2022 NBA Mock Draft: Consensus 1st-Round Selections for All 30 Picks

Who will your favorite team take in the 2022 NBA Draft? 

There’s only one way to find out: Actually watching the event unfold for yourself Thursday night or checking out a recap once NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum has read the final second-round selection. But we want you to have a sense of the expected answer even sooner than that. 

No one mock draft is ever perfect, even when it focuses solely on the needs of a team, so we’ve compiled six of the leading options for your viewing pleasure. That way, you can see who’s coming off the board and whether any trends emerge for each and every one of the 30 first-round choices. 

1. Orlando Magic

ESPN’s Jonathan Givony: Jabari Smith Jr., SF/PF, Auburn

The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie: Jabari Smith Jr., SF/PF, Auburn

Yahoo Sports’ Krysten Peek: Jabari Smith Jr., SF/PF, Auburn

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor: Jabari Smith Jr., SF/PF, Auburn

Tankathon.com: Jabari Smith Jr., SF/PF, Auburn

NBADraft.net: Jabari Smith Jr., SF/PF, Auburn 

Even though Paolo Banchero seems to be gaining some momentum, the selected experts universally expect Jabari Smith Jr. to become the latest No. 1 overall pick in Orlando Magic history, two-point woes and all. 

Consensus: Jabari Smith Jr., SF/PF, Auburn 

2. Oklahoma City Thunder

Givony: Chet Holmgren, PF, Gonzaga

Vecenie: Chet Holmgren, PF, Gonzaga

Peek: Chet Holmgren, PF, Gonzaga

O’Connor: Chet Holmgren, PF, Gonzaga

Tankathon: Chet Holmgren, PF, Gonzaga

NBADraft.net: Paolo Banchero, PF/C, Duke

With one dissenter, the group is pegging Chet Holmgren as the latest high-upside prospect to join the Oklahoma City Thunder’s neverending rebuild. 

Consensus: Chet Holmgren, PF, Gonzaga

3. Houston Rockets

Givony: Paolo Banchero, PF/C, Duke

Vecenie: Paolo Banchero, PF/C, Duke

Peek: Paolo Banchero, PF/C, Duke

O’Connor: Paolo Banchero, PF/C, Duke

Tankathon: Paolo Banchero, PF/C, Duke

NBADraft.net: Chet Holmgren, PF, Gonzaga

NBADraft.net remains the lone dissenting voice as the first of five likely Duke selections comes off the board for Mike Krzyzewski’s final crop of prospects. 

Consensus: Paolo Banchero, PF/C, Duke

4. Sacramento Kings

Givony: Jaden Ivey, PG/SG, Purdue

Vecenie: Jaden Ivey, PG/SG, Purdue

Peek: Jaden Ivey, PG/SG, Purdue

O’Connor: Jaden Ivey, PG/SG, Purdue

Tankathon: Jaden Ivey, PG/SG, Purdue

NBADraft.net: Keegan Murray, PF/C, Iowa

Apparently, it doesn’t matter that Jaden Ivey hasn’t seemed particularly excited about the Sacramento Kings during the predraft process. 

Consensus: Jaden Ivey, PG/SG, Purdue

5. Detroit Pistons

Givony: Bennedict Mathurin, SG/SF, Arizona

Vecenie: Keegan Murray, PF/C, Iowa

Peek: Keegan Murray, PF/C, Iowa

O’Connor: Bennedict Mathurin, SG/SF, Arizona

Tankathon: Shaedon Sharpe, SG, Kentucky

NBADraft.net: Jaden Ivey, PG/SG, Purdue

Now things get funky. With four different players represented in our sample, the No. 5 pick could be the one that dictates so many of the other lottery selections. Our take? Bennedict Mathurin is the best player available, assuming the other choices play out as the consensus has indicated. 

Consensus: None

6. Indiana Pacers

Givony: Keegan Murray, PF/C, Iowa

Vecenie: Bennedict Mathurin, SG/SF, Arizona

Peek: Shaedon Sharpe, SG, Kentucky

O’Connor: Keegan Murray, PF/C, Iowa

Tankathon: Keegan Murray, PF/C, Iowa

NBADraft.net: Bennedict Mathurin, SG/SF, Arizona

At this point, it might be safe to assume the Indiana Pacers will take whichever of Keegan Murray and Bennedith Mathurin doesn’t come off the board for the Detroit Pistons. 

Consensus: Keegan Murray, PF/C, Iowa

7. Portland Trail Blazers

Givony: Shaedon Sharpe, SG, Kentucky

Vecenie: Dyson Daniels, PG/SG, G League Ignite

Peek: Bennedict Mathurin, SG/SF, Arizona

O’Connor: Shaedon Sharpe, SG, Kentucky

Tankathon: Dyson Daniels, PG/SG, G League Ignite

NBADraft.net: Dyson Daniels, PG/SG, G League Ignite

Even with three players represented, one thing seems certain: The Portland Trail Blazers will be looking to give Damian Lillard some more backcourt help (unless, of course, he’s dealt in a blockbuster deal). 

Consensus: Dyson Daniels, PG/SG, G League Ignite

8. New Orleans Pelicans (via Los Angeles Lakers)

Givony: Dyson Daniels, PG/SG, G League Ignite

Vecenie: Ousmane Dieng, SF/PF, NZ Breakers

Peek: Dyson Daniels, PG/SG, G League Ignite

O’Connor: Dyson Daniels, PG/SG, G League Ignite

Tankathon: Bennedict Mathurin, SG/SF, Arizona

NBADraft.net: Shaedon Sharpe, SG, Kentucky

Somehow, someway, we have the same consensus player for back-to-back picks. The New Orleans Pelicans might need to be crossing their fingers that the Portland Trail Blazers don’t make a certain selection before they’re on the board courtesy of the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Consensus: Dyson Daniels, PG/SG, G League Ignite

9. San Antonio Spurs

Givony: Jalen Duren, C, Memphis

Vecenie: Johnny Davis, PG/SG, Wisconsin

Peek: Jalen Duren, C, Memphis

O’Connor: Ousmane Dieng, SF/PF, NZ Breakers

Tankathon: AJ Griffin, SF/PF, Duke

NBADraft.net: Jeremy Sochan, PF, Baylor

The San Antonio Spurs haven’t had one of their own selections fall in the top 10 since they took some guy named Tim Duncan out of Wake Forest at No. 1 overall in 1997. Most agree they’ll go big again here, but it’s tough to see them landing another Big Fundamental. 

Consensus: Jalen Duren, C, Memphis

10. Washington Wizards

Givony: Johnny Davis, PG/SG, Wisconsin

Vecenie: Shaedon Sharpe, SG, Kentucky

Peek: Johnny Davis, PG/SG, Wisconsin

O’Connor: Johnny Davis, PG/SG, Wisconsin

Tankathon: Jeremy Sochan, PF, Baylor

NBADraft.net: AJ Griffin, SF/PF, Duke

Is it guard time for the Washington Wizards? It’s probably guard time for the Washington Wizards even though they have more needs than just a backcourt partner for Bradley Beal. 

Consensus: Johnny Davis, PG/SG, Wisconsin

11. New York Knicks

Givony: AJ Griffin, SF/PF, Duke

Vecenie: AJ Griffin, SF/PF, Duke

Peek: AJ Griffin, SF/PF, Duke

O’Connor: Jalen Duren, C, Memphis

Tankathon: Jalen Duren, C, Memphis

NBADraft.net: Johnny Davis, PG/SG, Wisconsin

Is this just a ploy by the New York Knicks to put another Duke product alongside RJ Barrett and try to lure Zion Williamson to the Big Apple? 

Consensus: AJ Griffin, SF/PF, Duke

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Los Angeles Clippers)

Givony: Ousmane Dieng, SF/PF, NZ Breakers

Vecenie: Jeremy Sochan, PF, Baylor

Peek: Malaki Branham, SG, Ohio State

O’Connor: Jeremy Sochan, PF, Baylor

Tankathon: Johnny Davis, PG/SG, Wisconsin

NBADraft.net: Jalen Williams, SF, Santa Clara

We’re all over the place here for a team that is, well, all over the place. Without any sure-thing building blocks in place aside from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Oklahoma City Thunder can go in virtually any direction. 

Consensus: Jeremy Sochan, PF, Baylor

13. Charlotte Hornets

Givony: Jeremy Sochan, PF, Baylor

Vecenie: Jalen Duren, C, Memphis

Peek: Jeremy Sochan, PF, Baylor

O’Connor: AJ Griffin, SF/PF, Duke

Tankathon: Mark Williams, C, Duke

NBADraft.net: Ochai Agbaji, SF, Kansas

Will the Charlotte Hornets try to find an offensive running mate for LaMelo Ball or a defensive centerpiece who can make life easier on the other end? The panel is split, which yields another player popping up in back-to-back consensuses. 

Consensus: Jeremy Sochan, PF, Baylor

14. Cleveland Cavaliers

Givony: Ochai Agbaji, SF, Kansas

Vecenie: Jalen Williams, SF, Santa Clara

Peek: Ochai Agbaji, SF, Kansas

O’Connor: Ochai Agbaji, SF, Kansas

Tankathon: Ousmane Dieng, SF/PF, NZ Breakers

NBADraft.net: Blake Wesley, SG, Notre Dame

Is the best way to capitalize on the Darius Garland-and-Jarrett Allen-led semi-breakout adding more high-ceiling talent or the most experience you can feasibly land with a lottery pick? 

Consensus: Ochai Agbaji, SF, Kansas

15. Charlotte Hornets (via New Orleans Pelicans)

Givony: Mark Williams, C, Duke

Vecenie: Ochai Agbaji, SF, Kansas

Peek: Mark Williams, C, Duke

O’Connor: Mark Williams, C, Duke

Tankathon: Malaki Branham, SG, Ohio State

NBADraft.net: Mark Williams, C, Duke

Apparently, the answer is easier for the Charlotte Hornets as they make their second pick within the top 15: defense, defense, and more defense. 

Consensus: Mark Williams, C, Duke

16. Atlanta Hawks

Givony: Jalen Williams, SF, Santa Clara

Vecenie: Malaki Branham, SG, Ohio State

Peek: Ousmane Dieng, SF/PF, NZ Breakers

O’Connor: Tari Eason, PF, LSU

Tankathon: Jalen Williams, SF, Santa Clara

NBADraft.net: Jalen Duren, C, Memphis

The Atlanta Hawks are the rare team with legitimate playoff aspirations that could feasibly go in any number of directions. Why? Well, you need look no further than the uncertain status of John Collins, who seems to have made the trade block his permanent place of residence. 

Consensus: Jalen Williams, SF, Santa Clara

17. Houston Rockets (via Brooklyn Nets)

Givony: Tari Eason, PF, LSU

Vecenie: Tari Eason, PF, LSU

Peek: Jalen Williams, SF, Santa Clara

O’Connor: Jalen Williams, SF, Santa Clara

Tankathon: Ochai Agbaji, SF, Kansas

NBADraft.net: TyTy Washington Jr., PG/SG, Kentucky

With Paolo Banchero (or, in one case, Chet Holmgren) already joining the organization at No. 3 in our mock draft compilation, the Houston Rockets are still likely looking for more help at forward. 

Consensus: None

18. Chicago Bulls

Givony: Malaki Branham, SG, Ohio State

Vecenie: Mark Williams, C, Duke

Peek: Tari Eason, PF, LSU

O’Connor: E.J. Liddell, PF, Ohio State

Tankathon: Tari Eason, PF, LSU

NBADraft.net: Tari Eason, PF, LSU

The Chicago Bulls quite clearly need help in the frontcourt more than they do backcourt aid, and the selections (almost) universally reflect that. 

Consensus: Tari Eason, PF, LSU

19. Minnesota Timberwolves

Givony: Walker Kessler, C, Auburn

Vecenie: TyTy Washington Jr., PG/SG, Kentucky

Peek: Blake Wesley, SG, Notre Dame

O’Connor: TyTy Washington Jr., PG/SG, Kentucky

Tankathon: E.J. Liddell, PF, Ohio State

NBADraft.net: Ousmane Dieng, SF/PF, NZ Breakers

The Minnesota Timberwolves are another could-go-any-way organization since they could conceivably target defensive-minded wings, backcourt playmakers, or point-preventing bigs. The choices here are, accordingly, all over the place. 

Consensus: TyTy Washington Jr., PG/SG, Kentucky

20. San Antonio Spurs (via Toronto Raptors)

Givony: Blake Wesley, SG, Notre Dame

Vecenie: E.J. Liddell, PF, Ohio State

Peek: Dalen Terry, PG/SG, Arizona

O’Connor: Nikola Jovic, SF, Mega Mozzart

Tankathon: TyTy Washington Jr., PG/SG, Kentucky

NBADraft.net: Malaki Branham, SG, Ohio State

For the first time, not a single player gets repeat votes. We suppose that makes sense for an organization that has only used two first-round picks in the same draft twice in franchise history: David Robinson (No. 1) and Greg Anderson (No. 23) in 1987 and Luka Samanic (No. 19) and Keldon Johnson (No. 29) in 2019.

Consensus: None

21. Denver Nuggets

Givony: Dalen Terry, PG/SG, Arizona

Vecenie: Blake Wesley, SG, Notre Dame

Peek: TyTy Washington Jr., PG/SG, Kentucky

O’Connor: Malaki Branham, SG, Ohio State

Tankathon: MarJon Beauchamp, SG/SF, G League Ignite

NBADraft.net: Jaden Hardy, SG, G League Ignite

Clearly, the draft goes a bit off the rails in the 20s. For the second time in as many picks, no single player showed up in the same spot within any of our six sampled mocks. 

Consensus: None

22. Memphis Grizzlies (via Utah Jazz)

Givony: TyTy Washington Jr., PG/SG, Kentucky

Vecenie: Dalen Terry, PG/SG, Arizona

Peek: Nikola Jovic, SF, Mega Mozzart

O’Connor: Bryce McGowens, SF, Nebraska

Tankathon: Blake Wesley, SG, Notre Dame

NBADraft.net: Kennedy Chandler, PG, Tennessee

And the lack of consensus here makes it 3-of-3 in the 20s. 

Consensus: None

23. Philadelphia 76ers

Givony: Wendell Moore Jr., SF, Duke

Vecenie: Jaden Hardy, SG, G League Ignite

Peek: Walker Kessler, C, Auburn

O’Connor: Blake Wesley, SG, Notre Dame

Tankathon: Nikola Jovic, SF, Mega Mozzart

NBADraft.net: Nikola Jovic, SF, Mega Mozzart

Order is restored as NBADraft.net and Tankathon both have the Philadelphia 76ers going international and selecting Serbian small forward Nikola Jovic to shore up the lack of wing depth. It remains to be seen whether the fanbase will accept such a pick given how similar his name is to a certain Denver Nuggets center who beat out Joel Embiid for MVP. 

24. Milwaukee Bucks

Givony: E.J. Liddell, PF, Ohio State

Vecenie: Jake LaRavia, PF, Wake Forest

Peek: Kennedy Chandler, PG, Tennessee

O’Connor: Dalen Terry, PG/SG, Arizona

Tankathon: Jaden Hardy, SG, G League Ignite

NBADraft.net: E.J. Liddell, PF, Ohio State

The Milwaukee Bucks have to be thinking about adding younger pieces to support Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and Khris Middleton, but the lineup flexibility offered by the Greek Freak allows them to target virtually any kind of prospect. 

Consensus: E.J. Liddell, PF, Ohio State

25. San Antonio Spurs (via Boston Celtics)

Givony: Kennedy Chandler, PG, Tennessee

Vecenie: Walker Kessler, C, Auburn

Peek: E.J. Liddell, PF, Ohio State

O’Connor: Walker Kessler, C, Auburn

Tankathon: Walker Kessler, C, Auburn

NBADraft.net: Caleb Houstan, SG/SF, Michigan

Walker Kessler keeps showing up for the San Antonio Spurs’ unprecedented third pick in the first round. He might be joining a crowded big-man rotation, but his shot-blocking wizardry could allow him to eat up some minutes all the same. 

Consensus: Walker Kessler, C, Auburn

26. Houston Rockets (via Dallas Mavericks)

Givony: MarJon Beauchamp, SG/SF, G League Ignite

Vecenie: MarJon Beauchamp, SG/SF, G League Ignite

Peek: MarJon Beauchamp, SG/SF, G League Ignite

O’Connor: Jaden Hardy, SG, G League Ignite

Tankathon: Kennedy Chandler, PG, Tennessee

NBADraft.net: Jaylin Williams, PF/C, Arkansas

If the Houston Rockets are looking for an intelligent cutter with the right kind of mentality, they’d do well to land MarJon Beauchamp of the G League Ignite this deep into the prospect pageant. 

Consensus: MarJon Beauchamp, SG/SF, G League Ignite

27. Miami Heat

Givony: Jaden Hardy, SG, G League Ignite

Vecenie: Bryce McGowens, SF, Nebraska

Peek: Jaden Hardy, SG, G League Ignite

O’Connor: Kennedy Chandler, PG, Tennessee

Tankathon: Dalen Terry, PG/SG, Arizona

NBADraft.net: Dalen Terry, PG, SG, Arizona

Kyle Lowry isn’t getting any younger, which is probably why the Miami Heat are almost universally expected to turn to a backcourt prospect with their first-round choice. 

Consensus: None

28. Golden State Warriors

Givony: Jake LaRavia, PF, Wake Forest

Vecenie: Nikola Jovic, SF, Mega Mozzart

Peek: Jake LaRavia, PF, Wake Forest

O’Connor: Christian Koloko, C, Arizona

Tankathon: Jake LaRavia, PF, Wake Forest

NBADraft.net: Max Christie, SG, Michigan State

With James Wiseman still ramping up and Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga coming off promising rookie campaigns, the Golden State Warriors can afford to shoot for the stars here as they continue to successfuly straddle multiple timelines. 

Consensus: Jake LaRavia, PF, Wake Forest

29. Memphis Grizzlies

Givony: Nikola Jovic, SF, Mega Mozzart

Vecenie: Kennedy Chandler, PG, Tennessee

Peek: Bryce McGowens, SF, Nebraska

O’Connor: MarJon Beauchamp, SG/SF, G League Ignite

Tankathon: Kendall Brown, SF, Baylor

NBADraft.net: Wendell Moore Jr., SF, Duke

The consensus here is a position rather than a singular player. Nikola Jovic, Bryce McGowens, MarJon Beauchamp, Kendall Brown, and Wendell Moore Jr. all live on the wings, and that’s where the Memphis Grizzlies need to add the most depth after their breakout 2021-22. 

Consensus: None

30. Denver Nuggets (via Phoenix Suns)

Givony: Christian Braun, SG/SF, Kansas

Vecenie: Andrew Nembhard, PG, Gonzaga

Peek: Caleb Houstan, SG/SF, Michigan

O’Connor: Jake LaRavia, PF, Wake Forest

Tankathon: Patrick Baldwin Jr., SF/PF, Milwaukee

NBADraft.net: Jake LaRavia, PF, Wake Forest

The Denver Nuggets were affected by so many injuries throughout the 2021-22 campaign that it’s hard to get a good sense of what they need most. Forward depth? Another guard to add to the rotation as Jamal Murray works his way back into the fold? A draft-and-stash option? 

Consensus: Jake LaRavia, PF, Wake Forest

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