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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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NBA Draft Walker Kessler Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Draft Walker Kessler Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

21. Denver Nuggets: Christian Braun – Wing – Kansas

Grade: B

They did it…the Nuggets finally drafted a wing! A clear need here, the Nuggets go away from drafting size or smaller shot-makers and snagged Braun. Braun’s athletic testing and measuring in at 6’7 helped him in the process as well as his play down the stretch of the season. He’s a good positional defender, though he shouldn’t be asked for the toughest wing assignments, has some dribble-pass-shoot in him but needs to be confident as a shooter to really excel. Nikola Jokic is one of the best shot-creators in the league, so open shots will be there. He’s got a pretty clear path to early playing time and should help them try to compete at the top of the West.

22. Minnesota Timberwolves: Walker Kessler – Center Auburn

Grade: C

I knew the Timberwolves were in the market for a big, so I’m not surprised they took Kessler but I would have preferred Christian Koloko here. Kessler finished at No. 42 on my board. I worry about his ability to guard in space and if he’ll do anything on offense. He has the length to be a lob threat but has slow load time as a leaper and is pretty-contact averse.

The Timberwolves ask their bigs to operate out of dribble hand-offs and create in the short-roll and that’s just not something Kessler does well right now. I do think he adds value as a rim protector, which is always needed, I just don’t see the upside here and think they could have taken a wing or backcourt swing (Blake Wesley).

23. Memphis Grizzlies (via Philadelphia 76ers): David Roddy – Forward – Memphis

Grade: B+

The Grizzlies got off De’anthony Melton’s contract to move into this spot and take Roddy, a prolific scorer, and shot-maker in the Mountain West. Roddy is someone who will be asked to play a bit of a different role in the NBA, but I think he can easily be scaled down a bit. He’s a good catch-and-shoot player, who for the first time in the last few years, will have open looks created for him. He showed plus passing in self-creation, so now in NBA actions or short-roll scenarios he should be able to use that skill. I think he’s a better finisher and athlete than he gets credit for.

Defense will always be a bit of an issue for Roddy, but the Grizzles have the pieces around them to make up for/hide it a bit. He can maybe play some small-ball five in the playoffs. The Grizzlies used their two picks to get bigger, high-IQ players that have good ancillary skills and make them better on the margins. A very Grizzlies draft, but a good one. I like what they did.

24. Milwaukee Bucks: Marjon Beauchamp – Wing – G-League Ignite

Grade: C

I never hate just stocking up on wings, especially when you don’t have a ton of holes like Milwaukee, Beauchamp just isn’t my guy. He does a lot of wing stuff pretty well, but aside from being a pretty good athlete, I don’t know what’s going to translate over. He struggled with shooting consistency in the G-League, is a solid but not great cutter, is a pretty good but not elite cutter, will be better in transition than the half-court, and doesn’t do a ton as a passer.

Beauchamp has decent position size and can maybe stick if he continues to show linear growth in his development (he has gotten much better over the last few years) but if he’s not a great shooting it could make his fit with Giannis Antetokounmpo weird. I would have preferred Wendell Moore, Kendall Brown, or Keon Ellis here.

25. San Antonio Spurs: Blake Wesley – Guard – Notre Dame

Grade: A

Another huge win for the Spurs as I had Wesley 12th on my final board. He’s definitely a bit of a project, so I get why he fell. But Wesley is one of the best advantage creators in the class, getting to the paint at will in the ACC last season. He’s an inconsistent shooter but had some elite pull-up shooting flashes. He also was a very good on-ball defender, which could make a fun tandem with Dejounte Murray and Devin Vassell on that end of the floor.

He definitely has some growing pains to go through, needs to bulk up, and improve as a finisher. But the Spurs can give him the runway to do so either in the NBA or G-League. I truly believe in a few years, Wesley is someone who goes much higher in a redraft a few years from now.

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