NBA Draft 2022: 3 biggest strengths and weaknesses overall in the class

Weakness: International Class

Like the guard group, this was not perceived as a super strong group of international prospects entering the season. Yannick Nzosa was the headliner, but a somewhat disastrous offensive season has slipped him to the end of the second round. Roko Prkacin struggled before suffering an injury and looks another year away. Nikola Jovic had some flashes of playmaking at his size, but a subpar shooting season.

Ousmane Dieng has come on late in the NBL. He’s a big, rangy, that can guard multiple positions. He might just be a ways away from a positive NBA contribution. Nonetheless, in a class that lacks star upside, it’s plausible Dieng goes in the top-20 and is the first international prospect off the board. Also in the NBL, Hugo Besson had a productive season as the lead ball-handler for the New Zealand Breakers. He’s not overly big or a great shooter, but will likely get drafted.

There have been at least three first-round picks in every draft since 2018 and four lottery picks (not including LaMelo Ball who played overseas but is from the United States), and this year’s class has a chance to have under three first-round picks.

Dieng and Jovic will likely end up in the first round, with Besson and Ismael Kamagate having a shot as well. But, there are potentially zero lottery picks. None of their tape really blew me away as a lot of the appeal of Dieng and Jovic is theoretical.