2022 NBA Draft Results

Round 2

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

31. Indiana Pacers: Andrew Nembhard, PG, Gonzaga C Grade
    
    
    Indiana could have drafted a day 1 starter at 31. Instead the Pacers get Andrew Nembhard for depth at point guard to start the second round.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 193 lb Andrew Nembhard averaged 11.8 points per game, 3.4 rebounds per game, 5.8 assists per game, a 45.2% field goal percentage, a 38.3% three point percentage, a 87.3% free throw percentage, and 1.6 steals per game as a senior in 2021-2022.
    
    
    
32. Orlando Magic: Caleb Houstan, SF, Michigan A Grade
    
    
    The 6-8 205 Caleb Houstan pronounced Houston goes to Cleveland as a small forward for depth. Caleb Houstan averaged 10.1 points per game, 4 rebounds per game, 1.4 assists per game, a 38.4% field goal percentage, a 355% three point percentage, and a 78.3% free throw percentage as a freshman with Michigan in 2021-2022.
    
    
    
    Caleb Houstan will backup Franz Wagner a 2021 first round pick drafted eighth overall out of Michigan. Houstan took over for Wagner at small forward for Michigan's Basketball team and will now be a backup to Wagner in Orlando.
    
    
    
    
    
33. Toronto Raptors: Christian Koloko, C, Arizona A+ Grade
    
    
    Toronto has Fred VanVleet at point guard, Gary Trent Jr. at shooting guard, OG Anunoby at small forward, Pascal Siakam at power forward, and 2021-2022 NBA Rookie Of The Year Scottie Barnes. A center to round out this starting five is still needed though.
    
    
    
    The 7-1 230 lb Christian Koloko finally put everything together as a junior after two rocky seasons at Arizona. Christian Koloko averaged 12.6 points per game, 7.3 rebounds per game, 1.4 assists per game, a 63.5% field goal percentage, and a 73.5% free throw percentage as a junior in 2021-2022.
    
    
    
    Christian Koloko had a career high 28 points in the Sweet 16, a career high 13 rebounds against Arizona State, and a career high 4 assists in two or three different contests. Christian Koloko scored over 10 points per game in 25 out of 37 games during his draft year, but he still needs to develop as a three point shooter which is why some may have a second round grade on Koloko.
    
    
    
34. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jaylin Williams, PF, Arkansas A Grade
    
    
    Oklahoma City gets their starting power forward here. I had a first round grade on Jaylin Williams.
    
    
    
    The 6-10 240 lb Jaylin Williams stepped up after struggling as a freshman with a big sophomore season. Jaylen Williams had 10.9 points per game, 9.8 rebounds per game, 2.6 assists per game, a 46.1% field goal percentage, a 23.9% three point percentage, a 72.9% free throw percentage, 1.3 steals per game, and 1.1 blocks per game in 2021-2022.
    
    
    
    Jaylin Williams field goal percentage, three point percentage, and free throw percentage declined despite a strong sophomore season. Jaylin Williams had a career high 22 points against Alabama, a career high 16 rebounds against Tennessee, and a career high 7 assists against Northern Iowa.
    
    
    
    Oklahoma City has Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at point guard, Josh Giddey at shooting guard, Ousmane Dieng plus Jalen Williams competing at small forward, Jaylin Williams at power forward, and Chet Holmgren at center. I love this starting five if the forwards can develop.
    
    
    
    
    
35. Los Angeles Lakers: Max Christie, SG, Michigan State B Grade
    
    
    The Lakers needed a shooting guard. Max Christie is a solid value pick.
    
    
    
36. Detroit Pistons: Gabriele Procida, SG, Fortitudo Bologna D Grade
    
    
    Detroit reached for an Italian shooting guard that has great zone defense, but is a liability everywhere else. The fact that this guard had a second round grade on the Athletic is what saves the Pistons from getting an F in 2022.
    
    
    
    
    
37. Dallas Mavericks: Jaden Hardy, SG, Ignite (NBA G-League) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-4 196 lb Jaden Hardy had 17.7 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game, 3.2 assists per game, a 35.1% field goal percentage, a 26.9% three point percentage, a 88.2% free throw percentage, and 1.2 steals with Ignite in the NBA G League against men. Dallas now has Luka Doncic at point guard, Jaden Hardy at shooting guard, Tim Hardaway Jr. at small forward, Dorian Finney-Smith at power forward, and Christian Wood at center. Dallas also has Steve Dinwiddle off the bench, and could bring back unrestricted Free Agent Jalen Brunson.
    
    
    
38. Memphis Grizzlies: Kennedy Chandler, PG, Tennessee A+ Grade
    
    
    Memphis got a point guard for depth here who will make an awesome backup to Ja Morant. I love this selection in the second round since I had a first round grade on Kennedy Chandler.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 171 lb Kennedy Chandler is a great passer. He can shoot from short range, mid range, or long range. Kennedy Chandler is a great value pick for the Memphis Grizzlies in the second round after San Antonio traded this second round pick to the Memphis Grizzlies.
    
    
    
    Kennedy Chandler averaged 13.9 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game, 4.7 assists per game, a 46.4% field goal percentage, a 38.3% three point percentage, a 60.6% free throw percentage, and 2.2 steals per game as a freshman in 2021-2022. Kennedy Chandler had a career high 27 points against Colorado on the road, a career high 10 assists in 2 different games with a minimum of 2 assists in each regular season game he played in, and a career high 8 rebounds in a road win against Missouri.
    
    
    
    
    
39. Cleveland Cavaliers: Khalifa Diop, C, Gran Canaria D Grade
    
    
    Khalifa Diop is the third D grade of this draft. He's a solid depth piece behind Jarrett Allen at center.
    
    
    
40. Charlotte Hornets: Bryce McGowens, SG, Nebraska A Grade
    
    
    The 6-7 179 lb Bryce McGowens is an early second round prospect that slipped way too far mainly due to the fact that this is such a deep shooting guard draft. Bryce McGownes averaged 16.8 points pger game, 5.2 rebounds per game, 1.4 assists per game, a 40.3% field goal percentage, a 27.4% three point percentage, and a 83.1% free throw percentage as a true freshman in 2021-2022.
    
    
    
    Charlotte goes for value over need here. Bryce McGowens can be a good backup to Terry Rozier and James Bouknight Charlotte's 2021 first round pick.
    
    
    
    
    
41. New Orleans Pelicans: E.J. Liddell, PF, Ohio State A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-7 240 E.J. Liddell played power forward at Ohio State. He's going to New Orleans as a backup power forward to Zion Williamson.
    
    
    
    E.J. Liddell's current player comparison by most NBA Draft websites is Grant Williams, one of the better bench players on the Boston Celtics. Now New Orleans has a Grant Williams type of role player for Zion Williamson when Zion is injured. Liddell averaged 16.2 points per game, 67 rebounds per game, 1.8 assists per game, and 1.1 blocks per game as a sophomore in 2020-2021, but chose to return to Ohio State for his junior season.
    
    
    
    E.J. Liddell averaged 19.4 points per game, 7.9 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game, 2.6 blocks per game, a career high 49% field goal percentage, a career high 37.4% three point percentage, and a career high 76.5% free throw percentage as a junior in 2021-2022. E.J. Liddell had a career high 34 points against Northwestern, a career high 15 rebounds against Minnesota, and a career high 7 assists against Nebraska. He also had 14 points and 14 rebounds against Duke when Ohio State upset the number one team in College Basketball.
    
    
    
    E.J. Liddell also managed to frustrate Paolo Banchero the first pick in the 2022 NBA Draft on film. Fantastic pick by the New Orleans Pelicans here getting the sixteenth best player on my board outside of the top forty.
    
    
    
42. New York Knicks: Trevor Keels, SG, Duke A+ Grade
    
    
    The New York Knicks neglected team needs at small forward and center. However, the Knicks cleared up some cap space and got Trevor Keels my best overall player on the board and one of two players in my top 30 left on the board at 42.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 221 lb Trevor Keels is someone that Memphis can gamble on at 29. Trevor Keels averaged 11.5 points per game, 3.4 rebounds per game, 2.7 assists per game, a 41.9% field goal percentage, 31.2% three point percentage, a 67% free throw percentage, and 1.2 steals per game in 2021-2022 as a true freshman at Duke. Trevor Keels had a career high 27 points against Pittsburgh, a career high 11 rebounds against Clemson, and a career 8 assists against Florida State.
    
    
    
    Trevor Keels has the upside to develop into a starting shooting guard if he can put everything together, but that's a big if. He does come with some concerns about being a bust since he was benched during the ACC Tournament. I love Duke as does Wes Langley, and Wes believes this guy belongs in the 15-20 range. I had him going to Memphis at 29 prior to the Christian Wood trade which sent the twenty sixth pick in the 2022 NBA Draft to the Houston Rockets. Keels might be good enough to start, but he's a great backup shooting guard to Jalen Suggs here.
    
    
    
    
    
43. Los Angeles Clippers: Moussa Diabate, PF, Michigan D Grade
    
    
    The Los Angeles Clippers have Reggie Jackson at point guard, Paul George at shooting guard, Kawhi Leononard at small forward, Reggie Covington at power forward, and Ivica Zubac at center. The Clippers have starters everywhere with Leonard coming back from an injury next season.
    
    
    
    Moussa Diabate was a reach here. He was an All Freshman candidate on Michigan which keeps the Clippers from getting an F grade because he did contribute despite averaging under 10 points per game.
    
    
    
44. Atlanta Hawks: Ryan Rollins, SG, Toledo C Grade
    
    
    Golden State adds another guard for depth. Ryan Rollins was a consensus second round prospect. Rollins isn't a bad player and this is a solid pick, but I would have gone for a true point guard to groom behind Steph Curry rather than adding another shooting guard since Golden State has Jordan Poole and Moses Moody the fourteenth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft as guys who can step in when Curry's splash brother Klay Thompson is out of the lineup at shooting guard.
    
    
    
    
    
45. Minnesota Timberwolves: Josh Minott, PF, Memphis C+ Grade
    
    
    Minnesota needed a power forward to round out their starting five. I like Josh Minott as a bench player, but not as a starter.
    
    
    
46. Portland Trail Blazers: Ismael Kamagate, C, Paris Basketball A+ Grade
    
    
    Portland drafted their replacement to Jusuf Nurkic here assuming Nurkic signs with a new team as an unrestricted Free Agent.
    
    
    
    The 6-11 220 lb Ismael Kamagate had 11.3 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per game. Portland got my final top 30 player with this second round pick.
    
    
    
    
    
47. Memphis Grizzlies: Vince Williams Jr., SF, Virginia Commonweath B Grade
    
    
    Vince Williams Jr. is a good value pick and a nice bench player. Memphis needed a starting center rather than another quality bench player which is why the Grizzlies get a B grade here.
    
    
    
    The 6-6 205 lb Vince Williams Jr. averaged 14.1 points per game, 6 rebounds per game, 3 assists per game, a 47.7% field goal percentage, a 38.7% three point percentage, a 81.4% free throw percentage, 1.6 steals per game, and 1.1 blocks per game in 2021-2022 as a senior at Virginia Commonwealth. He ended Virginia Commonwealth's season with a bang by getting a career high 27 points against Wake Forest in the second round of the 2022 NIT Tournament.
    
    
    
48. Indiana Pacers: Kendall Brown, SF, Baylor A Grade
    
    
    T.J. Warren is an unrestricted Free Agent. Kendall Brown is a nice bench player at small forward, but I don't see him as an immediate starter either. He's got potential though.
    
    
    
    The 6-8 210 lb Kendall Brown averaged 14 points per game, 4 assists per game, and 3.5 rebounds per game as a high school senior. Kendall Brown committed to Baylor after they won the 2021 Men's College Basketball Championship.
    
    
    
    Kendall Brown started on Baylor. He's got more upside than Jeremy Sochan who went to San Antonio at 9. Both Baylor players scored under 10 points per game, yet both players are being mocked in the lottery range of the 2022 NBA Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
49. Cleveland Cavaliers: Isaiah Mobley, PF, USC A+ Grade
    
    
    After Cleveland got this pick from Sacramento on draft day, Brian Bayless suggested I swap Makur Maker who went undrafted with Isaiah Mobiley after Cleveland got this pick from Sacraemnto since he's Evan Mobley's younger brother. Giannis and his older brother are both on the Bucks, so I guess the Cavaliers took a page from Milwaukee when adding Mobley here.
    
    
    
    The 6-10 240 lb Isaiah Mobley is the younger brother of Cleveland Cavaliers top 5 draft pick Evan Mobley who got drafted third overall in the 2021 NBA Draft. Isaiah Mobley played at USC which was where Evan played college too.
    
    
    
    Isaiah Mobley averaged 14.2 points per game, 8.3 rebounds per game, 3.3 assists per game, a 44.5% field goal percentage, a 35.2% three point percentage, and a 68.2% free throw percentage in 2021-2022. Isaiah Mobley is a good player for Cleveland to groom as a backup power forward.
    
    
    
50. Minnesota Timberwolves: Matteo Spagnolo, PG, Vanoli Cremona C Grade
    
    
    Minnesota reached here. Matteo Spagnolo is a nice combo guard to add for depth though.
    
    
    
    
    
51. Atlanta Hawks: Tyrese Martin, SF, Connecticut B Grade
    
    
    Tyrese Martin is versatile enough to play small forward or power forward. This is a good addition by Atlanta at 51.
    
    
    
52. New Orleans Pelicans: Karlo Matkovic, PF, Mega Bemax A Grade
    
    
    New Orleans drafts a second power forward for depth. The 6-10 220 lb Karlo Matkovic played with Nikola Jovic on Mega Bemax. Karlo Matkovic averaged 11.5 points per game overseas and would be a good International player to develop overseas in case Zion Williamson or E.J. Liddell gets injured.
    
    
    
    
    
53. Boston Celtics: J.D. Davison, PG, Alabama A Grade
    
    
    The Boston Celtics starting lineup consists of point guard Marcus Smart, shooting guard Jaylen Brown, small forward Jayson Tatum, power forward Robert Williams III, and center Al Horford. Boston's backups include Peyton Pritchard as the backup point guard, Derrick White as the backup shooting guard, Aaron Nesmith as the backup small forward, Grant Williams as the backup power forward, and Daniel Thies as the backup center. Boston just needs an extra body and really has the luxury to ignore need and take the best player on their board here.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 195 lb J.D. Davison can pass like a point guard. He can shoot from short range, mid range, and long range on film. He checked off a lot of boxes coming out of High School before struggling at Alabama as a freshman.
    
    
    
    Boston is essentially drafting a third string point guard in the second round. Marcus Smart is going to remain the starting point guard with first round pick Peyton Prichard remaining the backup point guard.
    
    
    
54. Washington Wizards: Yannick Nzosa, C, Unicaja A Grade
    
    
    Washington adds a center for depth behind the injury prone Kristaps Porzingis. Yannick Nzosa fits that bill here.
    
    
    
    The 6-11 200 lb Yannick Nzosa is an elite shot blocker with superb athleticism. In fact, after Chet Holmgren and Jalen Duren, you could argue he's the best shot blocker in this draft. Like those two he can defend against the 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. He can line up against anyone and defend effectively.
    
    
    
    He went from being a preseason top 5 pick to a second round prospect who may go undrafted mainly because he did so poor offensively despite his strong defensive play. Washington can groom him behind Kristaps Porzingis here.
    
    
    
    
    
55. Golden State Warriors: Gui Santos, SF, Minas C Grade
    
    
    Gui Santos averaged 10.5 points per game overseas in Brazil with Minas. This is a nice developmental pick that Golden State can develop overseas.
    
    
    
56. Cleveland Cavaliers: Luke Travers, SG, Perth Wildcats D Grade
    
    
    Luke Travers felt like a reach. He was a consensus second round prospect despite not being in my top 60.
    
    
    
    
    
57. Portland Trail Blazers: Jabari Walker, SF, Colorado A+ Grade
    
    
    Portland needed a starting small forward and a starting power forward. Jabari Walker is versatile enough to play both roles, plus he was in my top 40.
    
    
    
    The 6-9 215 lb Jabari Walker is a deadly small forward. Jabari Walker led PAC 12 freshmen with 21.5 points per game and 12. rebounds per game in extended games that lasted over 40 minutes. He also had a career high 24 points against Georgetown in the 2021 March Madness Tournament win going 9/10 from field goal range on 2 point shots while going 3/5 on three point shots.
    
    
    
    Back in October, I said this about Jabari Walker. Keep an eye on Jabari Walker because he's one guy who could come out of nowhere to surge into the top 10 like Ziare Williams did last season. Walker didn't do enough to crack the first round which is why he fell to the Portland Trail Blazers at 57.
    
    
    
    Jabari Walker averaged 14.6 points per game 7 more than his freshman season, 9.4 rebounds per game, 1.2 assists per game, a 46.1% field goal percentage, a 34.6% three point percentage, and a 78.4% free throw percentage.
    
    
    
    Jabari Walker scored more points per game, but his field goal percentage and three point percentage declined. Portland can gamble on Jabari Walker here.
    
    
    
58. Milwaukee Bucks: Hugo Besson, PG, New Zealand Breakers A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-3 196 lb Hugo Besson averaged 13.9 points per game, 3.9 rebounds per game, 2.3 assists per game. He led the New Zealand Breakers in points per game even though Ousmane Dieng is the highest projected draft pick on that team.
    
    
    
    Hugo Besson can either go to Milwaukee as a backup to Jrue Holliday or, go to the NBA G-League, or return to the New Zealand Breakers for another development. Besson was a top 50 player in this draft, so this was a great pick for Milwaukee.