2022 NBA Mock Draft 2.0 Based On Odds (Predicting the Lottery for Every Team)
By Peter Dewey
The 2022 NBA Draft takes place on Thursday, June 23, and there is still a ton of intrigue at the top of the board.
Auburn’s Jabari Smith has spent most of the draft process as the favorite to go No. 1 overall, but Duke forward Paolo Banchero has jumped into the conversation at WynnBET Sportsbook, passing Chet Holmgren in the odds to go No. 1 at +225.
Could we see a shake up between the top three prospects in this year’s class? It’s certainly possible.
There is also a ton of intrigue in the trade market, as the Sacramento Kings (No. 4) and Portland Trail Blazers (No. 7) are both willing to trade their selections, Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons (No. 5) could add another first-round pick by moving forward Jerami Grant.
The lottery is going to be extremely interesting, so why not predict each pick?
Using the odds for the No. 1 selection at WynnBET Sportsbook, here is our latest mock draft of the lottery (first 14 picks) of the 2022 NBA Draft.
1. Orlando Magic: Jabari Smith (-150)
Even with the smoke around Banchero, I think Smith is going to be the No. 1 selection. Orlando is keeping things close to the vest, but it's really hard to pass up Smith's immense offensive talent.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder: Paolo Banchero (+1500)
I had Chet Holmgren here originally, but I think Banchero is the better player, and OKC needs to draft for talent over need in this spot. Banchero could become the focal point of the team's offense, especially if he improves his 3-point shot.
3. Houston Rockets: Chet Holmgren (+300)
Houston is going to end up with one of the top three players, and with Christian Wood now in Dallas, the Rockets have room for Holmgren in the frontcourt.
4. Sacramento Kings: Keegan Murray (+50000)
I don't think the Kings make a pick here, as they'll likely trade, but I can't see them taking a guard after trading away Tyrese Haliburton last season. That would be a massive failure by the organization.
5. Detroit Pistons: Jaden Ivey (+20000)
This is an ideal scenario for Detroit, as it gets the best guard in the class to pair with young star Cade Cunningham. Ivey has only worked out for Orlando and Detroit, so I doubt he gets past this spot.
6. Indiana Pacers: Shaedon Sharpe (+50000)
Sharpe is the wild card in this draft, but I think the Pistons take a swing on him with Ivey and Murray off the board.
7. Portland Trail Blazers: Dyson Daniels (+100000)
Daniels would be a fantastic complementary player to Anfernee Simons and Damian Lillard. He can defend and is a fantastic passer, which should elevate the game of these two scorers.
8. New Orleans Pelicans (via LAL): Benedict Mathurin (+100000)
The Pelicans have been linked to several players, incluing Shaedon Sharpe, but I think Mathurin is the pick here. He's a combo guard that could play alongside C.J. McCollum and give the Pelicans even more athleticism.
9. San Antonio Spurs: Johnny Davis (+100000)
Johnny Davis seems like a prototypical Spurs player, and I wrote about why he'd be a great fit here. He'd replace Derrick White wonderfully with an added scoring punch.
10. Washington Wizards: AJ Griffin (+100000)
A.J. Griffin falling to No. 10 would be a huge win for the Wizards, who need to get immediate help for Bradley Beal, should he decide to stay in Washington.
11. New York Knicks: Jalen Duren (+100000)
The Knicks could end up trading this pick, but the team may need to replace Mitchell Robinson, who is an unrestricted free agent. Duren is a great athlete that could contribute as a rim-runner in 2022.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC): Jeremy Sochan (N/A)
The Thunder taking Sochan and Banchero would be interesting, as they'd have an extremely impressive young frontcourt. Sochan is a plus defender that can move around the rotation for OKC.
13. Charlotte Hornets: Mark Williams (N/A)
The Hornets need rim protection, rebounding and a big body down low. Williams checks all of those boxes.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers: Malaki Branham (N/A)
Cavaliers insider Chris Fedor has the team taking Branham, and the pick makes sense, especially if Cleveland lets Collin Sexton walk this offseason.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record in the NBA this season here.