2022 NBA Mock Draft: Picks 25-30
25. San Antonio Spurs (via BOS) – Patrick Baldwin Jr. – Wisconsin-Milwaukee
No one’s draft stock took a harder tumble than Patrick Baldwin Jr.’s. After a disappointing freshman season in which he underwhelmed playing for his father at a small school, Baldwin Jr. could see himself drop out of the first round. But the skills that made him a blue-chip prospect to begin with are still there.
He’s a potential walking mismatch at 6’10 with a tight handle and picture-perfect jump shot. He should also be a versatile defender one day with added discipline and IQ. The San Antonio Spurs would be the perfect landing spot to turn Baldwin Jr.’s potential into real assets.
26. Dallas Mavericks – Kendall Brown – Baylor
The Dallas Mavericks are in need of defensive-minded big wings. Kendall Brown would be the perfect defensive piece next to Dallas’s three-headed guard monster in Jalen Brunson, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Luka Doncic.
He’s a rangy, freak athlete who would give the Mavericks’ ballhandlers a dangerous option to find on the break and for lobs. He has the size and strength to guard positions 1-4 and would take pressure off of the Mavs’ weaker defenders.
27. Miami Heat – Wendell Moore Jr. – Duke
Wendell Moore Jr. perfectly fits into Miami’s ideal roster construction as a wing with good size who can do a little bit of everything. He can guard multiple positions on defense, handle the ball, offers secondary playmaking, slash to the rim, and spot up from deep.
He’ll add versatility and two-way play to a Heat roster already brimming with them. It’d be interesting to see what he could do with Jimmy Butler as a mentor.
28. Golden State Warriors – Christian Koloko – Arizona
The Golden State Warriors need a true big, especially since Draymond Green is prone to miss a handful of games every season. Even if James Wiseman is healthy and impactful next season, the Dubs could use another athletic big on their depth chart.
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Koloko projects to be a true defensive anchor and has the mobility to be able to switch and guard on the perimeter. He’ll bring a strong interior presence to the middle of Golden State’s offense, able to finish dump-offs, catch lobs, and put back misses.
29. Memphis Grizzlies – Christian Braun – Kansas
Christian Braun was perhaps the most impressive Jayhawk throughout the NCAA tourney. He was a gritty defender and oftentimes the most consistent offensive creator for Kansas. He’s a strong finisher at the rim, has enough of a handle and the vision to be a secondary playmaker, and can be counted on to hit spot-up jumpers. He’ll be perfect as added wing depth for the Memphis Grizzlies.
30. Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHX) – MarJon Beauchamp
MarJon Beauchamp gives the Thunder an elite athlete and stopper, but one that is flawed on offense. But with his towering potential and natural skills as a defender and playmaker, he’s worth taking a bet on. If he can develop a 3-point shot, the Thunder would be adding a potential two-way star with the last pick in the first round.
