NBA Draft 2022: Draft grades for all 1st round pick selections
The 2022 NBA Draft went and gone mostly without a hitch unless you’re a fan of Jalen Duren and didn’t know where he was going. There was a feeling of who Orlando was going to take at No. 1 (Jabari Smith) but it turned out that a different name was called (Paolo Banchero). The speculation started at No. 4 and while one Big Ten star was predicted to go, it was another guy from that league that got picked.
There were power conference studs, mid-major surprises, and interesting picks to say the least throughout the first round. Who did the best and who didn’t? Here’s how I would grade all 30 first-round picks.
1. Orlando Magic – F Paolo Banchero (Duke Blue Devils) – Draft Grade: A
There will be plenty of debate as to whether or not Banchero is the most-ready player to contribute right now as a rookie and it looked like the Magic agreed. The former Duke star is a 6’10 power forward whose offensive game is perfect for today’s NBA and helps balance out the offense. This team has so much young talent that they didn’t have to swing for the fences, just landing a guy that should average at least 18 and 8 in his career is a good pick for them.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder – F/C Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga Bulldogs) – Draft Grade: A+
While Orlando and Houston were playing games with the other two projected top-3 picks, OKC held steady and made the easy pick for Holmgren. The 7’0 forward and former WCC Defensive Player of the Year not only can be an elite rim protector, but he can also spread the floor and shoot 40% from deep. And by the time Holmgren adds a little more weight to withstand the beatings, the Thunder will be good enough to actually compete for a playoff spot.
3. Houston Rockets – F Jabari Smith (Auburn Tigers) – Draft Grade: A+
The least surprising move possible, the Rockets take the guy that had the highest offensive ceiling in the draft in Smith, a 6’10 forward that can shoot like few can. Houston has some guards to work with and now a frontcourt player that in a few years could become the best offensive team in the league.