabari Smith Jr. who played the 4. Walker Kessler averaged 11.4 points per game, 8.1 rebounds per game, 4.6 blocks per game, a 60.8% field goal percentage, a 20% three point percentage, anda 59.6% free throw percentage. Walker Kessler had a career high 22 points against Vanderbilt, a career high 19 rebounds against Arkansas, and a career high 12 blocks against Texas A&M following his 19 rebound game against Arkansas. You can make a definitive argument that Walker Kessler is the best shot blocker not named Chet Holmgen in the entire 2022 NBA Draft.
    
    
    
    That case for putting Walker Kessler in the lottery. After moving out of the lottery, Walker Kessler fell to 22 where I mocked him. Minnesota gets him as a backup to Karl-Anthony Towns.
    
    
    
    
    
23. Memphis Grizzlies: David Roddy, PF, Colorado State A Grade
    
    
    Memphis traded a backup combo guard to Philadelphia for this pick. David Roddy is a fantastic pickup for Memphis. If Memphis moves Jaren Jackson to center, they could start David Roddy at power forward and there would be zero drop off in offensive production.
    
    
    
    The 6-6 252 lb David Roddy is versatile enough to play shooting guard, small forward, or power forward with his versatility. Outside of Patrick Baldwin Jr., he is the most versatile prospect in the 2022 NBA Draft with the versatility to play three different positions.
    
    
    
    David Roddy has always stepped up as a scorer and a rebounder at Colorado State averaging over 10 points per game in all three seasons at Colorado State. David Roddy averaged 19.2 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game, 2.9 assists per game, a 57.1% field goal percentage, a 43.8% three point percentage, a 69.1% free throw percentage, 1.2 steals per game and 1.1 blocks per game as a junior in 2021-2022.
    
    
    
    David Roddy scored double digit points in 28/31 games he started. David Roddy had a career high 36 points in 34 minutes against Creighton, a career high 13 rebounds against Arkansas Pine Bluff, and a career high 7 assists against New Mexico. Roddy's consistency as a scorer leads me to believe that he may be worthy of a top 20 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
    
    
    
24. Milwaukee Bucks: MarJon Beauchamp, SG, Ignite (NBA G-League) B Grade
    
    
    Milwaukee has Jrue Holliday at point guard, Donte DiVincenzo at shooting guard, Khris Middleton at small forward, Giannis Antetokounmpo the 2021 NBA Finals MVP at power forward, and Brook Lopez at center. All five of those starters are back with Lopez entering a contract year, plus four more backups with Milwaukee's backup center being the only restricted Free Agent. Milwaukee literally has the luxury to go with the best player on the board.
    
    
    
    The 6-6 199 lb MarJon Beauchamp averaged 15.1 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game, and 1.6 assists per game. He's a first round prospect on some draft boards making this a great value pick for Milwaukee at 24.
    
    
    
    
    
25. San Antonio Spurs: Blake Wesley, SG, Notre Dame B Grade
    
    
    The San Antonio Spurs got a third first round pick for trading Derrick White their 2017 first round pick out of Colorado to the Boston Celtics. San Antonio drafts a second shooting guard for depth here.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 185 lb Blake Wesley is is a shooting guard with the body of a point guard. Blake Wesley averaged 14.4 points per game, 3.7 rebounds per game, 2.4 assists per game, a 40.4% field goal percentage, a 30.3% free throw percentage, a 65.7% free throw percentage, and 1.3 steals per game as a true freshman in 2021-2022. Blake Wesley had a career high 24 points against Wake Forest, a career high 8 rebounds in 2 games and a career high 7 assists in 2 games.
    
    
    
26. Minnesota Timberwolves: Wendell Moore Jr., SF, Duke A+ Grade
    
    
    Duke small forward Wendell Moore Jr. won the Julius Erving Player of the Year Award for the top small forward in College Basketball. He was also the team captain at Duke.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 213 lb Wendell Moore Jr finally broke out as a junior averaging 13.4 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game, 4.4 assists per game, a 50% field goal percentage, a 41.3% three point percentage, 80.5 free throw percentage, and 1.4 steals per game in 2021-2022. Wendell Moore Jr. had a career high 26 points against Syracuse in the quarterfinals of the 2022 ACC Tournament, a career high 12 rebounds in Duke's loss to Miami FL, and a career high 8 assists in a regular season win over Syracuse.
    
    
    
    Wendell Moore Jr. isn't an All Star caliber player. He's an effective starter with fantastic leadership traits. He's also someone who can be a starting small forward for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
    
    
    
    
    
27. Miami Heat: Nikola Jovic, SF, Mega Bemax A Grade
    
    
    Miami has Kyle Lowry at point guard, Duncan Robinson at shooting guard, Jimmy Butler at small forward, and Bam Adeboyo at center. A power forward to round out this starting five is needed if Miami wants to keep up with either Boston or Milwaukee next season.
    
    
    
    Miami took the top International player in the 2022 NBA Draft at 27 here. Nikola Jovic is someone the Heat can develop overseas as well.
    
    
    
    The 6-10 225 lb Nikola Jovic lined up at shooting guard, small forward, and power forward really showcasing his versatility for Mega Bemax this season. Nikola Jovic averaged 11.8 points per game in 2020-2021 and then only averaged 11.7 points per game in 2021-2022. Jovic averaged 4.7 rebounds per game and 3.6 assists per game in 2021-2022 with Mega Bemax.
    
    
    
    Even though Ousmane Dieng will likely be the first International player drafted, I don't think Dieng is the best International player in the 2022 NBA Draft. My favorite International player in the 2022 NBA Draft is Nikola Jovic.
    
    
    
28. Golden State Warriors: Patrick Baldwin Jr., PF, Wisconsin-Milwaukee A Grade
    
    
    The 6-9 220 lb Patrick Baldwin Jr. is versatile enough to play shooting guard, small forward, or power forward with his versatility. Patrick Baldwin Jr. is the most versatile prospect in the 2022 NBA Draft with the versatility to play three different positions, but he struggled defensively against Paolo Banchero in High School.
    
    
    
    Patrick Baldwin Jr. has potential if he can stay healthy since he was a top 5 recruit in High School at one point choosing Wisconsin-Milwaukee over Duke. Wes Langley compared him to Michael Porter Jr. the former Missouri forward that had durability concerns coming out of Missouri despite his history with injuries.
    
    
    
    Patrick Baldwin Jr. averaged 12.1 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game, and 1.5 assists per game. Patrick Baldwin Jr.'s career high 26 points came against Robert Morris. He opened up the season averaging 11 rebounds per game in his first two games, but peaked after that. His career high 4 assists came against Eastern Kentucky in one of the two games where Patrick Baldwin Jr. had 11 rebounds.
    
    
    
    Patrick Baldwin Jr. is a risky pick, but if he pans out he could end up being a great starter if he regains his dominant form before his first left ankle injury during his senior year of High School.
    
    
    
    Golden State got their successor to Klay Thompson in this exact spot two years ago with Jordan Poole. Now they just got their successor to Draymond Green here with Patrick Baldwin Jr. If Golden State feels confident in Jordan Poole at point guard, Moses Moody at shooting guard, Jonathan Kuminga at small forward, Patrick Baldwin Jr. at power forward, and James Wiseman at center then this is a great pick. After Curry, Thompson, and Green retire that's the current projected starting five for Golden State.
    
    
    
    
    
29. Houston Rockets: Tyty Washington Jr., PG, Kentucky A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-3 185 lb Tyty Washington Jr. is the best player on the board at this point and the first point guard drafted at pick 25. Tyty Washington Jr. could watch his NBA Draft stock surge with a huge season at Kentucky.
    
    
    
    Tyty Washington Jr. averaged 12.5 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game, 3.5 assists per game, a 45.1% field goal percentage, a 35% three point percentage, and a 75% free throw percentage as a freshman in 2021-2022. Tyty Washington Jr. had a career high 28 points against Tennesseee, a career high 12 rebounds against Ohio, and a career high 17 assists against Georgia.
    
    
    
    The gap between Kennedy Chandler and Tyty Washington Jr. in the 2022 NBA Draft is much thinner than you'd think. While Chandler had better High School tape and averaged more points per game, it was Washington who demonstrated the higher ceiling which is why Tyty Washington Jr. is now the consensus top ranked point guard in the 2022 NBA Draft.
    
    
    vTyTy Washington Jr. is also versatile enough to play point guard or shooting guard. He can defend against the 1 at point guard or the 2 at shooting guard. He can defend effectively against opposing guards.
    
    
    Tyty Washington has the ceiling to be a triple double player if he can get 28 points, 17 assists, and 12 rebounds in one game. I think that's a long shot, but he's gotten highs of 28 points, 17 assists, and 12 rebounds in three different games.
    
    
    
    Tyty Washington had a private workout with the New York Knicks at 11, and I've seen him mocked as high as 16 to Atlanta Hawks, but he fell to the Houston Rockets at 29. The bottom line is Tyty Washington Jr. is a steal at 29 giving the Houston Rockets a true point guard.
    
    
    
    Houston now has Tyty Washington Jr. at point guard, Jalen Green at shooting guard, Tari Eason at small forward, Jabari Smith Jr. at power fowrard, and Alperen Sengun at center. Houston also has Kevin Porter Jr. for depth at shooting guard.
    
    
    
30. Denver Nuggets: Peyton Watson, SF, UCLA C- Grade
    
    
    Peyton Watson is not a bad player. However, I feel like Denver reached here.
    
    
    
    The 6-8 200 lb Peyton Wilson played small forward in High School. The five star recruit from Long Beach California may move to shooting guard at UCLA playing for a UCLA team that made last years Final 4.
    
    
    
    Peyton Watson was a preseason first round prospect that didn't live up to expectations at UCLA. Some still had him in round one based on his potential despite a bad freshman year at UCLA.