Pedro Oliveira
This week, on Thursday, June 23, the 2022 NBA Draft will take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York City, with one of the most intriguing and surprising drafts in recent memory.
As we usually do, at JefeBet we want to provide you with the best information with the least amount of effort on your part, so we continue our practice of compiling all of the expert picks and predictions for this year’s prospect challenge.
Expert Predictions for the First Round of the 2022 NBA Draft
Mock Draft: ESPN
| Selection | Jonathan Givony (ESPN) |
| 1.Orlando Magic | Jabari Smith, 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/C, Iowa |
| 6. Indiana Pacers | Benedict Mathurin, G/F. Arizona |
| 7. Portland Trail Blazers | Dyson Daniels, G, G-League Ignite |
| 8. New Orleans Pelicans (via LAL) | Shaedon Sharpe, G, Kentucky |
| 9. San Antonio Spurs | Jalen Duren, C, Memphis |
| 10. Washington Wizards | Johnny Davis, G/F, Wisconsin |
| 11. New York Knicks | AJ Griffin, F, Duke |
| 12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC) | Ousmane Dieng, F, NZ Breakers |
| 13. Charlotte Hornets | Jeremy Sochan, F, Baylor |
| 14. Cleveland Cavaliers | Ochai Agbaji, SF, Kansas |
| 15. Charlotte Hornets (via NOP) | Mark Williams, C, Duke |
| 16. Atlanta Hawks | Malaki Branham, SG, Ohio State |
| 17. Houston Rockets | Tari Eason, F, LSU |
| 18. Chicago Bulls | Jalen Williams, G/F, Santa Clara |
| 19. Minnesota Timberwolves | Walker Kessler, C, Auburn |
| 20. San Antonio Spurs (via TOR) | Blake Wesley, G, Notre Dame |
| 21. Denver Nuggets | TyTy Washington Jr, G, Kentucky |
| 22. Memphis Grizzlies (via UTA) | Kennedy Chandler, PG, Tennessee |
| 23. Philadelphia 76ers (via BKN) | Jaden Hardy, G, G-League Ignite |
| 24. Milwaukee Bucks | Nikola Jovic, F, Mega Mozzart |
| 25. San Antonio Spurs (via BOS) | E. J. Liddell, F, Ohio State |
| 26. Houston Rockets | MarJon Beauchamp, G/F, G-League |
| 27. Miami Heat | Dalen Terry, G, Arizona |
| 28. Golden State Warriors | Jake LaRavia, F, Wake Forest |
| 29. Memphis Grizzlies | Caleb Houston, F, Michigan |
| 30. Denver Nuggets (via OKC) | David Roddy, P.F., Colorado St. |
Mock Draft: The Ringer
| Selection | Kevin O’Connor (The Ringer) |
| 1.Orlando Magic | Jabari Smith, 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 | Benedict Mathurin, G/F. Arizona |
| 6. Indiana Pacers | Keegan Murray, F/C, Iowa |
| 7. Portland Trail Blazers | Shaedon Sharpe, G, Kentucky |
| 8. New Orleans Pelicans (via LAL) | Dyson Daniels, G, G-League Ignite |
| 9. San Antonio Spurs | Ousmane Dieng, F, NZ Breakers |
| 10. Washington Wizards | Johnny Davis, G/F, Wisconsin |
| 11. New York Knicks | Jalen Duren, C, Memphis |
| 12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC) | Jeremy Sochan, F, Baylor |
| 13. Charlotte Hornets | AJ Griffin, F, Duke |
| 14. Cleveland Cavaliers | Ochai Agbaji, SF, Kansas |
| 15. Charlotte Hornets (via NOP) | Mark Williams, C, Duke |
| 16. Atlanta Hawks | Tari Eason, F, LSU |
| 17. Houston Rockets | Jalen Williams, G/F, Santa Clara |
| 18. Chicago Bulls | E. J. Liddell, F, Ohio State |
| 19. Minnesota Timberwolves | TyTy Washington Jr, G, Kentucky |
| 20. San Antonio Spurs (via TOR) | Nikola Jovic, F, Mega Mozzart |
| 21. Denver Nuggets | Malaki Branham, SG, Ohio State |
| 22. Memphis Grizzlies (via UTA) | Bryce McGowens, G/F, Nebraska |
| 23. Philadelphia 76ers (via BKN) | Blake Wesley, G, Notre Dame |
| 24. Milwaukee Bucks | Dalen Terry, G, Arizona |
| 25. San Antonio Spurs (via BOS) | Walker Kessler, C, Auburn |
| 26. Houston Rockets | Jaden Hardy, G, G-League Ignite |
| 27. Miami Heat | Kennedy Chandler, PG, Tennessee |
| 28. Golden State Warriors | Christian Koloko, C, Arizona |
| 29. Memphis Grizzlies | MarJon Beauchamp, G/F, G-League |
| 30. Denver Nuggets (via OKC) | Jake LaRavia, F, Wake Forest |
Mock Draft: CBS
| Selection | Gary Parrish (CBS) |
| 1.Orlando Magic | Chet Holmgren, C, Gonzaga |
| 2.Oklahoma City Thunder | Jabari Smith, F, Auburn |
| 3. Houston Rockets | Paolo Banchero, F, Duke |
| 4. Sacramento Kings | Jaden Ivey, G, Purdue |
| 5.Detroit Pistons | Keegan Murray, F/C, Iowa |
| 6. Indiana Pacers | Shaedon Sharpe, G, Kentucky |
| 7. Portland Trail Blazers | Benedict Mathurin, G/F. Arizona |
| 8. New Orleans Pelicans (via LAL) | AJ Griffin, F, Duke |
| 9. San Antonio Spurs | Jalen Duren, C, Memphis |
| 10. Washington Wizards | Ochai Agbaji, SF, Kansas |
| 11. New York Knicks | Johnny Davis, G/F, Wisconsin |
| 12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC) | Dyson Daniels, G, G-League Ignite |
| 13. Charlotte Hornets | Mark Williams, C, Duke |
| 14. Cleveland Cavaliers | Malaki Branham, SG, Ohio State |
| 15. Charlotte Hornets (via NOP) | Jeremy Sochan, F, Baylor |
| 16. Atlanta Hawks | Jalen Williams, G/F, Santa Clara |
| 17. Houston Rockets | Ousmane Dieng, F, NZ Breakers |
| 18. Chicago Bulls | Walker Kessler, C, Auburn |
| 19. Minnesota Timberwolves | TyTy Washington Jr, G, Kentucky |
| 20. San Antonio Spurs (via TOR) | Jaden Hardy, G, G-League Ignite |
| 21. Denver Nuggets | Blake Wesley, G, Notre Dame |
| 22. Memphis Grizzlies (via UTA) | Kennedy Chandler, PG, Tennessee |
| 23. Philadelphia 76ers (via BKN) | Tari Eason, F, LSU |
| 24. Milwaukee Bucks | E. J. Liddell, F, Ohio State |
| 25. San Antonio Spurs (via BOS) | Christian Braun, G/F, Kansas |
| 26. Houston Rockets | Dalen Terry, G, Arizona |
| 27. Miami Heat | MarJon Beauchamp, G/F, G-League Ignite |
| 28. Golden State Warriors | Caleb Houston, F, Michigan |
| 29. Memphis Grizzlies | Kendall Brown, F, Baylor |
| 30. Denver Nuggets (via OKC) | Nikola Jovic, F, Mega Mozzart |
Mock Draft: Yahoo! Sports
| Selection | Yahoo! Sports (Krysten Peek) |
| 1.Orlando Magic | Jabari Smith, 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 | Shaedon Sharpe, G, Kentucky |
| 6. Indiana Pacers | Keegan Murray, F/C, Iowa |
| 7. Portland Trail Blazers | Dyson Daniels, G, G-League Ignite |
| 8. New Orleans Pelicans (via LAL) | Benedict Mathurin, G/F. Arizona |
| 9. San Antonio Spurs | Jeremy Sochan, F, Baylor |
| 10. Washington Wizards | Malaki Branham, SG, Ohio State |
| 11. New York Knicks | AJ Griffin, F, Duke |
| 12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC) | Johnny Davis, G/F, Wisconsin |
| 13. Charlotte Hornets | Jalen Duren, C, Memphis |
| 14. Cleveland Cavaliers | Tari Eason, F, LSU |
| 15. Charlotte Hornets (via NOP) | Blake Wesley, G, Notre Dame |
| 16. Atlanta Hawks | Ousmane Dieng, F, NZ Breakers |
| 17. Houston Rockets | TyTy Washington Jr, G, Kentucky |
| 18. Chicago Bulls | Mark Williams, C, Duke |
| 19. Minnesota Timberwolves | Nikola Jovic, F, Mega Mozzart |
| 20. San Antonio Spurs (via TOR) | Kennedy Chandler, PG, Tennessee |
| 21. Denver Nuggets | MarJon Beauchamp, G/F, G-League |
| 22. Memphis Grizzlies (via UTA) | Ochai Agbaji, SF, Kansas |
| 23. Philadelphia 76ers (via BKN) | Jalen Williams, G/F, Santa Clara |
| 24. Milwaukee Bucks | E. J. Liddell, F, Ohio State |
| 25. San Antonio Spurs (via BOS) | Jaden Hardy, G, G-League Ignite |
| 26. Houston Rockets | Kendall Brown, F, Baylor |
| 27. Miami Heat | Wendell Moore Jr, G, Duke |
| 28. Golden State Warriors | Walker Kessler, C, Auburn |
| 29. Memphis Grizzlies | Dalen Terry, G, Arizona |
| 30. Denver Nuggets (via OKC) | Christian Braun, G/F, Kansas |
Mock Draft: The Athletic
| Selection | The Athletic (Sam Vecenie) |
| 1.Orlando Magic | Jabari Smith, 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 | Shaedon Sharpe, G, Kentucky |
| 6. Indiana Pacers | Keegan Murray, F/C, Iowa |
| 7. Portland Trail Blazers | Jeremy Sochan, F, Baylor |
| 8. New Orleans Pelicans (via LAL) | Benedict Mathurin, G/F. Arizona |
| 9. San Antonio Spurs | AJ Griffin, F, Duke |
| 10. Washington Wizards | Dyson Daniels, G, G-League Ignite |
| 11. New York Knicks | Jalen Duren, C, Memphis |
| 12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC) | Ousmane Dieng, F, NZ Breakers |
| 13. Charlotte Hornets | Mark Williams, C, Duke |
| 14. Cleveland Cavaliers | Johnny Davis, G/F, Wisconsin |
| 15. Charlotte Hornets (via NOP) | Ochai Agbaji, SF, Kansas |
| 16. Atlanta Hawks | Malaki Branham, SG, Ohio State |
| 17. Houston Rockets | TyTy Washington Jr, G, Kentucky |
| 18. Chicago Bulls | Tari Eason, F, LSU |
| 19. Minnesota Timberwolves | Blake Wesley, G, Notre Dame |
| 20. San Antonio Spurs (via TOR) | Walker Kessler, C, Auburn |
| 21. Denver Nuggets | Jalen Williams, G/F, Santa Clara |
| 22. Memphis Grizzlies (via UTA) | Bryce McGowens, G/F, Nebraska |
| 23. Philadelphia 76ers (via BKN) | Jaden Hardy, G, G-League Ignite |
| 24. Milwaukee Bucks | Terquavion Smith, G, NCState |
| 25. San Antonio Spurs (via BOS) | Nikola Jovic, F, Mega Mozzart |
| 26. Houston Rockets | MarJon Beauchamp, G/F, G-League Ignite |
| 27. Miami Heat | Kennedy Chandler, PG, Tennessee |
| 28. Golden State Warriors | Jake LaRavia, F, Wake Forest |
| 29. Memphis Grizzlies | Patrick Baldwin Jr, F, Milwaukee |
| 30. Denver Nuggets (via OKC) | Kendall Brown, F, Baylor |
Remarks on the Experts’ Mock Draft
- Jabari Smith is the overwhelming favorite to be the contest’s top overall pick, but Chet Holmgren appears to be his only challenger. The top three picks don’t change for any of the experts: along with Paolo Banchero, the aforementioned are the top-ranked prospects in the NBA Draft.
- Jaden Ivey, the Purdue star, looks set to be picked fourth overall, occupying the same spot on the all-experts board. The funny thing is that the Sacramento Kings could trade this pick on the night of the draft, or even a little earlier.
- Jalen Duren is the highest-rated center among the experts, beating all of his opponents to be selected as the No. 1 center in the draft. The University of Memphis’ talent attracts multiple franchises with his potential, however, among experts they consider that he might be selected as early as the 9th pick (San Antonio Spurs) or as late as the 11th pick (New York Knicks).
- All experts agree that three players from the G-League Ignite will be chosen in the first round (Dyson Daniels, Jaden Hardy, MarJon Beauchamp), as well as two prospects from foreign leagues (Ousmane Dieng, Nikola Jovic).
- Jeremy Sochan out of Baylor is one of the widest possible prospects, going as high as a 7th pick and as low as a 15th pick. In the latest reports around the contest, it has been said that some teams have moved him up among their goals.
- One of the teams most interested in making a trade during the night of the contest is the Oklahoma City Thunder: according to reports, the team managed by Sam Presti will seek “aggressively” to move up from their 12th pick. Two likely picks to be traded have been identified as 4th (Sacramento Kings) and 7th (Portland Trail Blazers).
