2022 NBA draft grades and analysis for every first-round pick
The smoke has cleared on the NBA draft as the basketball community has had some time to reflect on the selections, trades and other moves made on Thursday.
Of course, the Orlando Magic made the first splash of the night after taking Duke forward Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 pick. The choice may have been a surprise to those around the sport, but it wasn’t to those in charge of making the selection.
Elsewhere, several teams made trades to help themselves now or in the future. There were some winners and losers, and other teams that genuinely confused everyone with some of their moves. The festivities will certainly give fans plenty to talk about in the coming days.
Now that we’ve had some time to evaluate the picks and trades from Thursday, Rookie Wire went through and graded all 30 picks from the first round.
Orlando Magic: Paolo Banchero, Duke
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: A+
The Magic shocked everyone on Thursday by taking Banchero first, mostly because they were heavily linked to Jabari Smith Jr. However, after listening to president Jeff Weltman and head coach Jamahl Mosley, it is clear the team got its guy in Banchero. He has ideal size at 6-foot-10, 250 pounds, and projects to be able to affect games in a variety of ways for the Magic.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga
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Grade: A+
Even with the Magic going off-script atop the draft, the Thunder still got their guy in Holmgren. They were enamored with him throughout the process and he projects to be a great fit next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey and others. The first of three picks for the Thunder was a knockout.
For more coverage on the Thunder, visit Thunder Wire
Houston Rockets: Jabari Smith Jr., Auburn
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: A+
It should go without saying that any time a team can add a player projected to be the top pick that it is a home run for them, and that is what happened with the Rockets. They were likely preparing to land Banchero, as most thought, but instead, end up with Smith. He didn’t meet with the team at any point during the pre-draft process but looks to be a guy with a chip already on his shoulder after falling to No. 3.
For more coverage on the Rockets, visit Rockets Wire
Sacramento Kings: Keegan Murray, Iowa
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: A
A lot of talk in the immediate hours after the draft was centered on how the Kings passed on Jaden Ivey, who was widely considered to be the fourth pick this year. However, Ivey made it as clear as possible, without actually saying it directly, that he did not want to land in Sacramento so the Kings went with Murray, who may be a better fit with their roster anyway. Murray is viewed as perhaps one of the most complete players in the draft and the Kings should be celebrating their pick.
Detroit Pistons: Jaden Ivey, Purdue
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: A+
Ivey got his wish and landed with a team not located in Sacramento. Ivey fits in well with the Pistons and fans likely are already pondering the possibilities next to Cade Cunningham in the lineup. Ivey can not only help the Pistons next season, but he also has the potential to develop into a star in the NBA. The Pistons have a strong development system and it will be fun to see him grow next season and beyond.
Indiana Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin, Arizona
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: A
We had Mathurin to the Pacers in our latest mock draft and love the fit. Mathurin is viewed as one of the top shooters in the draft, which is certainly a need for the Pacers. He projects to fit into their backcourt with Tyrese Haliburton and others. He has the ideal size and strength to compete in the NBA and should thrive in the Pacers’ system. The rest of their roster is in flux right now, with Myles Turner and Malcolm Brogdon on the trade block, but Mathurin will be a good piece to their core.
Portland Trail Blazers: Shaedon Sharpe, Kentucky
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: C
The Trail Blazers reportedly wanted to add a player that can help them win now to maximize their potential around Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons, and taking a prospect that hasn’t played in a year may not solve that issue. There is much unknown about Sharpe at this point, but the 19-year-old certainly impressed Portland in his workout to warrant this selection. He is viewed as a player with a high ceiling that can potentially develop into a star in the league, and if he does that, the Trail Blazers will be the last ones laughing. Of course, this low draft grade may very well be brought back up in three years when Sharpe is wrecking the league, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.
New Orleans Pelicans: Dyson Daniels, NBA G League Ignite
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: A
Daniels is bringing an extraordinary work ethic with him to the next level and is a strong addition to the culture being built in New Orleans. He is highly touted as a guard and is perhaps the best defender in the class. The Pelicans absolutely hit a home run on Thursday as Daniels should become a fan favorite in no time.
San Antonio Spurs: Jeremy Sochan, Baylor
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Grade: A+
The Spurs had a very good draft night and got it started with Sochan with the ninth pick. He is viewed as a strong defender, one that can guard nearly every position on the floor. With an improving offensive game, Sochan will be able to contribute a lot next season and his skill set should fit right in with what the Spurs are doing.
Washington Wizards: Johnny Davis, Wisconsin
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: A-
Davis was most commonly projected to land with the Wizards, and that pact became official on Thursday. He is viewed as a strong three-level scorer and should be able to give the team a strong boost on offense. He will help them win games next season, and for a team that had a catastrophic finish to the year, that will be a needed addition.
Oklahoma City Thunder (from New York): Ousmane Dieng, NZ Breakers (NBL)
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Grade: A-
The Thunder gave up three future first-round picks to take Dieng, a price many consider may be steep. However, when you’re a team with approximately 1,000 future picks (OK, maybe not that many), the price may not be that steep after all. It is clear Dieng was high on the Thunder’s radar and Sam Presti & Co. went and got their guy. It is a nice change of pace when a team does what it can do to draft a player it highly values.
For more coverage on the Thunder, visit Thunder Wire
Oklahoma City Thunder: Jalen Williams, Santa Clara
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: B-
Williams was a player that had an incredible showing in the combine and private workouts and quickly climbed draft boards, as a result. Even considering his strong showing, many thought Williams’ range would be 16-22 so only time will tell if the Thunder reached a bit too high here. However, Williams boasts a 7-foot-2 wingspan and showed he can do a little bit of everything on the court. He will have plenty of time to develop so the Thunder may have gotten a good one here.
For more coverage on the Thunder, visit Thunder Wire
Detroit Pistons (from Charlotte): Jalen Duren, Memphis
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Grade: B+
The Pistons were viewed as one of the draft winners on Thursday after selecting Ivey and Duren at 13. We’ll ignore what the Knicks did to move him here, and their overall philosophy in the draft, but the Pistons pick up a defensive-minded center in Duren. He boasts a 7-foot-5 wingspan and should immediately be able to impact games next season.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Ochai Agbaji, Kansas
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Grade: A+
As a four-year player, Agbaji can step in and help the Cavaliers now by providing another scoring punch. His potential as a 3-and-D prospect will certainly be enticing as the Cavaliers emerged as an outstanding defensive team last season. We love this pick for Cleveland.
Charlotte Hornets: Mark Williams, Duke
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Grade: A
Williams was heavily linked to the Hornets during the pre-draft process. The Hornets need size and defense in the frontcourt and Williams checks both boxes. He measured in at 7 feet, 2 inches at the combine with a 7-foot-6 wingspan, an astronomical number. We are eager to see how he fits into the system in Charlotte.
For more coverage on the Hornets, visit Lonzo Wire
Atlanta Hawks: AJ Griffin, Duke
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Grade: A
Griffin entered the draft process widely considered to be a lottery pick so to fall to the Hawks at 16 was likely an easy decision for the front office. He is one of the best shooters in the draft and won’t turn 19 until August. Griffin has some work to do defensively but his best skill is shooting and scoring, two areas of need for Atlanta.
Houston Rockets: Tari Eason, LSU
Grade: A-
Eason was one of 10 players named as a semifinalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award after a tremendous season and should continue that ability at the next level. The Rockets could use a versatile defender such as Eason on the roster and went and got their guy.
For more coverage on the Rockets, visit Rockets Wire
Chicago Bulls: Dalen Terry, Arizona
Grade: B
Terry rose up on draft boards rather late in the process and was thought to go late in the first round. However, the Bulls certainly liked his defensive ability and that trait should fit in well in the backcourt. Terry also took care of the ball and managed to affect games as a low-usage player. He projects to fill a lot of needs for Chicago.
Memphis Grizzlies (from Minnesota): Jake LaRavia, Wake Forest
Grade: A-
LaRavia is another prospect that had a tremendous pre-draft process and climbed up boards. He is highly touted given his ability to do a little bit of everything with offense an area in which he excels. Memphis needed to make a trade to get him, but the move to do so should be worth it in the end.
San Antonio Spurs: Malaki Branham, Ohio State
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Grade: A
Branham falling to the Spurs was a bit surprising. Many thought he could go in the lottery given his ability as a three-level scorer. To get him here certainly must have been a good feeling for the Spurs, who nailed their second pick of the night.
Denver Nuggets: Christian Braun, Kansas
Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: A-
Braun is one of the most athletic players in the draft and projects to be able to step in immediately and contribute. He will give the Nuggets a strong defensive option as he could develop into a sound 3-and-D player. He was said to have blown them away in his workout in Denver, and he’ll now get to work in the Mile High City.
Minnesota Timberwolves (from the Memphis): Walker Kessler, Auburn
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Grade: B+
The Timberwolves need a rim-protecting big man, and get their guy in Kessler. He was named the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and figures to help control the paint with this 7-foot-4 wingspan. They made several trades on the night and appear to have improved in the process.
Memphis Grizzlies (from Philadelphia): David Roddy, Colorado State
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Grade: B+
Roddy figures to give the Grizzlies a floor-spacer given his ability to knock down shots from deep. He was viewed largely as a possible late first-rounder and many believe Memphis may have reached here, but given his fit with the team, it should be viewed as a good pick.
Milwaukee Bucks: MarJon Beauchamp, NBA G League Ignite
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: B+
Beauchamp had the best reaction on draft night to hearing Adam Silver call his name. His story is truly remarkable and it is clear that he will be one of the hardest workers next season. On the court, Beauchamp will give the Bucks a strong defender with his 7-foot wingspan and elite athleticism. He likely won’t need to immediately step in and contribute, clearing the way for him to develop at a reasonable pace. We believe he will do well in Milwaukee.
San Antonio Spurs: Blake Wesley, Notre Dame
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: B+
San Antonio capped off its first round by taking Wesley from Notre Dame. The team will get a player capable of beating defenders off the dribble, which figures to be needed in the second unit. The Spurs have instituted a great development system so we expect Wesley, and the rest of their picks, to flourish.
Minnesota Timberwolves (from Houston): Wendell Moore Jr., Duke
Grade: B
Minnesota added another prospect that projects to fill some needs as a 3-and-D option. The Timberwolves were very active in general manager Tim Connelly’s first draft, and they walked away with several players that figure to help them move forward.
Miami Heat: Nikola Jovic, KK Mega Basket
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: A-
Jovic can space the floor and has also shown promise as a ballhandler and rebounder, which are areas of need for Miami. He boasts prior professional experience now, which fits more on their timeline to win now, and should be able to step in immediately and play. Some believed Jovic could go in the teens so grabbing him here could be the potential steal of the draft.
Golden State Warriors: Patrick Baldwin Jr., Milwaukee
Grade: C
Taking Baldwin here was betting on his potential. It wasn’t that long ago that he was viewed as perhaps the top prospect in the draft but an underwhelming showing at Milwaukee caused him to drop down boards. He may not help them win now, but that likely won’t be an issue because there may not be a ton of minutes for him anyway. With some development, Baldwin could eventually emerge as that player many thought he could be last year.
For more coverage on the Warriors, visit Warriors Wire
Houston Rockets (from Memphis): TyTy Washington, Kentucky
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: B+
The Rockets have a ton of guards but Washington figures to be a good game manager for them. He is a good scorer and has great court vision while also taking care of the ball. He checks a lot of boxes on the court and it will be interesting to see how their rotation shakes out next season in the backcourt.
For more coverage on the Rockets, visit Rockets Wire
Denver Nuggets (from Oklahoma City): Peyton Watson, UCLA
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Grade: B+
The Nuggets were said to be targeting a point guard with this pick but went with Watson. He had a tremendous pre-draft process to just sneak into the first round and will now join the Nuggets. He will have his work cut out for him to see the floor but he has tremendous upside for Denver.
