2022 Draft Discussion Thread

Congrats to Mike Schmitz of old school Draft Express now with ESPN on getting Assistant GM position with Blazers.

Interesting Leonard Miller pulls out of draft to play for G League Ignite.

Also first trade. Denver gets 30th and 2 future 2nd rounders from OKC for Jaymychal Green and a 2027 1st

It is a smart move for Miller. If he stays in the draft and gets taken in the mid-to-late 2nd, he gets a two-way contract that isn’t guaranteed and is in the G-League. He will probably make just as much with in the Ignite program, and has the chance to work his way into being a first rounder, maybe a lottery pick, with real investment from the team taking him. Sure, he has the length and athleticism people love, and undeniable potential, but playing in the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association is not preparation for the NBA. So often, guys get caught up in just getting to the draft as quickly as possible, and they fall between the cracks where you turn on a random ESPN2 or NBAtv game a few years later and see him on the Cape Town Tigers.

Nuggets did a good move to get an extra pick and shift hefty salary with it. But OKC might have had to use up salary space anyway.

I guess Miller wasn’t likely to be taken first round so decided to go to G League and keep his options open. If he started tearing it up in the G-League could an NBA team in theory sign him during next season or would be still have to wait to enter the draft next year?

No they aren’t a regular G League team they are a team for draft prospects to play a year before they enter the draft and then they sprinkle in some NBA/GLeague veterans to mentor them. The program allows them to get paid ($150-500,000), learn how to become a professional, focuses on life skill and financial literacy classes, and they get a full academic scholarship to Arizona St who has partnered with the NBA to help these players get a college degree if they choose to. It is an alternative to the NCAA, 5th year prep school, going overseas route for the elite prospects.

Thanks for feedback Armchair GM, strange Ignite don’t actually play as a full G-League team but it is clearly appealing to a lot of players and they earn far more and play a lot less than in NCAA. Although guys in NCAA can make money now but with Ignite being part of G-League and thus linked to NBA the players effectively come under the NBA umbrella so they can be mentored and prepared for life in the NBA.

I like the idea of having veterans on the side as locker room leaders and mentors. The likes of Amir Johnson who played against all the top stars and had lots as team mates can give a player more insight into the NBA than a year in the NCAA can. Plus players get to go up against veteran guys like Amir.

Anybody know if any other international prospects besides Leonard Miller withdrawal their names from the NBA draft? Can’t seem to find the most updated version of that. It’s not on rookiescale or nba.com or on this site, etc. Maybe it’s not on the web yet? Idk.. But I’d like to figure out fringe prospects. So far it looks like a lot of players will get snubbed.

Here’s a different list that I have based on buzz I’m hearing of a simple who’s getting drafted and who’s not.

ALL PLAYERS WHO ARE LOCKS TO GET DRAFTED
Jabari Smith, Jr.
Chet Holmgren
Paolo Banchero
Jaden Ivey
Keegan Murray
Shaedon Sharpe
Bennedict Mathurin
Dyson Daniels
AJ Griffin
Jalen Duren
Johnny Davis
Jeremy Sochan
Mark Williams
Ousmane Dieng
Tari Eason
TyTy Washington
Malaki Branham
Ochai Agbaji
EJ Liddell
Nikola Jovic
Blake Wesley
Jalen Williams
Jaden Hardy
Jake LaRavia
Dalen Terry
Bryce McGowens
Caleb Houstan
Jaylin Williams

FRINGE PROSPECTS;

THE PROBABLY DRAFTED (About as much as the draft itself)
Andrew Nembhard
Jean Montero
JD Davison
Ryan Rollins
Kennedy Chandler
Alondes Williams
Jamaree Bouye
Matteo Spagnolo
Hugo Besson
Iverson Molinar
Scotty Pippen, Jr.
Tyrese Martin
Izaiah Brockington
Kameron McGusty
Collin Gillespie
RJ Cole
Aminu Mohammed
Johnny Juzang
Gabriel Procida
Wendell Moore
Christian Braun
Dereon Seabron
Ron Harper, Jr.
MarJon Beauchamp
Kendall Brown
Trevor Keels
Max Christie
Jordan Hall
Keon Ellis
Josh Minott
Justin Lewis
Julian Champagnie
John Butler
David Roddy
Peyton Watson
Patrick Baldwin, Jr.
Jabari Walker
Isaiah Mobley
Dominick Barlow
Christian Koloko
Yannick Nzosa
Khalifa Diop
Karlo Matkovic
Leonard Okeke
Trevion Williams
Kenneth Lofton, Jr.
Ibou Badji
Brady Manek
Kofi Cockburn
Michael Foster
Moussa Diabate
Walker Kessler
Ismael Kamagate
Orlando Robinson

THE LIKELY UDFA that can sneak in:
Tevin Brown
Ziga Samar
Michael DeVoe
Abu Kigab
Kyler Edwards
Kevin McCuller
Hyunjung Lee
Malcolm Cazalon
Buddy Boeheim
Jared Rhoden
Darius Days
Gabe Brown
Zvonimir Ivisic
Kai Sotto
Gui Santos
Bryson Williams
Fedor Zugic
Fanbo Zeng
Javon Freeman-Liberty
AJ Green
Quenton Jackson
James Akinjo
Jules Bernard
Luke Travers
Alfonso Plummer
Fabian White, Jr.
Josh Carlton
Kellan Grady
Lucas Williamson
Gaige Prim
Myles Cale
AJ Lawson
Taz Sherman
Michael Flowers
Carlos Alocen
Nikita Mikhailovskii
Alex Barcello
Darryl Morsell
Jacob Gilyard
Paul Scruggs
Mert Akay
Jaden Shackleford
Mario Nakic
JD Notae
Tom Digbeu
Peter Kiss
Vince Williams, Jr.
Eric Ayala
DaVante’ Jones
Tyson Etienne
Justin Bean
Bryce Hamilton

Some of these international guys I’m not sure if they pulled their name out or not.

Ivisic is out I believe.

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2022/03/2022-nba-draft-early-entrants-list.html

According to Jonathan Givony who is the best in the business since the DX days.

WITHDRAWING FROM THE 2022 NBA DRAFT at the 5pm ET DEADLINE:

Leonard Miller
Zvonimir Ivisic
Matthew Strazel
Zsombor Maronka
Malcolm Cazalon
Fedor Zugic
Mario Nakic
STAYING IN THE DRAFT:

Ousmane Dieng
Nikola Jovic
Khalifa Diop
Hugo Besson
Ismael Kamagate
Gabriele Procida
Yannick Nzosa
Karlo Matkovic
Matteo Spagnolo
Ziga Samar
Gui Santos
Luke Travers
Pavel Savkov
Ibou Badji

There is another draft trade… OKC gets JaMychal Green, and a 2027 protected 1st from Denver. Denver gets pick # 30 and two 2nds in 2023 and 2024.

Does this shake your mocks a bit?

Dallas and Houston trade: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/rockets-trading-christian-wood-to-mavericks-for-no-26-pick-in-2022-nba-draft-multiple-players-per-report/

Trey Burke, pick and trash for Wood.

Houston clearly don’t think Wood will help the team improve long term or rate their other young bigs better or don’t ant to pay Woods big money next summer. I guess this means they are a lock to take best big available with 3rd pick who I figure to be Banchero. Also gives Sengun a likely starting birth and him and Banchero might be a better fit than Sengun and Wood or Banchero or Wood. Also allows Garuba to see more minutes and with Tate as current starting PF gives them a nice young frontcourt quartet going forward.

I’d figure Houston might try to package 17 and 26 unless they took Jovic and/or Dieng and stashed them for a year. Also throw Houston into trade up talk as they trump Memphis and Denver and might look at say Cavs at 14.

Latest mock on this site (not the Extended Mock) has some really interesting movement.

Wouldn’t Toronto want to retain OG as he has two years at a very favourable rate I guess you possibly put Trent ahead of him as he is the slightly younger guy. Could FVF be the guy they did decide to move as he would be 29 next year and new Siakam level deal would take him well into his 30’s. Or is OG just easier to replace?

Wiiliams to Charlotte with one of their picks has been a mock favourite for a lot of us but if Duren is still available at 13 I don’t see Hornets passing on them although Williams is the MJ prototype draft pick given his college career.

If Ivey is BPA the Magic do need to take him they have more frobtcourt than backcourt depth. If Chet’s build is a serious issue and he falls down the mocks I’m waiting to see what happens with the heavyweight mocks like ESPN as this site has had hom as low as 4 several times.

I don’t see Chet falling far, largely because when owners get in the room with high picks, they operate with a limited frame of reference. His body is a concern, but he is also either the biggest or second biggest name in the draft. It doesn’t pass the sniff test that both Houston and Sacramento would pass on him. Both have owners who like to be in the room.

I agree although Chet’s lack of bulk is a worry but would a Detroit pass of him at 5 where they could pair him with a banger like Stewart in the frontcourt?

There’s buzz going around that Nikola Jovic has a mid-first round promise. I don’t know the team though, guessing game…

A good number of teams in that area could stand to get longer. Atlanta could view Jovic as someone who could succeed Gallinari, though they did take Jalen Johnson last year. He didn’t do anything outside of a handful of G-League games. They have Gallinari for another year, and maybe could figure either Jovic or Johnson could eventually step in. I tend to believe Jovic is at least a year away, so they might not be the worst spot for him. Plus, it is a team with some international guys who might be able to guide his transition to the US and the NBA.

Houston is a possibility at #17 or #26 because they are in asset accumulation mode, but it would be a bad fit. He would play, because they won’t be any good. Kevin Porter and Jalen Green didn’t come off as ideal teammates, and I’m not sure how much of the ball he would see.

The Bulls need to get longer, and they brought over his old teammate Marko Simonovic last year. Jovic’s timeframe doesn’t aline with the Bulls wanting to compete now. Jalen Williams would. Tari Eason could possibly in a smaller role initially. I don’t think Jovic or Ousmane Dieng could get on the court for them.

San Antonio has obvious history with international players, and have an abundance of picks. I fully expect them to either sell off their 2nd rounder or take a draft-and-stash, and might consider an international player who agrees to stay off the roster in the 1st round as well. They already have 12 guys under contract, and half of them are 25 or under. Could they have an agreement to take him and help get him to a Euroleague team? Tony Parker owns one. They have his number. Just saying.

Denver would be the obnoxious option because of the Bogdanovic element with Nikola Jokic and Jovic. I think there will be guard options at #21 that could be too appealing. Branham, Washington, Rollins, and Braun could all be there, and seem like can possibly step into the rotation.

Interesting that Caleb Houstan who everyone thought had a 1st round promise when he skipped combine is now working out for a lot of teams right before draft. Was he injured early in process or was his promise taken back is the question.

I haven’t really heard much about the top guys on who has worked out for whom apart from Chet visited the Magic. I’d think all the top 4 in the draft could reasonably be expected to have worked out for the top 3 teams. Kings at 4 would look at as many of these as willing and Detroit, Pacers would cast their net over most of top 10.

Jovic could be a fit for any number of teams as said above and mid first round whilst some might say that would be 13 ro 18 if he was a likely late lottery pick we’d have probably heard more buzz on that so probably 15 ro 20 range. I’d like him at the Spurs personally.

I’d still back the Kings to take whoever is left from Chet, Jabari, Jaden and Banchero but if they do like Keegan Murray they may look to move down a spot or two in order to get him and and asset.

https://www.nbadraft.net/nba-mock-drafts/comments/?uid=91514
For some reason this site won’t let me post this on the main page… anyways, here’s my extended mock draft.

Extended 2022 Mock Draft (No trades)

1 Magic – Paolo Banchero – Duke – PF/C – 19.6
Orlando picks Paolo as a potential star of the team. The Magic are missing a go to guy and plan to use Banchero as just that.

2 Thunder – Jabari Smith – Auburn – F/C – 19.1
Thunder picks maybe the best shooter in the draft in Jabari Smith. He can play some defense too. OKC gets some needed front court help.

3 Rockets – Jaden Ivey – Purdue – G – 20.4
Rockets get Ivey as another ball handler and elite athlete on the court. Houston needs best talent around, Ivey is a sure fire good prospect.

4 Kings – Chet Holmgren – Gonzaga – F/C – 20.1
Kings get some immediate defensive intensity with Holmgren. He could be in the running for DPOY in the future.

5 Pistons – Shaedon Sharpe – Kentucky – SG/SF – 19.1
Pistons go for upside and expect growing pains from this pick. However, it’s possible Sharpe ends up the best in this draft class.

6 Pacers – Keegan Murray – Iowa – F – 21.8
Pacers draft maybe the most proven prospect in the draft and it’s a great fit in Keegan Murray to replace the often missing TJ Warren.

7 Blazers – AJ Griffin – Duke – SG/SF – 18.8
Blazers pick up a healthy AJ Griffin for his ability to shoot and create space on or off ball. This is a need for Portland.

8 Pelicans – Bennedict Mathurin – Arizona – SG/SF – 20.0
Pelicans need a shooter, and predominantly an off ball one. Mathurin is just that and in the range.

9 Spurs – Ousmane Dieng – NZ Breakers – SG/F – 19.1
Spurs seem to be rebuilding with youg upside. They need front court help and scoring. Dieng has potential to do both.

10 Wizards – Dyson Daniels – G League Ignite – G/SF – 19.3
Wizards like the speed and length of Daniels. They can use a connector guy like him too. His shot is coming around, could be good value.

11 Knicks – Jalen Duren – C – Memphis – 18.6
Knicks get their anchor for the next few years. How he falls is beyond me, but that seems to be the trend with 5s.

12 Thunder – Malaki Branham – SG/SF – Ohio State – 19.1
Thunder pick up another pure shooter in the draft, giving them some deadly shooting potentially always on the floor.

13 Hornets – Johnny Davis – G – Wisconsin – 20.3
Hornets get a secondary ball handler, scorer, and dirty work G in Johnny Davis. Hornets want to win now and Davis might be best player available.

14 Cavs – Jalen Williams – SG/F – Santa Clara – 21.2
Cavs really need an off ball outside shooter, especially on the wing. Williams checks all boxes and measured well. He’s impressed everyone.

15 Hornets – Mark Williams – C – Duke – 20.5
Hornets get their anchor on defense for the next few years. They draft a monster who won the combine I’ll say with measurements and force.

16 Hawks – Jeremy Sochan – F/C – Baylor – 19.1
Hawks need some defense badly. Sochan is just that. He can guard maybe anyone on the floor. This prospect has good upside.

17 Rockets – Nikola Jovic – F/C – Mega Basket – 19.0
Rockets pick another front court player in Jovic, who does have a mid first round promise somewhere. He could be in the Rockets youthful rotation.

18 Bulls – Tari Eason – F – LSU – 21.1
Bulls could use a wing or forward. They go best prospect available potentially in Tari Eason, a very versitile forward, especially on the defensive end.

19 T’Wolves – Blake Wesley – G – Notre Dame – 19.3
T’Wolves are going to address the backcourt since the long term needs to be addressed. Blake Wesley may not have measured well, but he’s young and out plays everyone.

20 Spurs – Dalen Terry – G/SF – Arizona – 19.9
Spurs can use an upgrade in a backcourt mate for Murray. Dalen Terry is a great connector guy for just that. He can do it all on both ends.

21 Nuggets – Caleb Houstan – SG/SF – Michigan – 19.5
Nuggets could address a couple areas. Here they get a replacement for MPJ if he goes down again from injury. Houstan is a long good athlete with a jumper.

22 Grizzlies – TyTy Washington – PG – Kentucky – 20.6
Grizzlies may lose Jones, but TyTy might be an upgrade anyways. He really played well when he was healthy. TyTy can be trusted with the keys.

23 76ers – Ochai Agbaji – SG/SF – Kansas – 22.2
76ers can use some more outside shooting. Agbaji can create space, is a solid athlete, and knocks down big shots. The champion lead Kansas the way for the title.

24 Bucks – EJ Liddell – PF/C – Ohio State – 21.5
Bucks can use more floor spacing shooters and maybe some defense. Liddell addresses both those needs. He’s a little short for a big, but still gets the job done.

25 Spurs – Ismael Kamagate – C – Paris Basketball – 21.4
Spurs need a big that can block shots and bring toughness to the team. The late blooming Kamagate has not only upside, but ready now defense. He dominated in France.

26 Rockets – Bryce McGowens – SG/SF – Nebraska – 19.6
Rockets get more wing depth here. Tate is on the block and KPJ at the 1 isn’t working. A wing in McGowens gives Rockets a solid rotation.

27 Heat – Jaden Hardy – SG – G League Ignite – 20.0
Heat shoot for upside and get a replacement for Oladipo here. The instant offense this guy has should provide a good bench boost to start with and of course he can grow.

28 Warriors – Jaylin Williams – PF/C – Arkansas – 20.0
Warriors get someone who can contribute right away and be a good passing and defensive minded hooper here. Williams went toe to toe with both Banchero and Holmgren.

29 Grizzlies – Jake LaRavia – F – Wake Forest – 20.6
Grizzlies swore up and down they will get some outside shooting in the front court. LaRavia is a perfect fit for the Grizzlies.

30 Thunder – Walker Kessler – C – Auburn – 20.9
Thunder get a sure fire defensive anchor here. Walker is the best at stopping the opponents statistically in this class. He erases shot looks.

31 Pacers – Wendell Moore, Jr. – SG/SF – Duke – 20.9
Pacers get a solid connector guy in Wendell Moore, Jr. He can do a little bit of everything and should immediately crack a rotation.

32 Magic – Christian Braun – SG/SF – Kansas – 21.2
Magic draft a solid wing to perhaps take the place of Terrance Ross. Braun would be able to contribute early with his championship experience.

33 Raptors – Andrew Nembhard – G – Gonzaga – 22.4
Raptors go with Nembhard, who can be an immediate help on the floor and a fan favorite. Nembhard performed well at the combine scrimmages.

34 Thunder – Gabriel Procida – SG/SF – Fortitudo Bologna – 20.1
Thunder grab Gabriel Procida and will make a decision to trade Dort or stash Procida for a year, or play someone in the G League. He can play.

35 Magic – Christian Koloko – C – Arizona – 22.0
Magic get a big strong rebounder and shot blocker to ensure they have a back up to Carter. Bamba might be moving on.

36 Blazers – Dominick Barlow – PF/C – Overtime Elite – 19.1
Blazers draft for a home run swing pick in Dom Barlow. He measured really well at the combine and is very young. Huge upside.

37 Kings – Max Christie – SG/SF – Michigan State – 19.4
Kings get a young 3&D player in Max Christie. Doubt he’s ever and alpha, but is a good fit for Sacramento on the wing.

38 Spurs – JD Davison – G – Alabama – 19.7
Spurs go for a big swing here in JD Davison. He didn’t do great in the combine, however he is a good athlete and the Spurs have great coaches.

39 Cavs – Kendall Brown – F – Baylor – 19.1
Cavs pick up a forward here in Brown. A huge if he gets a shot, this could be a steal. Regardless, this is a nice value pick.

40 T’Wolves – John Butler – PF/C – Florida State – 19.6
T’Wolves draft John Butler to bring some more defense in the front court. Butler should be able to guard multiple positions and can shoot.

41 Pelicans – Kennedy Chandler – PG – Tennessee – 19.8
Pelicans land Kennedy Chandler in their lap, and they just can’t say no. Only knock on him is his height. Very good value pick.

42 Knicks – Jean Montero – G – Overtime Elite – 19.0
Knicks pick up the crafty Montero to help out in their backcourt. Montero is good at creating for himself and others. He is a bit small though.

43 Clippers – Johnny Juzang – SG/SF – UCLA – 21.3
Clippers draft a hometown favorite in Johnny Juzang who is best known for not last year, but the previous years’ UCLA run to the final four.

44 Hawks – Ryan Rollins – G – Toledo – 20.0
Hawks go combo guard here as some help in the backcourt along side mostly Trae Young. He might end up in the G League for a year or so.

45 Hornets – Jordan Hall – G/SF – St. Joseph’s – 20.4
Hornets draft another guy who can handle the ball and play multiple positions on the floor. He could fit really well in a potential D’Antoni team…?

46 Pistons – Josh Minott – F – Memphis – 19.6
Pistons get a good athlete in Josh Minott. He is also an already very good defender and makes great switches on defense.

47 Grizzlies – Dereon Seabron – SG/F – NC State – 22.1
Grizzlies pick a player who can get to the rack whenever, guard whoever, and might be able to keep up with Ja. Seabron could improve his shot.

48 T’Wolves – Keon Ellis – SG/SF – T’Wolves – 22.5
T’Wolves pick the established Keon Ellis. He plays both ends of the court really well and T’Wolves want to win now.

49 Kings – Hugo Besson – G – NZ Breakers – 21.2
The Kings draft another shot creator. Besson is masterful at creating his own shots. Sometimes he shoots it much. He has great international experience.

50 T’Wolves – Alondes Williams – G – Wake Forest – 23.0
T’Wolves draft a ready to contribute and win now guard who might be the best passer in the draft. He is an older prospect, but worth the pick.

51 Warriors – Jamaree Bouyea – PG – San Francisco – 23.0
Warriors draft a hometown favorite pick in Jamaree Bouyea. He can flat out shoot and was a prolific scorer at SF. A little small, but a good athlete too.

52 Pelicans – Michael Foster, Jr. – PF/C – G League Ignite – 19.4
Pelicans pick up another young banger to help out in the frontcourt if anything during injury. Foster is young and has pro experience already.

53 Celtics – Matteo Spagnolo – G – Vanoli Cremona – 19.4
Celtics go Spagnolo and choose to stash him for a year or so. He is a similar player to Payton Pritchard, a player that he might challenge for a spot down the line.

54 Wizards – Karlo Matkovic – PF/C – Mega Basket – 21.2
Wizards get a springy big man with a touch, who played well overseas this past season. His strong combine helped his stock. Wizards want to win now.

55 Warriors – Ziga Samar – G – Fuenlabrada – 21.4
Warriors get another backup guard and a lengthy one at that. Samar and Bouyea will probably battle for a spot. Samar also could be stashed for a year.

56 Cavs – Isaiah Mobley – PF/C – USC – 21.7
Cavs please their big man Evan Mobley by selecting Isaiah Mobley. He maybe a fringe prospect, but he has good mid range game and can bang around with them.

57 Blazers – Trevion Williams – PF/C – Purdue – 21.8
Blazers went upside, now they pick someone that can contribute now. Williams can play some serious defense and is a good rebounder and underrated passer.

58 Pacers – MarJon Beauchamp – SG/F – G League Ignite – 21.7
Pacers pick an athlete. Beauchamp measured really well and is one of the better leapers of this class. He can improve his shot though.

I agree its annoying the draft with comments feature doesn’t work and fair play to you for typing this up. Banchero at 1 is a big pick personally I couldn’t take him over Jabari but that is just my opinion. In some ways I could see Banchero being the safest of the bigs at the top of the draft as I see his downside being borderline All Star.

Dieng is a reach at 9 but if Spurs were happy to take him at 9 I wouldn’t argue with their judgement. All picks make sense a lot would be in different order in my draft but no-one looks far too high or too low so another excellent mock.

I wonder to the extent to which some guys have their agents willing to take two-way deals or play a year overseas. There is a gap between which teams have picks and which teams can realistically bring in guys on NBA deals.

New Orleans has fourteen players under contract and the eighth pick overall, but then have #41 and #52. They aren’t taking BPA or even bringing anyone in on a NBA contract. It isn’t feasible. The problem mocking it is that you can’t know whether they sell it off or take someone who agrees to stay off the roster.

Golden State has two second rounders at the moment. I don’t think they want three rookies when they have had lottery picks they can’t play in the playoffs. I think they’ll want to sell at least one of them as their tax bill is high and not going to get smaller anytime soon, and maybe stash the other on a two-way.

Minnesota has three second round picks, and eleven guys already under contract. Maybe they keep one or two, but maybe the second they keep stays off the roster. They have to sell off one of them.

San Antonio has to want to consolidate picks as having four doesn’t really help them with how their roster looks. They already have a few good young players, and adding too many makes things incredibly difficult.

Orlando has nine guys under contract and eleven if you count Mo Wagner and Devin Cannady’s non-guaranteed deals. The top pick gives them twelve, and only Terrence Ross and Devin Cannady are over 25 years old. Do you they really want two second round picks on the roster? Can they realistically develop them when they will have six first round picks on rookie deals and three young vets they gave considerable second contracts to?

I guess the big question will be whether teams with no picks like the Lakers, Suns, and Jazz, or a teams like the Heat and Clippers who could stand to add a second pick are willing to ante up to buy a pick or two for someone they are targeting. I think the Lakers definitely will, but no sure about the rest. They could wait and have their pick of a number guys who will go untaken.

Yeah I read today a lot of people that people and even analysts think will get drafted this year won’t because their agents want to hand pick the teams they sign two way deals with as undrafted free agents much as Austin Reaves did last year.

If players down the draft get fussy about who picks them they could be clearly over looked . it’s not like Steve Francis not wanting to go to Canada.

What is the rules about signing a first round guy even often European players are stashed but could a college guy be drafted by a team with multiple first rounders late in first round and not be signed. Overseas players like Tiago Splitter and Joel Freeland waited several years to get into the NBA but had decent Euro gigs. Drafting a US guy and not signing him could leave him in limbo but if he was an NBA drafted guy he’d likely get overseas offers for decent money.

Yes Orlando didn’t sign Cheme Okeke the year they drafted him because of his injury and they knew he was going to be out the full year so they signed him the following year kicking in his rookie contract a year later.

Givony reported last night Top 4 is locked in according to executives with Smith, Holgrem, Banchero, and Ivey (Kings will be trading him). If that doesn’t happen will be shocking around league according to him.

Jonathan Givony now has Keegan Murray going to Detroit at 5. First time Murray has been in their top 5. A lot of us had him going to Pacers at 6 so going up one spot isn’t a shock. Jerami Grant is in the last year of his deal and is 28 now so signing a younger long term replacement makes sense especially if they can flip Jerami for an asset.

Ivey seems likely to go to the Kings but they may flip him in a package with lots of teams further down the lottery interested in him.

Pistons just traded Jerami Grant to Portland for a 2025 first round pick

Looks a good deal for both sides and Detroit targeting Murray makes sense. Portland had a big exception they can absorb Jerami with and Detroit have over $40 million cap space to look at FAs or more likely take some salary dumps for assets. Grant gives Lillard a potential 20ppg running mate and if they can get a good prospect with 7th pick and Lillard back next season to his elite best they can be back in play off contention.

Grant being in contract year and eligible for a huge extension later in the year will be huge motivation for him and would give Lillard a running mate for the rest of his career potentially.

So Portland clearly not blowing it up any bets on Utah?

Unless any major news comes out here is my final mock
1. Orlando- Jabari Smith
2. OKC- Chet Holgrem
3. Houston- Paolo Banchero
4. Sacramento- Jaden Ivey
5. Detroit- Keegan Murray
6. Indiana- Benedict Mathurin
7. Portland- Shaedon Sharpe
8. NO- Dyson Daniels
9. SA- Ousmane Dieng
10. Washington- Johnny Davis
11. NY- AJ Griffin
12. OKC- Jeremy Sochan
13. Charlotte- Jalen Duren
14. Cleveland- Ochai Agbaji
15. Charlotte- Malaki Branham
16. Atlanta- Jalen Williams
17. Houston- Tari Eason
18. Chicago- Mark Williams
19. Minnesota- Walker Kessler
20. San Antonio- Nikola Jovic
21. Denver- Blake Wesley
22. Memphis- Kennedy Chandler
23. Philadelphia- EJ Lidell
24. Milwaukee- Wendell Moore
25. San Antonio- Marjon Beacuhamp
26. Houston- TyTy Washington
27. Miami- Dalen Terry
28. Golden State- Jake Laravia
29. Memphis-Jaden Hardy
30. Denver- David Roddy
31. Indiana- Patrick Baldwin
32. Orlando- Andrew Nembhard
33. Toronto- Ismael Kamagate
34. OKC- Kendall Brown
35. Orlando- Josh Minott
36. Detroit- Dominick Barlow
37. Sacramento- Ryan Rollins
38. San Antonio- Caleb Houstan
39. Cleveland- Jean Montero
40. Minnesota- Christian Braun
41. NO- Gabriel Procida
42. NY- Bryce McGowans
43. LAC- Peyton Watson
44. Atlanta- Trevor Keels
45. Charlotte- Christian Koloko
46. Portland- Max Christie
47. Memphis- Jaylin Williams
48. Minnesota- Justin Lewis
49. Sacramento- Jabari Walker
50. Minnesota- Michael Foster
51. GS- John Butler
52. NO- Dereon Seabron
53. Boston- JD Davison
54. Washington- Aminu Mohammed
55. Golden State- Ron Harper Jr
56. Cleveland- Keon Ellis
57. Portland- Hugo Besson
58. Indiana- Yannick Nzosa

Actually tweaked the last 10 or so picks
49. Sacramento- Khalifa Diop
50. Minnesota- Michael Foster
51. GS- Ron Harper Jr
52. NO- Dereon Seabron
53. Boston- JD Davison
54. Washington- Alondes Williams
55. Golden State- Yannick Nzosa
56. Cleveland- Jabari Walker
57. Portland- Hugo Besson
58. Indiana- Trevion Williams

I like NBA Draft regardless, but always better when your team is in it. Lakers getting #35 probably looking at Wendall Moore and Andrew Nembhard (who would be gone in my draft), Christian Braun, Caleb Houstan, and Trevor Keels. Would be happy with either Keels or if he is gone Braun.

Draft looks pretty good Armchair GM. teams with multiple picks balanced out pretty well.

2nd round has changed a little after Lakers and Cleveland trades today.

It is always dangerous to think this about a Sacramento Kings move, but Vezenkov is a good pick up for them. Cleveland acquired him prior to getting Markkanen and Mobley, so they probably get him over to be buried on the depth chart. My guess is the 2nd rounder they got is just to make a proper trade. I don’t imagine Cleveland is desperate to add 2nd rounders to their G-League team, but it is better than closing off the NBA to a guy because they don’t have an opening. In Sacramento, he has a chance. He was a quick release shooter when Brooklyn drafted him, and his offensive game really rounded out at Olympiacos. He and Domantas Sabonis won’t make for the most defensive frontcourt, but it is not as if the Kings were stopping anybody.

It will be interesting to see what Lakers do at 35. I’d say BPA or best available shooter.

There are 15 guys in their range I like and hope they land one of them of course unless someone slips that is projected to be long gone by their pick. In this order:
1. Jaylin Williams
2. Gabriel Procida
3. Josh Minott
4. Kennedy Chandler (gone in my mock)
5. Kendall Brown ( gone in my mock)
6. Jean Montero
7. Trevor Keels (top guy on list Lakers worked out so would be my favorite for pick)
8. Bryce McGowans
9. Marjon Beauchamp (gone in my mock)
10. Patrick Baldwin (gone in my mock)
11. Caleb Houstan
12. Justin Lewis
13. Peyton Watson
14. David Roddy (gone in my mock)
15. Max Christie

Not thrilled with all of those prospects, but Jaylin Williams would be solid. I think Warriors get him in the 1st or somewhere around there someone will so 35s not far off. Caleb Houstan I guess might be there too, I think he’s gone in the first though too.

Anyways, has anyone else seen Chet’s ridiculous bling he’s wearing? Pretty funny stuff. He bets on himself. Lol!

Woj just said Paolo might go 1…

oops, should have stuck with my extended mock at least with this first pick… site crashed and I couldn’t change it back. Lol!

Strange Orlando take a guy they never even worked out but Banchero might be the safest pick in the top 3 bigs.

Shams is leaking quicker than Woj this year.

Damn 4 for 8 so far. I really thought someone was going to trade up for Ivey at #4 I knew Murray was Kings man should be 6 of 8 if I went with my gut.

crazy trades already… Detroit so far has won the draft.

You watching on ABC the wrong channel. No Stephen A Smith on ESPN coverage.
Def best mock I have had in a few years 8 picks correct (should be 11 damn moved Mark Williams out of Charlotte 15 spot yesterday when I thought Jalen Duren was going to fall to them at 13) at least I got Duren in right spot.

Things are getting interesting now. Memphis must really like Laravia to trade 2 of their firsts to go up and get him especially when #21 was about the highest he was thought to have risen to and they had the #22 pick. Plus Minnesota still got their man I had them taking at #19 in Walker Kesser at 22. Great trade by Timberwolves.

Also Christian Braun going so high was surprising. Biggest guy I have been off on so far I had him in my 40s. I thought highest he would go was end of 1st round between 27-30.

Lakers had to take probably the guy I liked the least in this years draft and thought had the biggest bust potential in Max Christie haha.

Detroit IMO had the best draft of any team they got their backcourt sorted longterm and got IMO the next best big after the 4 at the top of the draft in Duren.

Houston ended up with the bonus of getting Jabari Smith at 3 and adding Eason at 17 they have their frontcourt in order and TyTy is a nice pick up at 29.

The Knicks moves are interesting but they do have 4 potential first rounders next year and $35 million worth of team options in 2023 so they will have the ammo to make a big trade as well as make a FA run next summer.

The Thunder have got 3 guys in the top 12 and added some insane length to their team and will give the guys playing time as Presti is always happy to allow the team to develop and take extra lottery trips until they get it right.

Dyson Daniels gives NOP another ball handler so the team has numerous creative players who if they can gel and get Zion back could be a legit top 6 play off team next year.

Sharpe for Portland is a good pick up, he may need time but he could be the post Lillard building block.

Sochan could be a reach at 9 but the Spurs rarely draft badly and covered several team needs last night.

Patrick Baldwin has landed in a dream situation with GSW and if their star players cannot improve him I don’t know who can. He may only get garbage minutes but he’ll get open shots and can use his size and both ends and fit into a defined role on a powerhouse team.