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

19. Memphis Grizzlies – PF Jake LaRavia (Wake Forest Demon Deacons) – Draft Grade: C-

Memphis traded a lot of draft capital (picks 22 and 29) to move up to get a guy in LaRavia that likely would’ve been around at 22 range. Feels like a waste of a first-round pick to move up but the 6’9 stretch forward gives the Grizzlies a different option at the four-spot offensively compared to Xavier Tillman and Brandon Clarke. That alone could make it worth it.

20. San Antonio Spurs – Wing Malaki Branham (Ohio State Buckeyes) – Draft Grade: A+

Had the Spurs taken Branham at No. 9, it would’ve been viewed as a slight reach but not a bad pick. At No. 20, it’s a massive pickup of great value and gives them another potential starter on the wing. Sochan can play the four-spot to make this worthwhile but between the two, Branham, a 6’6 shooter and shot-creator, may have the higher ceiling.

21. Denver Nuggets – G/W Christian Braun (Kansas Jayhawks) – Draft Grade: D

When fully healthy, the Nuggets are a title-contending team for next season. There were a couple of options in the backcourt that could have an immediate impact but instead, they went with a wing that’s solid everywhere but not great. Can Braun make a rotation spot with Denver? I’m not sure and there were players they could’ve taken that had a higher ceiling down the road.