NBA Draft 2022: Updated mock draft post combine and lottery results
11. New York Knicks – Adrian Griffin Jr. – Duke – Wing- Freshman
It feels like the Knicks like to take the big-name players, and while Griffin Jr. had a somewhat mild season from a production standpoint, he is still considered a big-name prospect. Once viewed as one of the top guys in this freshman class, Griffin Jr. missed his 17u AAU season because of Covid, and his senior season with a leg injury. He was eased back into playing with Duke, not becoming a regular starter/key piece until conference play.
When Griffin Jr. did find his rhythm, he was an absurdly good shooter, hitting 44% from deep on good volume. There are some skeptics about his unorthodox form and wide base, but I’m not overly concerned as long as he continues to make shots. I do wonder what level of athlete he really is. At 6’6, his 8 dunks are pretty low and despite being a large wing, he didn’t use his strength functionally. His foot speed attacking off the bounce and on defense both seemed to lag.
He’s incredibly young and has lost a ton of game reps already, so he could develop those weaknesses over time, I’m just not sure how confident I am that he does that. The Knicks have some older wings on the roster and may not need him right away, which could help ease him into the NBA.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder – Johnny Davis – Wisconsin – Guard – Sophomore
Again, the Thunder are always a bit of a mystery and they have been mocked to take raw Australian wing Ousmane Dieng here by experts. But in this mock, they go clear “best player available” and go with Davis to continue to stock young talent, and have a player who doesn’t need as much development.
Davis burst onto the scene with some incredible performances early in the season. He seemed a bit hobbled towards the end of the year and his percentages dipped as he clearly looked less athletic, but he somehow managed to carry a mediocre Wisconsin roster to a Big Ten title. Davis’ raw-shooting numbers weren’t great, but he was asked to take a lot of difficult ones.
The underlying problem is that Davis had some problems with space creation, but he’ll get way more open looks with better NBA spacing. He’s not overly athletic but has enough leaping, strength, and touch to be a good finisher. I also think he’s already a polished defender, especially at the point of attack. Davis can play off of either of Oklahoma City’s lead guards while taking on defensive assignments. A competitor and winner, he should help them from day one.
13. Charlotte Hornets – Ochai Agbaji – Kansas – Wing – Senior
The Hornets badly need a big, and Jalen Duren is the best prospect available here. But, with also having the 15th pick and the already frontcourt-heavy Cavs picking at 14, they wait a pick.
Agbaji had a monster senior season leading the Jayhawks to a National Championship. He shot the cover off ball to start the season while being a plus finisher at the rim. I do wonder exactly what level of a shooter he is, after three solid seasons, then a senior season inflated by an early hot streak. But, it should be good enough.
He’s an above-average defender with a good frame and elite screen navigation. He doesn’t do much off the bounce, but probably won’t be asked to. He’s also noticeably older for the class but is already incredibly polished. The Hornets will look to contend in Lamelo Ball’s third year, so stockpiling an NBA-ready “three-and-D” wing should help.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers – Malaki Branham – Ohio State – Wing – Freshman
The Cavaliers young core exceeded expectations by making the play-in game last season. They have an elite young point guard and front-court pieces already, so I think they’ll look wing here.
Branham broke out during conference play with multiple 30-point outings. He shot the ball well, and showed some tough shot-making in the midrange. We’ve seen guys that can hit tough long twos extend their range before in their development and I think Branham can do that. There were some encouraging playmaking flashes too, which will be huge as a weakside creator playing off the ball. He needs to add weight considering he’s only 6’5 and not the best athlete, but the pressure won’t be on him from day one. And hey, the last time the Cavaliers drafted someone from St. Vincent St. Mary’s, I’m pretty sure it worked out.
15. Charlotte Hornets – Jalen Duren – Memphis – Center – Freshman
Largely viewed as a lottery-level talent, it wouldn’t stun me if Duren slipped a bit. A highly touted prospect, Duren had some great highs and low lows as a prospect in a clearly weird Memphis system.
Duren didn’t measure at the NBA combine, but seeing him in person he definitely looked undersized for a five. But, he’s well-built and an elite vertical leaper. Duren showed some incredible flashes as a rim protector, making absurd rotations for blocks. As a lob threat, he should have a large catch radius with his leaping. But the appeal of Duren in the top ten hinges on development in other areas.
Once comped to Bam Adebayo, Duren clearly has a long ways to go as a processor in the half-court. The jump shot also didn’t look much better from his 17U Nike EYBL season and I have little faith he’s ever taking threes. Duren is one of the youngest prospects in the class, so there’s hope for long-term development. And even if he never reaches that level that was once expected, the physical tools should at least help him stick.