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NBA Draft 2022: Which first round draft picks recieved the best grades?

By Brandon Simberg

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: NBA commissioner Adam Silver and Paolo Banchero pose for photos after Banchero was drafted with the 1st overall pick by the Orlando Magic during the 2022 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: NBA commissioner Adam Silver and Paolo Banchero pose for photos after Banchero was drafted with the 1st overall pick by the Orlando Magic during the 2022 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Kentucky player Shaedon Sharpe
Kentucky player Shaedon Sharpe /

6. Indiana Pacers: Benedict Mathurin – Wing – Arizona
Grade: B

Mathurin is a good player, who fits the mold of a prototypical three-and-D wing. A wing-sized shooter, with good leaping ability, Mathurin should be able to help the Pacers from day one. I’m a bit lower on him as a prospect given he didn’t show much on the ball and was a solid but not great defender. But the shooting is elite and will help space the floor for Tyrese Haliburton.

In all honesty, I’m not exactly sure what the Pacers want to be exactly or where they needed to fill holes, so taking another wing is never a bad idea. It was honestly just a tough spot to draft at with their top targets gone, they clearly didn’t want to take the risk that is Shaedon Sharpe.

7. Portland Trailblazers – Shaedon Sharpe – Wing – Kentucky
Grade: B-

A round of applause for Sharpe, who managed to not play a single minute of college basketball and still wound up as the 7th pick. He has all the physical tools to be a serious wing scorer in the NBA. Good burst downhill with the ball, elite athlete, and some pull-up shooting flashes. I think his passing gets underrated a bit too. Sharpe wasn’t great defensively, but superstar prospects usually don’t exert too much energy on that end so I’m not sure what level it’s at.

Sharpe was the best player available on my board, but I’m not sure how good he’s going to be as a rookie after missing a year of game reps. Which would be fine for most lottery teams, but with an aging Damian Lillard and acquiring Jerami Grant before the draft, I assumed they’d go for a more ready player. I would have preferred Jeremy Sochan here. But Sharpe was the best player available and is maybe more ready than I think so I don’t hate it.

8. New Orleans Pelicans: Dyson Daniels – Guard – G-League Ignite
Grade: A

A late-riser on my board, Daniels is a seamless fit with the Pelicans both for their current plans and future plans. Daniels has a good positional size and is a menacing point of attack defender, he can guard 1-3. Offensively, he was used as an initiator for G-League Ignite and while he won’t have the same usage for the Pelicans, he can use that in a connecting way. Daniels isn’t a great shooter right now, but the Pelicans won’t ask him to do too much right away.

Defensively, there’s a lot of upside here. Herb Jones was one of the best defenders in last year’s rookie class, with Jose Alvarado providing some defense in the back-court. But to add another positive defender from the jump is a very positive thing for a team trying to win now.

9. San Antonio Spurs: Jeremy Sochan – Forward – Baylor
Grade: A

The Spurs were one of the teams I was more interested in. They shocked everyone by drafting Josh Primo 12th in last year’s draft, and have an interesting young core in place, but no real centerpiece outside of Dejounte Murray, meaning they could go in a variety of ways here. Ultimately, they settled on the defensive swiss-army knife in Sochan. A big, versatile, defender, Sochan guarded multiple spots for Baylor last season. He moves well laterally and wasn’t a great shot blocker, but altered some shots.

The offense is raw, but Sochan had flashed some playmaking and ball skills at his size and can be utilized in different actions. The shooting needs to come around, but San Antonio is notoriously a great place to develop in that regard. If Sochan does shoot, he’s easily returning top nine value in this class.

Sochan has a chance to crack the Spurs starting lineup next year at the four, but there are more veteran options if he’s not ready. He will have some bad moments on offense, but I don’t think they’re necessarily looking to win the title so it’s alright. He was No. 9 on my board and I like the fit, so I like the pick.

10. Washington Wizards: Johnny Davis – Guard – Wisconsin
Grade: A

I have been a big fan of Davis’ all year and so for him to fall this far, and a need for backcourt depth, this is a win-win. Davis is a competitive, hard-nosed player that is probably best served playing off the ball, which is fine next to Bradley Beal. He battled injuries the second half of the season and didn’t look like the player he was in November/December, but he’s one of the better defensive guards in this class to me.

Davis is a good mix of some room to grow but also helps them in the present. With Beal likely signing a long-term extension, and veterans like Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma under contract, the Wizards want to win now. If given real opportunity, which he feasibly could be behind Beal and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, I think Davis could make a run at an All-Rookie team.

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