NBA mock draft: Smith, Holmgren or Banchero at No. 1? Who will Kings take with No. 4 pick?
The NBA draft is two weeks away and teams across the league are putting the finishing touches on their pre-draft preparation.
Auburn power forward Jabari Smith Jr., Gonzaga center Chet Holmgren and Duke power forward Paolo Banchero are projected as the top three picks in most mock drafts, but the order is uncertain and some speculate Purdue shooting guard Jaden Ivey could crash the party.
The Kings will likely seize the opportunity to add another potential All-Star to their frontcourt if one of the big three falls to them at No. 4. If not, they will have an opportunity to choose from a second tier of potential stars, a group that includes Ivey, Kentucky shooting guard Shaedon Sharpe and Iowa power forward Keegan Murray.
The draft will be held June 23 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Here’s how the first round could unfold.
1. Orlando Magic
Jabari Smith Jr., PF, Auburn
Height: 6-10 | Weight: 210 | Age: 19 | Freshman
Smith looks like a star in the making with tremendous size, shooting ability and defensive versatility, making him an ideal big man in the modern NBA. He has emerged as the consensus pick at No. 1 after averaging 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks in 28.8 minutes per game as an 18-year-old freshman at Auburn, where he shot 79.9% at the free-throw line and 42% from 3-point range on 5.5 attempts per game.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
Chet Holmgren, C, Gonzaga
Height: 7-0 | Weight: 195 | Age: 20 | Freshman
Oklahoma City will likely have its choice of Holmgren and Banchero. There has also been some speculation the Thunder could consider taking Ivey instead. Ultimately, it will be difficult to pass on Holmgren, who needs to add weight but figures to be a force at both ends of the floor after posting per-36 averages of 18.9 points, 13.3 rebounds, 4.9 blocks, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals with 61/39/72 shooting splits as a freshman at Gonzaga.
3. Houston Rockets
Paolo Banchero, PF, Duke
Height: 6-10 | Weight: 250 | Age: 19 | Freshman
Houston will have no problem taking whichever young big man falls to No. 3. Banchero could be as good as any of them after averaging 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.1 steals for the Blue Devils. He dominated foes around the basket with power, skill, footwork and touch while showing he is also capable of knocking down shots from 3-point range.
4. Sacramento Kings
Jaden Ivey, SG, Purdue
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 200 | Age: 20 | Sophomore
Ivey might be the most electrifying player in the draft after demonstrating elite athleticism and explosive leaping ability at Purdue. He averaged 17.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists with 46/36/74 shooting splits. His fit in Sacramento is somewhat questionable, but he will be considered the best player available unless one of the big three slides to No. 4.
5. Detroit Pistons
Shaedon Sharpe, SG, Kentucky
Height: 6-5 ¼ | Weight: 198 | Age: 19 | Freshman
Sharpe drew attention early in the pre-draft process when he showed impressive shooting and leaping ability during a pro-day workout at the combine, but scouts still have questions about a player who never suited up for Kentucky. Sharpe still has star potential, but he no longer feels like a lock as a top-five pick.
6. Indiana Pacers
Keegan Murray, PF, Iowa
Height: 6-8 | Weight: 225 | Age: 21 | Sophomore
Murray had a stellar sophomore season at Iowa, averaging 23.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 1.5 assists and 1.3 steals with 55/40/75 shooting splits. He will be ready to contribute from Day 1 and could go as high as No. 4 if the Kings decide to seek immediate help over the long-term upside of Ivey or Sharpe.
7. Portland Trail Blazers
Dyson Daniels, SG, G League Ignite
Height: 6-7 ½ | Weight: 195 | Age: 19
Daniels, a native of Australia who just turned 19 in March, averaged 11.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.9 steals with G League Ignite last season. He shot just 25.5% from 3-point range, but he has good size, length and ability as a defender, rebounder and secondary playmaker.
8. New Orleans Pelicans (via Lakers)
Bennedict Mathurin, SG, Arizona
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 205 | Age: 19 | Sophomore
Mathurin is one of the top rated and most NBA-ready guards in the draft after averaging 17.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists as a sophomore with the Wildcats. He shot 45% from the field, 36.9% from 3-point range and 76.4% at the free-throw line. He’s a good shooter with tremendous size, athleticism and defensive ability.
9. San Antonio Spurs
Jeremy Sochan, SF/PF, Baylor
Height: 6-9 | Weight: 230 | Age: 19 | Freshman
Sochan will need time to become a better shooter after averaging 9.2 points on 47/30/59 shooting splits at Baylor, but he could be a top-10 pick due to his size, strength and tenacity as a switchable multi-positional defender with a strong motor.
10. Washington Wizards
Johnny Davis, SG, Wisconsin
Height: 6-5 ¾ | Weight: 196 | Age: 20 | Sophomore
Davis is a fiery competitor, a proven scorer and a solid defender who could vault into the top 10 after averaging 19.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals as a sophomore with the Badgers. His 3-point shooting needs to improve, but he is one of the most NBA-ready guards in the draft.
11. New York Knicks
Jalen Duren, C, Memphis
Height: 6-11 | Weight: 250 | Age: 18 | Freshman
The Knicks could have their choice between Duren and Mark Williams, the two best centers in the draft after Holmgren. Duren posted averages of 12.0 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 25.3 minutes per game as an 18-year-old freshman. He will need development like most young bigs, but the size, athleticism, shot-blocking ability and 7-5 ¼ wingspan make him a tantalizing prospect.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers)
AJ Griffin, SF, Duke
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 222 | Age: 18 | Freshman
Griffin shot 49.3% from the field and 44.7% from 3-point range as a freshman at Duke, but he averaged just 10.4 points and 3.9 rebounds after missing two years due to knee and ankle injuries in high school. If he can stay healthy, Griffin could have enormous upside given his age, skill and shooting ability.
13. Charlotte Hornets
Mark Williams, C, Duke
Height: 7-2| Weight: 242 | Age: 20 | Sophomore
Williams is considered one of the two best true centers in this year’s draft after averaging 11.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.8 blocks in just 23.6 minutes per game as a sophomore at Duke. He converted an impressive 72.1% of his field-goal attempts and demonstrated outstanding shot-blocking ability with a 7-6 ½ wingspan and a 9-9 standing reach.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers
Malaki Branham, SG, Ohio State
Height: 6-5 ½ | Weight: 195 | Age: 19 | Freshman
Branham wasn’t always projected as a one-and-done draft prospect, but scouts love his shot-making ability and feel for the game. He averaged 13.7 points with 50/42/83 shooting splits as a freshman at Ohio State.
15. Charlotte Hornets (via Pelicans)
Tari Eason, PF, LSU
Height: 6-8 | Weight: 217 | Age: 21 | Sophomore
Eason is a strong, versatile defender with tremendous size and a 7-2 wingspan. As a sophomore at LSU, he averaged 16.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.1 blocks while posting 52/36/80 shooting splits.
16. Atlanta Hawks
Ousmane Dieng, SF, New Zealand
Height: 6-9 | Weight: 185 | Age: 19
Dieng is an international prospect who has a chance to be a lottery pick. He posted modest numbers in New Zealand’s National Basketball League, averaging 8.9 points and 3.1 rebounds in 20.8 minutes per game, but he’s a skilled player with good size and upside.
17. Houston Rockets (via Nets)
Ochai Agbaji, SF, Kansas
Height: 6-5 ¾ | Weight: 217 | Age: 22 | Senior
Agbaji enters the league as one of the older players in the draft after averaging 18.8 points and 5.1 rebounds as a senior at Kansas, where he shot 47.5% from the field and 40.7% from beyond the arc on 6.5 3-point attempts per game.
18. Chicago Bulls
Kendall Brown, SF, Baylor
Height: 6-7 ½ | Weight: 201 | Age: 19 | Freshman
Brown isn’t the most prolific scorer after averaging 9.7 points on 6.6 field-goal attempts per game as a freshman at Baylor, but he was remarkably efficient, shooting 58.4% from the field. With good size and length, he could be an effective 3-and-D wing if he improves on his 34.1% 3-point shooting.
19. Minnesota Timberwolves
E.J. Liddell, PF, Ohio State
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 243 | Age: 21 | Junior
Liddell averaged 19.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.6 blocks in his final season with the Buckeyes. He is strong enough to do the dirty work around the rim but can also hit from outside after shooting a career-best 37.4% from 3-point range on 3.8 attempts per game.
20. San Antonio Spurs (via Raptors)
Nikola Jovic, SF, Mega Bemax
Height: 6-11 | Weight: 223 | Age: 19
Jovic averaged 12.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 28.4 minutes per game as an 18-year-old in the Adriatic Basketball Association last season. He isn’t the most electrifying athlete in the draft, but he possesses outstanding size, vision and feel for the game.
21. Denver Nuggets
TyTy Washington, PG, Kentucky
Height: 6-3 ¾ | Weight: 196 | Age: 20 | Freshman
Scouts have offered mixed reviews on Washington, who was up and down in his only season with the Wildcats. He averaged 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 45.1% from the field and 35% from beyond the arc.
22. Memphis Grizzlies (via Jazz)
Walker Kessler, C, Auburn
Height: 7-1 | Weight: 256 | Age: 20 | Sophomore
Kessler posted averages of 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.6 blocks and 1.1 steals in 25.6 minutes per game as a sophomore at Auburn. With tremendous size and good athleticism, he could be a nice find if he improves his shooting.
23. Brooklyn Nets (via 76ers)
Patrick Baldwin Jr., SF/PF, Milwaukee
Height: 6-10 ¼ | Weight: 231 | Age: 19 | Freshman
Baldwin had a tough year at Milwaukee, averaging 12.1 points and 5.8 rebounds while appearing in only 11 games due to an ankle injury, but when healthy he is a knockdown shooter with outstanding size for his position.
24. Milwaukee Bucks
Jaden Hardy, SG, G League Ignite
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 190 | Age: 19
Hardy, once projected as a lottery pick, averaged 17.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.3 steals for G League Ignite despite shooting just 35.1% from the field and 26.9% from 3-point range.
25. San Antonio Spurs (via Celtics)
Wendell Moore, SF, Duke
Height: 6-5 ½ | Weight: 217 | Age: 20 | Junior
Moore is a long and versatile defender with a 7-foot wingspan and a lot to offer as a 3-and-D wing with playmaking skills. He averaged 13.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.4 steals as a junior at Duke.
26. Dallas Mavericks
Blake Wesley, SG, Notre Dame
Height: 6-4 ¼ | Weight: 187 | Age: 19 | Freshman
Wesley put up 14.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game with the Fighting Irish. The athleticism and upside are intriguing, but he will need to refine his game after shooting just 40.4% from the field and 30.3% from long distance.
27. Miami Heat
Kennedy Chandler, PG, Tennessee
Height: 6-0 ½ | Weight: 172 | Age: 19 | Freshman
Chandler posted averages of 13.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.2 steals while hitting 38.3% from 3-point range in his lone season with the Volunteers. He’s also an outstanding defender with a 6-5 ¼ wingspan.
28. Golden State Warriors
Bryce McGowens, SG, Nebraska
Height: 6-6 ½ | Weight: 181 | Age: 19 | Freshman
McGowens averaged 16.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in his first year with the Cornhuskers. He shot just 40.3% from the field and 27.4% from beyond the arc, but he converted 83.1% at the free-throw line on 6.3 attempts per game.
29. Memphis Grizzlies
Jalen Williams, SF, Santa Clara
Height: 6-5 ¾ | Weight: 209 | Age: 21 | Junior
With excellent size for his position and an array of skills, LaRavia averaged 14.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks while shooting 55.9% from the field and 38.4% from 3-point range as a junior at Wake Forest.
30. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Suns)
Jake LaRavia, SF, Wake Forest
Height: 6-8 | Weight: 227 | Age: 20 | Junior
Williams had a tremendous season at Santa Clara, where he averaged 18.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals while shooting 51.3% from the field, 39.6% from beyond the arc and 80.9% at the free-throw line.
This story was originally published June 9, 2022 at 4:00 AM.
