2022 NBA Draft Board

June 23, 2022

Introduction

A proper intro-type blurb will be somehwere in my 2018, 2019, 2020, 2016-2020 draft retrospective, or 2021 posts. I don't feel like copying it here; these posts are mostly for posterity. As per last year, the draft snuck up on me so this was a bit rushed (please excuse any spelling/grammatical errors, I didn't do a lot of editing), so I didn't go quite as deep as I have in the past. Any players I looked at but didn't make my tiers (or I didn't have time to take a deeper look at) are noted in an Honorable Mention tier, sorted by an aggregated ranking method I used to find relevant prospects.

Tier 1 (~60+ FV)

  1. Paolo Banchero - PF - Duke
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.6
    • Height: 82 in
    • Weight: 250 lbs
    • Wingspan: 85 in
    • Ape: +3
    • ++: size, offensive creation, rim attacking
    • +: passing
    • -: defensive impact, shooting
    • Additional Notes: upside of a big wing who can be a primary offensive creator (arguably the most valuable archtype in the sport)

  2. Jabari Smith - PF - Auburn
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.1
    • Height: 82 in
    • Weight: 210 lbs
    • ++: shooting
    • +: age, height, perimeter and on-ball defensive given size
    • -: ball handling, passing, offensive creation, interior defense
    • Additional Notes: probably won't be a primary creator, but his size+shooting is a great combination for a secondary threat, with defensive upside to boot

  3. Chet Holmgren - PF - Gonzaga
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 20.1
    • Height: 84 in
    • Weight: 195 lbs
    • Wingspan: 89 in
    • Ape: +5
    • ++: rim protection, fluidity
    • +: shooting, off-ball abilities (both sides)
    • -: on-ball defense
    • --: age, frame
    • Additional Notes: for a player with such obvious strengths and weaknesses, it's difficult to determine what type of impact Holmgren will have given his uniqueness

Tier 2 (~50+ FV, no 55+ or 50 FV players)

  1. Dyson Daniels - SG - G League Ignite
    • Age: 19.3
    • Height: 79.5 in
    • Weight: 195.2 lbs
    • Wingspan: 82.5 in
    • Reach: 105 in
    • Ape: +3
    • ++: basketball IQ, on-ball defense
    • +: ball-handling, passing
    • -: shooting, athleticism
    • Additional Notes: high floor player based on passing, defense, and feel for the game, but still has untapped upside if the shooting improves

  2. Jeremy Sochan - PF - Baylor
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.1
    • Height: 81 in
    • Weight: 230 lbs
    • ++: defensive versatility
    • +: age, size, motor
    • -: playmaking
    • --: shooting
    • Additional Notes: best defensive wing in the draft, but a dicey offensive projection

  3. Bennedict Mathurin - SG - Arizona
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 20
    • Height: 78 in
    • Weight: 204.6 lbs
    • Wingspan: 81 in
    • Reach: 104 in
    • Ape: +3
    • +: age, shooting, size, athleticism
    • -: defensive (not a true negative, but not enough of a positive to be an ideal 3+D guy), offensive creation
    • Additional Notes: safe bet to be an NBA contributor, but may fit better as a secondary wing on both sides of the ball

  4. Jaden Ivey - PG - Purdue
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 20.4
    • Height: 76 in
    • Weight: 195 lbs
    • ++: athleticism, shot creation
    • +: dribble penetration
    • -: decision making, defensive motor, offensive creation
    • Additional Notes: phreak athlete, but best role is likely a volume scoring 6th man, which isn't a great archtype to chase. That said, his 99th percentile upside of a primary offensive engine is one of the highest in the draft

  5. Keegan Murray - PF - Iowa
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 21.8
    • Height: 80 in
    • Weight: 215 lbs
    • Wingspan: 83 in
    • Ape: +3
    • ++: offensive production
    • +: motor, positioning
    • -: athleticism
    • --: age
    • Additional Notes: high level scorer against non-elite competition. High floor as rotational player who should be able to score against second units at the very least. Also he looks a lot like Brandon Clarke, and maybe plays a little like him

  6. Tari Eason - PF - LSU
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 21.1
    • Height: 80 in
    • Weight: 217.4 lbs
    • Wingspan: 86 in
    • Reach: 107.5 in
    • Ape: +6
    • ++: enegy, defense
    • +: rim attacking
    • -: wildness, fouling, shooting, age
    • Additional Notes: high energy wing with a defense first mindset, but plays a little out of control and is older than the other wings in this tier

  7. AJ Griffin - SF - Duke
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 18.8
    • Height: 78 in
    • Weight: 222 lbs
    • Wingspan: 83 in
    • Ape: +5
    • ++: age
    • +: size, shooting
    • -: injury concerns, defense
    • Additional Notes: has the dimensions of a good defender but has yet to play like it; has performed well offensively, but shot doesn't fill the eye test that well

  8. Shaedon Sharpe - SG - Kentucky
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.1
    • Height: 77.25 in
    • Weight: 198 lbs
    • Wingspan: 83.5 in
    • Reach: 103.5 in
    • Ape: +6.25
    • ++: athleticism
    • +: age, frame, shooting, shot creation
    • --: production, unknowns
    • Additional Notes: at his best, he may have the highest offensive upside in the class, but the chances of reaching that upside are low enough and with a myriad of warts that he misses out on the 55 FV tier, while his monster upside keeps him above the 50 FV tier. Easily the most difficult player to rank from the outside.

Tier 3 (~50 FV)

  1. Jalen Duren - C - Memphis
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 18.6
    • Height: 82 in
    • Weight: 230 lbs
    • Wingspan: 89 in
    • Ape: +7
    • ++: age
    • +: interior defense, interior offense, athleticism, length
    • -: rawness, offensive potential, basketball IQ
    • Additional Notes: rim runner/defensive anchor starter kit, but needs development to maximize that role

  2. Dalen Terry - SG - Arizona
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 19.9
    • Height: 79.25 in
    • Weight: 195.2 lbs
    • Wingspan: 84.75 in
    • Reach: 106 in
    • Ape: +5.5
    • +: age, size, secondary ball handling, defensive versatility
    • -: shooting, high level impact
    • Additional Notes: profiles as a versatile wing who can guard multiple positions and act as a secondary ball handler, his upside will ultimately be determined by his shooting

  3. Walker Kessler - C - Auburn
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 20.9
    • Height: 85 in
    • Weight: 256 lbs
    • Wingspan: 88.25 in
    • Reach: 113 in
    • Ape: +3.25
    • ++: rim protection, interior defense
    • +: size, basketball IQ
    • -: athleticism, offensive role
    • Additional Notes: has potential of a true regular season defensive anchor, and his mobility/brain should be enough to at least hold up in playoffs. The lack of an offensive role as he's not a shooting threat, rim runner, or low post threat caps his upside

  4. Mark Williams - C - Duke
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 20.5
    • Height: 86 in
    • Weight: 242.4 lbs
    • Wingspan: 90.5 in
    • Reach: 117 in
    • Ape: +4.5
    • ++: size
    • +: interior finishing, rim protection
    • -: offensive upside
    • Additional Notes: safe bet to be a rotational big for a number of years, but doesn't have true defensive anchor upside, and probably won't be more than a roll man offensively

  5. Jake LaRavia - PF - Wake Forest
    • Grade: Junior
    • Age: 20.6
    • Height: 80 in
    • Weight: 227.2 lbs
    • Wingspan: 81.5 in
    • Reach: 104 in
    • Ape: +1.5
    • +: age, size, perimeter defensive versatility, passing
    • -: wingspan, shot creation, vertical athleticism, 3rd or 4th option offensively
    • Additional Notes: versatile defender who should be able to do enough secondary things offensively to be a high end role player as a big wing

  6. Blake Wesley - SG - Notre Dame
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.3
    • Height: 76.25 in
    • Weight: 187.2 lbs
    • Wingspan: 81.25 in
    • Reach: 103 in
    • Ape: +5
    • ++: athleticism
    • +: perimeter defense, ball handling, scoring
    • -: shooting, playmaking, rim finishing
    • Additional Notes: for a player who plays in a score-first fashion, his best skills seem to be defensively where he can use his length and athleticism to generate turnovers and play in transition

  7. Trevor Keels - SG - Duke
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 18.8
    • Height: 76.75 in
    • Weight: 223.8 lbs
    • Wingspan: 79.25 in
    • Reach: 101 in
    • Ape: +2.5
    • ++: age
    • +: strength, production
    • --: athleticism
    • Additional Notes: producing net positive results as a young freshman against strong major NCAA competition is a great start, but question marks arise when his limited athleticism is put to the test even more by bigger and faster NBA players. A strong strength program could do wonders

  8. TyTy Washington - SG - Kentucky
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 20.6
    • Height: 75.75 in
    • Weight: 196.4 lbs
    • Wingspan: 80 in
    • Reach: 99.5 in
    • Ape: +4.25
    • +: length
    • -: athleticism
    • --: age
    • Additional Notes: currently profiles more as a 3rd guard, but his PG skills keep upside plays in tact given his length and scoring efficiency

Tier 4 (~45+ FV)

  1. Christian Koloko - C - Arizona
    • Grade: Junior
    • Age: 22
    • Height: 84 in
    • Weight: 221 lbs
    • Wingspan: 89.25 in
    • Reach: 113 in
    • Ape: +5.25
    • ++: size
    • +: rim protection, athleticism, shooting/passing potential
    • -: age, strength, rawness

  2. Wendell Moore - SG - Duke
    • Grade: Junior
    • Age: 20.8
    • Height: 77.5 in
    • Weight: 217.2 lbs
    • Wingspan: 84.5 in
    • Reach: 101 in
    • Ape: +7
    • ++: wingspan
    • +: age, passing, defensive versatility
    • -: athleticism, offensive role

  3. Jalen Williams - SG - Santa Clara
    • Grade: Junior
    • Age: 21.2
    • Height: 77.75 in
    • Weight: 209.2 lbs
    • Wingspan: 86.25 in
    • Reach: 105.5 in
    • Ape: +8.5
    • ++: wingspan
    • +: size, secondary ballhandling
    • -: athleticism

  4. E.J. Liddell - PF - Ohio State
    • Grade: Junior
    • Age: 21.5
    • Height: 79 in
    • Weight: 243 lbs
    • Wingspan: 83.75 in
    • Reach: 103.5 in
    • Ape: +4.75
    • +: size, strength, basketball IQ
    • -: ballhandling, lateral athleticism

  5. Josh Minott - PF - Memphis
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.6
    • Height: 80 in
    • Weight: 197 lbs
    • +: vertical athleticism, size, rebounding, on-ball defense
    • -: shooting, strength

  6. David Roddy - PF - Colorado State
    • Grade: Junior
    • Age: 21.2
    • Height: 78 in
    • Weight: 260.8 lbs
    • Wingspan: 83.5 in
    • Reach: 105 in
    • Ape: +5.5
    • +: strength, wingspan, basketball IQ
    • -: height, lateral athleticism

  7. Kendall Brown - SF - Baylor
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.1
    • Height: 79.5 in
    • Weight: 201.2 lbs
    • Wingspan: 83 in
    • Reach: 103 in
    • Ape: +3.5
    • +: age, size, athleticism
    • -: production, shooting

  8. Ryan Rollins - SG - Toledo
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 20
    • Height: 75.25 in
    • Weight: 179.2 lbs
    • Wingspan: 81.75 in
    • Reach: 100.5 in
    • Ape: +6.5
    • ++: production, length
    • +: age
    • -: shooting

  9. Kennedy Chandler - PG - Tennessee
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.8
    • Height: 72.5 in
    • Weight: 172.2 lbs
    • Wingspan: 77.25 in
    • Reach: 97 in
    • Ape: +4.75
    • +: playmaking, dribble penetration, forcing turnovers, vertical athleticism
    • -: age, size, shooting

  10. Malaki Branham - SG - Ohio State
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.1
    • Height: 77.5 in
    • Weight: 194.8 lbs
    • Wingspan: 82 in
    • Reach: 102.5 in
    • Ape: +4.5
    • ++: scoring
    • +: age, size
    • -: defense

  11. Christian Braun - SG - Kansas
    • Grade: Junior
    • Age: 21.2
    • Height: 79 in
    • Weight: 209.2 lbs
    • Wingspan: 78.5 in
    • Reach: 99.5 in
    • Ape: -0.5
    • +: athleticism
    • -: wingspan

Tier 5 (~45 FV)

  1. Nikola Jovic - SF - Mega Mozzart
    • Age: 19
    • Height: 83 in
    • Weight: 222.6 lbs
    • Wingspan: 84.25 in
    • Reach: 108.5 in
    • Ape: +1.25
    • +: age, ball handling, size, shooting/passing potential
    • -: rawness, athleticism

  2. Ousmane Dieng - SF - New Zeland Breakers
    • Age: 19.1
    • Height: 82 in
    • Weight: 200 lbs
    • ++: size
    • +: age, ball handling
    • --: production across the board
    • Additional Notes: lots of question marks, terrible production in NBL, but the youth+ideal wing dimensions+ball handling abilities are a great starting point for a prospect. He will be a big project

  3. Johnny Davis - PG - Wisconsin
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 20.3
    • Height: 77.75 in
    • Weight: 196.4 lbs
    • Wingspan: 80.5 in
    • Reach: 103.5 in
    • Ape: +2.75
    • +: energy, offensive creation
    • -: size, athleticism, shooting

  4. Jaylin Williams - C - Arkansas
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 20
    • Height: 82 in
    • Weight: 236.6 lbs
    • Wingspan: 85 in
    • Reach: 108.5 in
    • Ape: +3
    • +: age, passing, basketball IQ
    • -: size, athleticism

  5. MarJon Beauchamp - SG - G League Ignite
    • Age: 21.7
    • Height: 78.5 in
    • Weight: 196.6 lbs
    • Wingspan: 84.75 in
    • Reach: 106 in
    • Ape: +6.25
    • +: wingspan, defensive versatility
    • -: shooting, strength

  6. Jaden Hardy - SG - G League Ignite
    • Age: 20
    • Height: 76 in
    • Weight: 190 lbs
    • Wingspan: 80 in
    • Ape: +4
    • +: shooting, off-ball abilities (both sides)
    • -: athleticism, shot selection, defense

  7. JD Davison - PG - Alabama
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.7
    • Height: 74.5 in
    • Weight: 191.8 lbs
    • Wingspan: 78.5 in
    • Reach: 99.5 in
    • Ape: +4
    • +: athleticism, playmaking
    • -: shooting, carelessness

  8. Justin Lewis - PF - Marquette
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 20.2
    • Height: 79.5 in
    • Weight: 235.4 lbs
    • Wingspan: 86.5 in
    • Reach: 105.5 in
    • Ape: +7
    • +: age, size, wingspan, athleticism
    • -: offensive passivity, defensive discipline

  9. Ochai Agbaji - SG - Kansas
    • Grade: Senior
    • Age: 22.2
    • Height: 77.75 in
    • Weight: 216.8 lbs
    • Wingspan: 82.25 in
    • Reach: 104 in
    • Ape: +4.5
    • +: on-ball defense
    • -: age, impact

Tier 6 (Honorable Mentions - Unranked due to time)

Extra Honorable Mentions (didn't really make the cut, but names popped up somewhere during the process):