2022 NBA Mock Draft Notes: Mock vs. Results

A look at who I went with vs. the official results.

Final Mock:

1. Orlando Magic: Jabari Smith
2. Oklahoma City Thunder: Chet Holmgren
3. Houston Rockets: Paolo Banchero
4. Sacramento Kings: Jaden Ivey
5. Detroit Pistons: Keegan Murray 
6. Indiana Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin
7. Portland Trail Blazers: Shaedon Sharpe
8. New Orleans Pelicans: Dyson Daniels
9. San Antonio Spurs: Jalen Duren
10. Washington Wizards: Johnny Davis
11. New York Knicks: AJ Griffin
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jeremy Sochan
13. Charlotte Hornets: Mark Williams
14. Cleveland Cavaliers: Ousmane Dieng

Actual Results: 

1. Orlando Magic: Paolo Banchero
2. Oklahoma City Thunder: Chet Holmgren
3. Houston Rockets: Jabari Smith
4. Sacramento Kings: Keegan Murray
5. Detroit Pistons: Jaden Ivey
6. Indiana Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin
7. Portland Trail Blazers: Shaedon Sharpe
8. New Orleans Pelicans: Dyson Daniels
9. San Antonio Spurs: Jeremy Sochan
10. Washington Wizards: Johnny Davis
11. New York Knicks (traded to OKC): Ousmane Dieng
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jalen Williams
13. Charlotte Hornets (traded to Detroit): Jalen Duren
14. Cleveland Cavaliers: Ochai Agbaji

        Notes:

Paolo Banchero goes #1: 

As I wrote in my last mock, the sportsbooks having Banchero going 1st and the way Orlando handled their draft process last year made it no surprise he could be selected 1st by the Magic. However, I stuck with the intel of Adrian Wojnarowski and myself, and based the pick off that. Woj is definitely a trusted source, so you can’t go wrong there, but I’ve said all along Smith is the best player in this draft and would have gone with him. Despite the differences, I love both prospects and had them in my top 20 rankings as the top two players overall.

Chet Holmgren stays at #2: 

Banchero & Smith changed spots, but Holmgren stayed put at 2 to OKC. Like I said before, going to a small ball team like the Thunder was the best case scenario for the 195 pound Chet. He can play on the wing more and not have to be in the paint as much. From fit to playing style, I think Chet is very happy with his landing spot.

Jabari Smith drops to #3 with something to prove: 

Smith was the favorite to go #1 throughout the predraft process. However, Orlando passed on him. So if you thought he was motivated before, this just brings even more fuel. The competitiveness he brings to every moment he’s on the floor makes this even more of a no-brainer for me that Smith will be the best player in the 2022 class.

Scouts in love with Jaden Ivey, but Kings take Keegan Murray 4th: 

I put out a notes article…