NBA Draft 2022: Final mock draft predictions of all 58 picks
23. Philadelphia 76ers – Jake Laravia (Wake Forest Demon Deacons)
Alondes Willimas rightfully got most of the attention but Laravia is the better draft prospect, listed at 6’9 and can shoot 37% from deep and 55% from the field overall. He’s a good athlete and overall scorer and his game should translate well to the next level.
The 76ers have James Harden, Tyrese Maxey, and Joel Embiid as the key core and a few good role players but they could use more shooting to help with the spacing, especially whenever Matisse Thybulle is on the court. He may be a “reach” but Laravia fits with Philadelphia and what they need.
24. Milwaukee Bucks – Patrick Baldwin Jr. (Milwaukee Panthers)
The 6’9 forward/wing and former five-star prospect had a miserable freshman season at Milwaukee and did even worse at the draft combine when it came to some of the tests. But when he was healthy, Baldwin Jr. was a great shooter and could score at ease, although it was at the Horizon League level.
The premise here is that the “pro” Milwaukee basketball team wouldn’t need Baldwin to do anything other than shoot and give them more size. Even if he isn’t a big-time prospect with high potential, he gives the Bucks good value towards the end of the first round with little risk if it doesn’t work out.
25. San Antonio Spurs – Jaden Hardy (NBA G League)
A former five-star prospect in the 2022 class, Hardy had his ups and downs in the G League and didn’t look like a go-to option yet. He’ll have to work his way up there but the potential is still there with him long-term for a franchise to take a risk at this point in the draft.
After taking Mathurin and Williams already, I may be making a poor decision by drafting a trio of perimeter players on a roster that already has a lot of guards. However, I don’t think any of the bigs left are worth taking at 25, and taking a risk with these guards will help the Spurs finally get out of the middle of the conference, which is actually worst than being at the bottom when it comes to setting up for the future.