7. TRADE: Detroit Pistons (via Portland Trail Blazers) — Dyson Daniels, G-Leauge Ignite
The Portland Trail Blazers are going to be focused on pursuing trades for win-now talents using this pick. Given the Detroit Pistons would already be going with Keegan Murray with the No. 5 overall pick and have Saddiq Bey in the fold, it would be a solid choice to move Jerami Grant.
8. New Orleans Pelicans — Shaedon Sharpe, G-League Ignite
Deploying a center that is limited to playing in deep drop coverage like Jonas Valanciunas is not a viable strategy for a team with contention aspirations. The New Orleans Pelicans experienced death by 1,000 Chris Paul short-range jumper cuts in the first round of the playoffs. Jalen Duren could help in that regard, but here, they’d go for the perimeter upside swing with Shaedon Sharpe.
9. San Antonio Spurs — Jalen Duren, Memphis
The San Antonio Spurs are expected to target a traditional center with this pick. While Jalen Duren will be a long-term developmental project, he has intriguing physical tools that could lead to quite an impressive ceiling. He’s largely limited to being an interior play finisher on offense but has legitimate shot-blocking and mobility on defense.
10. Washington Wizards — Johnny Davis, Wisconsin
The Washington Wizards have aspirations of trading for a point guard, but there don’t appear to be too many viable options worth parting with the No. 10 overall pick to do it. They can use other assets to pursue a stopgap option while holding onto this pick and take a guard like Johnny Davis.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND DRAFT RUMORS: 2022 NBA Mock Draft: Early Look At Full First-Round Projections
11. New York Knicks — A.J. Griffin, Duke
There are a few major ways the New York Knicks could go at this spot. An intriguing option would be to add a sharpshooter like A.J. Griffin with the hope that he can develop into something more long-term. Cam Reddish will need a new contract at some point in the near future. If Griffin impresses early, perhaps they could move Reddish to address another position.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND DRAFT RUMORS: 2022 NBA Mock Draft: Early Look At Full First-Round Projections
12. Oklahoma City Thunder — Jeremy Sochan, Baylor
There are a lot of holes the Oklahoma City Thunder have on their roster around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey. They will need to find a long-term answer at probably every other spot in the starting lineup. After taking a frontcourt talent like Chet Holmgren, it would be a solid option for them to go with a versatile defender like Jeremy Sochan.
