NBA Mock Drafts 2022: Compare drafts from ESPN, The Athletic, other experts

Joe Rivera

NBA Mock Drafts 2022: Compare drafts from ESPN, The Athletic, other experts image

The 2022 NBA Draft comes your way on Thursday, June 23, but much of the mystery surrounding the top three picks has all but dissipated. 

This year, Auburn's Jabari Smith Jr. seems to be the consensus top overall pick, with Gonzaga big man Chet Holmgren and Duke's Paolo Banchero seemingly locks to fill out the top three selections in the first round.

That doesn't mean that Thursday night will come and go without some signature Association drama. This year's draft seems to be a little lighter on top-end talent, leading the way to lots of potential moving and shaking among teams potentially eyeing the 2023 draft instead.

MORE: NBA Mock Draft 2022 — Popular trio of picks at the top of the first round

All eyes are on the Kings at No. 4 as the team to watch: Rumors suggest Sacramento may be looking to offload the fourth pick, with a number of suitors potentially interested in Purdue guard Jaden Ivey.

However it shakes out, there are plenty of mock drafters who see things the same way in the first round. Here's how many of the top NBA Draft experts see the draft working out come Thursday:

NBA Mock Drafts 2022

Kyle Irving's mock draft (The Sporting News)

Irving's latest mock draft was released on June 22:

Pick Team Player Position School
1 Orlando Magic Jabari Smith Jr. F Auburn
2 Oklahoma City Thunder Chet Holmgren C/F Gonzaga
3 Houston Rockets Paolo Banchero F Duke
4 Sacramento Kings Jaden Ivey G Purdue
5 Detroit Pistons Bennedict Mathurin G Arizona
6 Indiana Pacers Keegan Murray F Iowa
7 Portland Trail Blazers Dyson Daniels G G League Ignite
8 New Orleans Pelicans (from LAL) Shaedon Sharpe G Kentucky
9 San Antonio Spurs Jalen Duren C Memphis
10 Washington Wizards Johnny Davis G Wisconsin
11 New York Knicks AJ Griffin F Duke
12 Oklahoma City Thunder (from LAC) Jeremy Sochan F Baylor
13 Charlotte Hornets (from NOP) Mark Williams C Duke
14 Cleveland Cavaliers Malaki Branham F Ohio State
15 Charlotte Hornets (from NOP) Ochai Agbaji F/G Kansas
16 Atlanta Hawks Ousmane Dieng F NZ Breakers (NBL, France)
17 Houston Rockets (from BKN) Tari Eason F LSU
18 Chicago Bulls E.J. Liddell F Ohio State
19 Minnesota Timberwolves TyTy Washington Jr. G Kentucky
20 San Antonio Spurs (from TOR) Jalen Williams F/G Santa Clara
21 Denver Nuggets Jaden Hardy G G League Ignite
22 Memphis Grizzlies (from UTA) MarJon Beauchamp F G League Ignite
23 Philadelphia 76ers Kennedy Chandler G Tennessee
24 Milwaukee Bucks Blake Wesley G Notre Dame
25 San Antonio Spurs (from BOS) Nikola Jovic F Mega Basket (ABA, Serbia)
26 Houston Rockets (fom DAL) Dalen Terry G Arizona
27 Miami Heat Trevor Keels G Duke
28 Golden State Warriors Christian Koloko C Arizona
29 Memphis Grizzlies Walker Kessler C Auburn
30 Denver Nuggets, (from PHO via OKC) Christian Braun F Kansas

Noteworthy:

— Coach K's last gift to the NBA: Four Duke players end up as first-round selections.

— The Warriors, not waiting any longer for James Wiseman to get on the court and make an impact, select Arizona's Christian Koloko at No. 28. Koloko is heralded as a top-tier rim protector.

— The Knicks solidify the front court with Duke's A.J. Griffin. Griffin can bring consistent 3-point shooting to a Knicks offense that needs it.

Kevin O'Connor's mock draft (The Ringer)

O'Connor's last mock draft was released on June 16.

Pick Team Player Position School
1 Orlando Magic Jabari Smith Jr. F Auburn
2 Oklahoma City Thunder Chet Holmgren BIG Gonzaga
3 Houston Rockets Paolo Banchero BIG Duke
4 Sacramento Kings Jaden Ivey G Purdue
5 Detroit Pistons Bennedict Mathurin WING Arizona
6 Indiana Pacers Keegan Murray F Iowa
7 Portland Trail Blazers Shaedon Sharpe WING Kentucky
8 New Orleans Pelicans (from LAL) Dyson Daniels G G League Ignite
9 San Antonio Spurs Ousmane Dieng F NZ Breakers (NBL, France)
10 Washington Wizards Johnny Davis G Wisconsin
11 New York Knicks Jalen Duren BIG Memphis
12 Oklahoma City Thunder (from LAC) Jeremy Sochan WING Baylor
13 Charlotte Hornets (from NOP) AJ Griffin WING Duke
14 Cleveland Cavaliers Ochai Agbaji WING Kansas
15 Charlotte Hornets (from NOP) Mark Williams C Duke
16 Atlanta Hawks Tari Eason F LSU
17 Houston Rockets (from BKN) Jalen Williams F Santa Clara
18 Chicago Bulls E.J. Liddell F Ohio State
19 Minnesota Timberwolves TyTy Washington G Kentucky
20 San Antonio Spurs (from TOR) Nikola Jovic F Mega Basket (ABA, Serbia)
21 Denver Nuggets Malaki Branham G Ohio State
22 Memphis Grizzlies (from UTA) Bryce McGowens WING Nebraska
23 Philadelphia 76ers Blake Wesley WING Notre Dame
24 Milwaukee Bucks Dalen Terry WING Arizona
25 San Antonio Spurs (from BOS) Walker Kessler C Auburn
26 Houston Rockets (fom DAL) Jaden Hardy WING G League Ignite
27 Miami Heat Kennedy Chandler G Tennessee
28 Golden State Warriors Christian Koloko C Arizona
29 Memphis Grizzlies MarJon Beauchamp WING G League Ignite
30 Denver Nuggets, (from PHO via OKC) Jake LaRavia F Wake Forest

Noteworthy: 

— Should Sacramento stick at No. 4, they'll take Purdue's Jaden Ivey, according to O'Connor. Ivey is an explosive, attacking guard who plays with excellent control.

— Nikola Jovic heads to Gregg Popovich and the Spurs here. The mobile big man can shoot, but needs to continue developing other parts of his game, something that Popovich may be able to help with.

— Three Ignite players are taken in the first round here: MarJon Beauchamp, Jaden Hardy and Dyson Daniels. 

Jonathan Givony's mock draft (ESPN)

Givony's latest mock draft was revealed on June 22:

Pick Team Player Position School
1 Orlando Magic Jabari Smith Jr. F Auburn
2 Oklahoma City Thunder Chet Holmgren PF Gonzaga
3 Houston Rockets Paolo Banchero PF/C Duke
4 Sacramento Kings Jaden Ivey PG/SG Purdue
5 Detroit Pistons Keegan Murray PF/C Iowa
6 Indiana Pacers Bennedict Mathurin SG/SF Arizona
7 Portland Trail Blazers Dyson Daniels PG/SG G League Ignite
8 New Orleans Pelicans (from LAL) Ousmane Dieng SF/PF NZ Breakers
9 San Antonio Spurs Shaedon Sharpe SG Kentucky
10 Washington Wizards Johnny Davis PG/SG Wisconsin
11 New York Knicks Jalen Duren C Memphis
12 Oklahoma City Thunder (from LAC) Jeremy Sochan PF Baylor
13 Charlotte Hornets (from NOP) AJ Griffin SF/PF Duke
14 Cleveland Cavaliers Ochai Agbaji SF Kansas
15 Charlotte Hornets (from NOP) Mark Williams C Duke
16 Atlanta Hawks Jalen Williams SF Santa Clara
17 Houston Rockets (from BKN) Tari Eason PF LSU
18 Chicago Bulls Malaki Branham SG Ohio State
19 Minnesota Timberwolves Walker Kessler C Auburn
20 San Antonio Spurs (from TOR) Blake Wesley SG Notre Dame
21 Denver Nuggets Dalen Terry PG/SG Arizona
22 Memphis Grizzlies (from UTA) TyTy Washington Jr. PG/SG Kentucky
23 Philadelphia 76ers Wendell Moore Jr. SF Duke
24 Milwaukee Bucks E.J. Liddell PF Ohio State
25 San Antonio Spurs (from BOS) Kennedy Chandler PG Tennessee
26 Houston Rockets (from DAL) MarJon BeauChamp SG/SF G League Ignite
27 Miami Heat Jalen Hardy SG G League Ignite
28 Golden State Warriors Jake LaRavia PF Wake Forest
29 Memphis Grizzlies Nikola Jovic SF Mega Basket (ABA, Serbia)
30 Denver Nuggets, (from PHO via OKC) Christian Braun SG/SF Kansas

Noteworthy:

— Ousmane Dieng, a tantalizing prospect, moves up to No. 8 to New Orleans. Dieng can handle, but most of his readiness right now is on the defensive side of the ball. 

— Johnny Davis is a popular pick to the Wizards at No. 10, who has drawn offensive comps to Devin Booker for his scoring ability.

Jonathan Wasserman's mock draft (Bleacher Report)

Wasserman's latest mock draft was revealed on June 15:

Pick Team Player Position School
1 Orlando Magic Jabari Smith Jr. PF Auburn
2 Oklahoma City Thunder Chet Holmgren PF/C Gonzaga
3 Houston Rockets Paolo Banchero PF Duke
4 Sacramento Kings Jaden Ivey G Purdue
5 Detroit Pistons Keegan Murray F Iowa
6 Indiana Pacers Benedict Mathurin SG/SF Arizona
7 Portland Trail Blazers Shaedon Sharpe SG Kentucky
8 New Orleans Pelicans (from LAL) Dyson Daniels PG/SG G League Ignite
9 San Antonio Spurs Jeremy Sochan PF Baylor
10 Washington Wizards Johnny Davis SG Wisconsin
11 New York Knicks AJ Griffin SF Duke
12 Oklahoma City Thunder (from LAC) Jalen Duren C Memphis
13 Charlotte Hornets (from NOP) Ousmane Dieng SG/SF NZ Breakers
14 Cleveland Cavaliers Ochai Agbaji SG/SF Kansas
15 Charlotte Hornets (from NOP) Mark Williams C Duke
16 Atlanta Hawks Jalen Williams PG/SG Santa Clara
17 Houston Rockets (from BKN) Tari Eason PF LSU
18 Chicago Bulls Malaki Branham SG Ohio State
19 Minnesota Timberwolves Blake Wesley SG Notre Dame
20 San Antonio Spurs (from TOR) Dalen Terry PG/SG Arizona
21 Denver Nuggets MarJon Beauchamp SF G League Ignite
22 Memphis Grizzlies (from UTA) Wendell Moore Jr. SG/SF Duke
23 Philadelphia 76ers Jaden Hardy SG G League Ignite
24 Milwaukee Bucks EJ Liddell PF Ohio State
25 San Antonio Spurs (from BOS) Ismael Kamagate C Paris Basketball
26 Dallas Mavericks TyTy Washington PG Kentucky
27 Miami Heat Nikola Jovic PF Mega Mozzart (Serbia)
28 Golden State Warriors Jake LaRavia PF Wake Forest
29 Memphis Grizzlies Walker Kessler C Auburn
30 Denver Nuggets, (from PHO via OKC) Kennedy Chandler PG Tennessee

Noteworthy: 

— The Warriors take forward Jake LaRavia in Wasserman's most recent mock draft. LaRavia is a high-IQ player who gets comps to Gordon Hayward.

— Wasserman is another who has four Duke players in the first round, with the Grizzlies taking Wendell Moore Jr. No. 22 overall. 

Jeremy Woo's mock draft (Sports Illustrated)

Woo's latest mock draft was released on June 20:

Pick Team Player Position School
1 Orlando Magic Jabari Smith Jr. F Auburn
2 Oklahoma City Thunder Chet Holmgren F/C Gonzaga
3 Houston Rockets Paolo Banchero F Duke
4 Sacramento Kings Keegan Murray F Iowa
5 Detroit Pistons Jaden Ivey G Purdue
6 Indiana Pacers Benedict Mathurin SG Arizona
7 Portland Trail Blazers Dyson Daniels G/F G League Ignite
8 New Orleans Pelicans (from LAL) Shaedon Sharpe SG Kentucky
9 San Antonio Spurs Ousmane Dieng F NZ Breakers (NBL, France)
10 Washington Wizards Johnny Davis SG Wisconsin
11 New York Knicks Jalen Duren C Memphis
12 Oklahoma City Thunder (from LAC) Jeremy Sochan F Baylor
13 Charlotte Hornets (from NOP) A.J. Griffin G/F Duke
14 Cleveland Cavaliers Jalen Williams G/F Santa Clara
15 Charlotte Hornets (from NOP) Mark Williams C Duke
16 Atlanta Hawks Malaki Branham SG Ohio State
17 Houston Rockets (from BKN) Tari Eason F LSU
18 Chicago Bulls Ochai Agbaji SG Kansas
19 Minnesota Timberwolves Wendell Moore G/F Duke
20 San Antonio Spurs (from TOR) Blake Wesley G Notre Dame
21 Denver Nuggets Jake LaRavia F Wake Forest
22 Memphis Grizzlies (from UTA) Dalen Terry G/F Arizona
23 Philadelphia 76ers TyTy Washington PG Kentucky
24 Milwaukee Bucks Jaden Hardy SG G League Ignite
25 San Antonio Spurs (from BOS) Ismael Kamagate C Paris Basketball
26 Dallas Mavericks Nikola Jovic F Mega Basket (ABA, Serbia)
27 Miami Heat Christian Braun F Kansas
28 Golden State Warriors Patrick Baldwin PF Milwaukee
29 Memphis Grizzlies Kennedy Chandler PG Tennessee
30 Denver Nuggets, (from PHO via OKC) Andrew Nembhard PG Gonzaga

Noteworthy: 

— Woo has Keegan Murray going all the way to the Kings at No. 4.

— Seems like the Mavericks enjoy taking European players, with Woo selecting Nikola Jovic at No. 26. Jovic may be able to fit a scoring role left behind by the Kristaps Porzingis trade.

— Ismael Kamagate is a first-rounder in Woo's latest mock draft. He's an all-around center, who can finish around the rim and defend it, too.

Sam Vecenie's mock draft (The Athletic)

Vecenie's latest mock draft was released on June 21:

Pick Team Player Position School
1 Orlando Magic Jabari Smith Jr. F Auburn
2 Oklahoma City Thunder Chet Holmgren C Gonzaga
3 Houston Rockets Paolo Banchero F Duke
4 Sacramento Kings Jaden Ivey G Purdue
5 Detroit Pistons Keegan Murray F Iowa
6 Indiana Pacers Benedict Mathurin WING Arizona
7 Portland Trail Blazers Dyson Daniels WING G League Ignite
8 New Orleans Pelicans (from LAL) Ousmane Dieng F NZ Breakers (NBL, France)
9 San Antonio Spurs Johnny Davis WING Wisconsin
10 Washington Wizards Shaedon Sharpe F Kentucky
11 New York Knicks AJ Griffin F Duke
12 Oklahoma City Thunder (from LAC) Jeremy Sochan F Baylor
13 Charlotte Hornets (from NOP) Jalen Duren C Memphis
14 Cleveland Cavaliers Jalen Williams WING Santa Clara
15 Charlotte Hornets (from NOP) Ochai Agbaji WING Kansas
16 Atlanta Hawks Malaki Branham WING Ohio State
17 Houston Rockets (from BKN) Tari Eason F LSU
18 Chicago Bulls Mark Williams C Duke
19 Minnesota Timberwolves TyTy Washington Jr. G Kentucky
20 San Antonio Spurs (from TOR) E.J. Liddell F Ohio State
21 Denver Nuggets Blake Wesley G Notre Dame
22 Memphis Grizzlies (from UTA) Dalen Terry WING Arizona
23 Philadelphia 76ers Jaden Hardy G G League Ignite
24 Milwaukee Bucks Jake LaRavia F Wake Forest
25 San Antonio Spurs (from BOS) Walker Kessler C Auburn
26 Dallas Mavericks MarJon Beauchamp WING G League Ignite
27 Miami Heat Bryce McGowens WING Nebraska
28 Golden State Warriors Nikola Jovic F Mega Basket (ABA, Serbia)
29 Memphis Grizzlies Kennedy Chandler G Tennessee
30 Denver Nuggets, (from PHO via OKC) Andrew Nembhard G Gonzaga

— The Warriors take Jovic in Vecenie's mock draft, giving Golden State another shooter. Just what they need.

— Nebraska's Bryce McGowens sneaks into the first round here, going to the Heat at No. 27 overall.

— Benedict Mathurin, top-10 pick? Mathurin goes No. 6 overall to the Pacers at the high end of his projection.

Joe Rivera