2022 NBA Mock Draft 8.0: Dyson Daniels, Jalen Williams biggest first-round risers
The NBA draft is less than three weeks away and the order at the top is starting to take shape. The top four players — Jabari Smith, Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero and Jaden Ivey — have remained consistent all season long, but it's the options at Nos. 4-8 that have heated up a bit with G League Ignite guard Dyson Daniels entering top-five consideration and NBA draft combine standout Jalen Williams solidifying himself as a projected first-round draft pick.
Yahoo Sports takes a look at the top five picks, plus the most recent moves in the first round and projected picks for all 30 slots.
1. Orlando Magic: F Jabari Smith
Ht./Wt.: 6-10, 220 pounds | Class: Freshman | Auburn: 16.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg
Smith is still the safest option at No. 1 and has interviewed incredibly well for teams at the top. He's not the consensus overall top pick in the draft, but his upside is incredible with his 3-point shooting (averaging 42% from deep) and his footwork in the paint.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder: C Chet Holmgren
Ht./Wt.: 7-0, 196 pounds | Class: Freshman | Gonzaga: 14.1 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 3.7 bpg
Oklahoma City and general manager Sam Presti have three first-round draft picks and still could tank next year to potentially go after either Victor Wembanyama or Scoot Henderson. Holmgren is the best option at No. 2 and has the potential to change the way the game is played at center at the NBA level.
3. Houston Rockets: F Paolo Banchero
Ht./Wt.: 6-10, 250 pounds | Class: Freshman | Duke: 17.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 3.2 apg
Banchero feels like a lock at No. 3 with his incredible instincts as a primary ball-handler and his size. It wouldn't be wise for Houston to pass on Banchero with the young talent the Rockets have coming up in the organization.
4. Sacramento Kings: G Jaden Ivey
Ht./Wt.: 6-4, 195 pounds | Class: Sophomore | Purdue: 17.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.1 apg
The Kings could trade this pick and are a huge target for teams that need a versatile ball-handler and scorer. Sacramento has drafted two high-level guards in the last two drafts, and the Kings either need to draft the best-available player in Ivey (a possible Ja Morant 2.0), or trade down to a team that needs a guard and then target either Jalen Duren or Mark Williams for some size.
5. Detroit Pistons: G Shaedon Sharpe
Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 215 pounds | Class: Freshman | Kentucky: Did not play this season
The Pistons might be the best-case scenario for Sharpe. The troubled guard left Kentucky after empty promises and never played a college game. If a team is going to take a gamble on Sharpe's potential, it needs to be a team in the rebuild process. Cade Cunningham is the perfect point guard to create for Sharpe, and there wouldn't be immense pressure on Sharpe to produce right away.
6. Indiana Pacers: F Keegan Murray
Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 215 pounds | Class: Sophomore | Iowa: 23.5 ppg, 8.7 rpg
Murray brings great size at the wing position and was arguably the best college basketball player last season. He isn't going to be the No. 1 option on the court for the Pacers but has an efficient midrange game and is a solid defender. He'll need to improve on his playmaking at the next level, but with Tyrese Haliburton and Malcolm Brogdon on the court, he won't have the ball in his hands as much as he did at Iowa.
7. Portland Trail Blazers: G Dyson Daniels
Ht./Wt.: 6-6, 200 pounds | Australia | G League Ignite: 11.3 ppg, 4.4 apg
Daniels had a great showing at the combine with his pro day and interviewed well with teams. After a slow start in the G League, Daniels surged to close the season, creating for others and showcasing his size and length against much stronger opponents. His upside is off the charts and there has been some chatter that he could sneak into the top five after strong team workouts.
8. New Orleans Pelicans: G Benn Mathurin
Ht./Wt.: 6-6, 210 pounds | Class: Sophomore | Arizona: 17.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.5 apg
Mathurin elected to return to Arizona for his sophomore year after testing the NBA waters and getting feedback from teams. His game improved tremendously and he worked on his body and change of speed off the wing. Mathurin is a guard that can play and defend positions all along the perimeter and could be an instant plug-and-play guy at the next level with his size and scoring versatility.
9. San Antonio Spurs: F Jeremy Sochan
Ht./Wt.: 6-9, 230 pounds | Class: Freshman | Baylor: 9.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg
Sochan had one of the best pro days during the draft combine and showcased his speed and consistent 3-point jumper — something that he struggled with at Baylor. The NBA spacing and pick-and-roll option caters to Sochan, and he will undoubtedly be a much better pro than his one year in college would indicate.
10. Washington Wizards: G Malaki Branham
Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 180 pounds | Class: Freshman | Ohio State: 13.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg
Branham improved tremendously and was one of the most impactful point guards in college basketball to close out the season. He's still young, turning 19 on May 12, but will be a solid backup option in the second unit and it speaks volumes to his continued rise when Ohio State essentially shifted the offense to run around him to close out the season. He has strong shooting instincts and is consistent in the catch-and-shoot and getting shots off the dribble.
11. New York Knicks: F A.J. Griffin
Ht./Wt.: 6-6, 222 pounds | Class: Freshman | Duke: 10.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg
If Griffin can stay healthy, he might end up being a steal at No. 11. He has all the physical tools to be an instant impact guy at the NBA level but has struggled to consistently stay on the court due to nagging injuries during his young career. The spacing in the NBA will cater to Griffin because of how strong he is with the ball in mismatch situations, and he can add a lot of size to the wing on this Knicks team.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: G Johnny Davis
Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 194 pounds | Class: Sophomore | Wisconsin: 19.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.1 apg
Davis remains one of the safest picks in the lottery with his intensity, hard-working mindset and consistent play. There's a lot of long-term value and upside in Davis, and even though he might not be the superstar to change the franchise, he is a nice complementary piece. Davis remains one of the safest picks in the lottery with his intensity, hard-working mindset and consistent play. There's a lot of long-term value and upside in Davis, and even though he might not be the superstar to change the franchise, he is a nice complementary piece to any team in the mid-to-late lottery.
13. Charlotte Hornets: C Jalen Duren
Ht./Wt.: 6-11, 250 pounds | Class: Freshman | Memphis: 12 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.1 bpg
Duren only played one year at Memphis for Penny Hardaway, after reclassiifying up a grade in high school and joining the team early. Duren was a consensus top-three player coming out of high school and despite his young age at just 18 years old, he held his own in college hoops this season. He has an NBA-ready body at 250 pounds and was one of the best passers out of a double team in college basketball. Duren will be a project and is still a couple years away from contributing immediately to a team. He’ll need to work on his jump shot out of the pick and pop and his lateral quickness when having to occasionally step out and guard the perimeter.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers: F Tari Eason
Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 216 pounds | Class: Sophomore | LSU: 16.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg
Eason is an athletic wing who piqued scouts' interest with his defensive versatility and the way he plays above the rim in transition. He's a long, perimeter player who was productive on both ends of the floor this season. His shot selection will need to improve from the 3-point range, but there is a lot to like about Eason's upside as an NBA prospect.
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15. Charlotte Hornets: G Blake Wesley
Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 185 pounds | Class: Freshman | Notre Dame: 14.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.4 apg
Wesley is the first one-and-done prospect to come out of Notre Dame and is a player who flew under the radar for half of the college basketball season. Wesley is one of the best passers out of the pick-and-roll and has the confidence to get a shot off at the end of the shot clock or when the game is on the line. Wesley is still young at just 19 years old and has a ton of upside as a budding shooting guard in the league.
16. Atlanta Hawks: F Ousmane Dieng
Ht./Wt.: 6-9, 185 pounds | France | NZ Breakers (NBL): 8.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg
Dieng is a unique prospect and has shot up draft boards on his potential one or two seasons down the road. He continues to develop his slight 6-foot-10 frame but what he does with the ball in his hands is impressive. He’s an elite passer, particularly on the wing and his 3-point shot continues to be an area of development. The San Antonio Spurs drafted Josh Primo with the No. 12 pick last draft and there could be a team in the late lottery/mid first round that does the same thing with Dieng.
17. Houston Rockets: G TyTy Washington
Ht./Wt.: 6-3, 197 pounds | Class: Freshman | Kentucky: 12.5 ppg, 3.9 apg
Kentucky head coach John Calipari has a tremendous track record with his former players, particularly guards, being productive pros. Devin Booker, Jamal Murray, De’Aaron Fox, Tyler Herro, Tyrese Maxey and Immanual Quickley all played under coach Cal and Washington could be the next great guard to come out of Lexington. He played off the ball during his one year at Kentucky but is very comfortable as a primary ball handler and doesn’t have a problem getting downhill and creating for others.
18. Chicago Bulls: C Mark Williams
Ht./Wt.: 7-0, 242 pounds | Class: Sophomore | Duke: 10.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3 bpg
Williams is an athletic center who loves to run in transition and is a solid shot blocker with his 7-foot-7 wingspan. At 20 years old, he still has room for growth and development, but the improvements he made under Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski in two years is indicative to the type of worker he is.
19. Minnesota Timberwolves: F Nikola Jovic
Ht./Wt.: 6-10, 205 pounds | Serbia | Mega Basket: 10.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg
This is the most Tim Connelly pick ever. Connelly already had success drafting another Nikola back in 2014, and the secret is out. The new Nikola showed up to his pro day in Chicago with a Luka Doncic-like grin throughout the workout and hit 10 consecutive corner threes in the 30-minute span that impressed scouts. Jovic is a project, but his personality is contagious.
20. San Antonio Spurs: G Kennedy Chandler
Ht./Wt.: 6-0, 171 pounds | Class: Freshman | Tennessee: 13.3 ppg, 4.9 apg
Chandler had a rocky start to his one year at Tennessee but closed out the season well and demonstrated his dog-like mentality and played at a high-level in the NCAA tournament. He has a second burst that's tough to defend and a tight handle, whose passing improved as the season went on.
21. Denver Nuggets: G/F MarJon Beauchamp
Ht./Wt.: 6-7, 175 pounds | G League Ignite: 15.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.3 apg
Beauchamp has a steady jumper that has improved over the last year. He has good speed in transition and is not afraid to take the shot with a defender in his face. His biggest improvement is on the defensive end with his lateral quickness and ability to sit down and guard every position on the wing.
22. Memphis Grizzlies: G Ochai Agbaji
Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 215 pounds | Class: Senior | Kansas: 18.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg
Agbaji is the perfect example of what can happen when a player returns to school and continues to develop for the next level. He tested the NBA waters twice, listened to the feedback from teams, returned to school and now is a lock in the first round.
23. Philadelphia 76ers: G Jalen Williams
Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 209 pounds | Class: Junior | Santa Clara: 18 ppg, 4.2 apg
Williams was the best player on the court in both days of the draft combine scrimmages. He got to the basket with ease, shot the ball well and had some of the best finishes in transition. Defensively, he fought through screens to keep his man in front and was effective in help-side defense, shooting the gap for steals and tips. Last year, Josh Primo (No. 12 pick, Spurs) and Bones Hyland (No. 26, Nuggets) were the biggest surprises of the first round, and Williams could be that guy this year.
24. Milwaukee Bucks: F E.J. Liddell
Ht./Wt.: 6-7, 240 pounds | Class: Junior | Ohio State: 19.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.5 apg
Liddell was one of the most improved players in college basketball this past season and solidified himself as a first-round pick after expanding his game on both ends of the floor. His 3-point shooting improved and he has a Grant Williams style of play on defense. He might be a little undersized at the power forward position at 6-foot-7 but he has the skill set to step out on the perimeter and impact the game with passing and creating for others.
25. San Antonio Spurs: G Jaden Hardy
Ht./Wt.: 6-4, 198 pounds | G League Ignite: 17.7 ppg, 3.2 apg
Hardy struggled with his shot selection during G League play, but his raw talent is undeniable. Just 19 years old, he has great instincts on offense and has the ability to take players off the dribble, instead of settling for deep, step-back 3-point shots.
26. Dallas Mavericks: F Kendall Brown
Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 205 pounds | Class: Freshman | Baylor: 9.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg
Brown is a 6-foot-8 athletic guard who has a raw offensive game. He showed NBA scouts glimpses of power to get in the lane offensively and has the size to keep bigger players in front and decent timing when contesting shots at the rim. His 3-point jump shot is still an area of development but his upside is clear and is a player worth investing in for a year or two of development at the NBA level.
27. Miami Heat: G Wendell Moore Jr.
Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 213 pounds | Class: Junior | Duke: 13.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.4 apg
The 6-foot-6 shooting guard made strides during his three years at Duke. A five-star recruit coming out of high school, Moore Jr. was patient with his development and improved his 3-point shot and read off the pick-and-roll this past season. Moore Jr. averaged 13.4 points and 4.4 assists per game at Duke.
28. Golden State Warriors: C Walker Kessler
Ht./Wt.: 7-1, 245 pounds | Class: Sophomore | Auburn: 11.4 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 4.6 bpg
Kessler led the country in blocks (155) during his sophomore season at Auburn. The rim-running center moves well for his size at 7-foot-1 and has solid footwork off the block, pinning defenders on the block and finishing strong at the rim.
29. Memphis Grizzlies: G Dalen Terry
Ht./Wt.: 6-7, 195 pounds | Class: Sophomore | Arizona: 8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.9 apg
Terry elected to stay in the draft after not participating at the combine, outside of his agency's media day. The Grizzlies have an established backcourt with Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks and can afford to take a player like Terry, whom they can mold the next couple years as a secondary option on the young, talented team.
30. Oklahoma City Thunder: G Christian Braun
Ht./Wt.: 6-6, 218 pounds | Class: Junior | Kansas: 14.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.8 apg
Braun is a sharp-shooting two guard who is also sneaky athletic. The 6-foot-6 guard out of Kansas averaged 14.2 points and 2.8 assists per game during his junior year at Kansas and NBA teams in the late first round know exactly what type of player they’re getting in Braun — a consistent outside shooter who has a high basketball IQ.