NBA Draft 2022: Updated mock draft post combine and lottery results

6. Indiana Pacers – Keegan Murray – Iowa – Forward – Junior

With the top five prospects off the board, I can see Indiana reaching for one of the more surefire, rotational bets in Murray. Murray dominated college basketball, doing a little bit of everything. He improved drastically as a jump-shooter, is a plus cutter, and is scrappy offensive rebounder. Given his insane usage, his defense slipped a bit. But he moves very well, should guard a few positions, and freshman year Murray showed some impressive weakside rim-protection flashes. He has a long ways to go as a self-creator, and while yes he was a late-bloomer, he will be 22 on draft night.

After swapping Sabonis for Haliburton, the Pacers have a void at the four which Murray should fill right away. Unlike other lottery teams, I don’t foresee the Pacers dying to enter the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes with a core of Haliburton- Malcolm Brogdon – Chris Duarte – Myles Turner. So Murray should help them be better from game one, even if he’s not a future All-Star.

7. Portland Trail Blazers – Benedict Mathurin – Arizona – Wing – Sophomore

Another team that probably isn’t looking to tank, especially with Damian Lillard back healthy. They also need wing depth badly. I prefer Adrian Griffin Jr. to Mathurin, and I’d probably take Jeremy Sochan too, but given Mathurin seems more ready to start on the wing, I think they’ll take the Canadian byproduct.

Mathurin measured in at 6’6 and showed he is a plus shooter with good shot prep and mechanics and the ability to hit shots off the move. He’s limited off the dribble, but playing next to Lillard and Anfernee Simons, he probably won’t be asked to do much dribbling aside from attacking closeouts. My hold-up is I didn’t think he was a great defender in college despite his physical tools and guarding will only get more challenging.

It’s plausible Mathruin is just a really good wing shooter and I’m not sure without other ancillary skills how valuable that is. I think Griffin Jr. and Sochan are better in the long-term, but Mathurin is better in the short-term and that might be what Lillard is looking for.

8. New Orleans Pelicans – Dyson Daniels – G-League Ignite – Guard – 2003

The Pelicans are, in my opinion, the best team in the lottery. They have an interesting mix of vets (Brandon Ingram, C.J. McCollum, Jonas Valanciunas), young guys (Herb Jones, Trey Murphy, Jaxson Hayes, Jose Alvarado), and the giant x-factor in Zion Williamson. I was torn between Daniels and Johnny Davis, but I went with Daniels.

With Daniels in the fold, the Pelicans could roll out some incredibly-long and menacing defensive units. Daniels is arguably the best perimeter defender in the class with his length, quick hands, and instincts. His rotations stuck out in the Ignite games. Offensively, the fit is murkier as Daniels jumper needs some reworking at this stage. But he is a plus passer and could be operate out of the pick-and-roll, or as a connecting piece off the ball when the more ball-dominant stars have the ball.

9. San Antonio Spurs – Jeremy Sochan – Baylor – Forward – Freshman

Another team I’m not exactly sure what their end goal is. They shocked everyone by taking Josh Primo at No. 12 last year, and he still looks a ways away developmentally. They are probably looking for a wing or four-man here, so I think they’ll go with Sochan.

Sochan was a late-riser in the season as his minutes and usage increased. He’s the most versatile defender in this class, having legitimate All-Defense potential down the line. The offense is raw right now, but he had some encouraging flashes as a ball-handler and playmaker. The shot needs work but I think he can become passable. Sochan is a good athlete, with long arms, and plus movement skills so the hope is that he is an elite defender with the ability to play finish, operate in the short roll and in dribble-handoffs, and hit some threes. The Spurs spacing isn’t great already, meaning Sochan would muddy things up a bit. But the defensive potential with him, Dejounte Murray, and Devin Vassell could be really interesting.

10. Washington Wizards – Mark Williams – Duke – Center – Sophomore

The Wizards are looking to compete for the playoffs next year with a core of Bradley Beal, Kristaps Porzingis, and Kyle Kuzma, so I think they go for more ready-now help up front with Williams instead of Duren.

Williams had some elite measurements at the combine, standing at 7’2, a 7’7 wingspan, and 9’9 standing reach. He’s the ideal mold for a lob threat and rim-protector. He does have a tendency to over help for blocks, but it was noticeable how impactful he was for Duke last season. Williams probably never develops into much of a facilitator or shooter, but his sheer size and easily projectable archetype should help them from day one.