NBA Draft 2022: Draft grades for all 1st round pick selections

4. Sacramento Kings – F Keegan Murray (Iowa Hawkeyes) – Draft Grade: B+

There were several options the Kings could’ve gone with at No. 4 and they went with a forward in Murray who compliments the guards and Domantas Sabonis offensively. There may have been guys with higher upside but the All-Big Ten forward has one of the highest floors and can make an impact immediately. Most importantly, Murray fills a need for Sacramento without stepping on DeAaron Fox’s toes.

5. Detroit Pistons – G Jaden Ivey (Purdue Boilermakers) – Draft Grade: B-

It’s hard to be down on a team taking the best perimeter prospect in the draft at No. 5 without having to trade up. And Ivey has real potential in the NBA as a scoring guard now that he’ll have plenty of room to operate and use his speed and athleticism. My issue is the fit with last year’s No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham. Both guards need the ball and Ivey hasn’t shown that he can play off-ball well or shoot it. There’s potential if it works out but I have to see it first.

6. Indiana Pacers – G/F Bennedict Mathurin (Arizona Wildcats) – Draft Grade: B

May feel like a small reach for the Pac-12 Player of the Year but Mathurin is a perfect fit on the wings for the Pacers. He’s a legit scorer with size and more importantly takes a position of need off the board for a franchise that is set on rebuilding this offseason. Now they can focus on the backcourt and center position in the next couple of drafts assuming Mathurin works out.