2022 NBA Draft: First KJG Mock of year for the first round

Even with it not being such a huge topic of discussion for most Cleveland Cavaliers fans right now, it’s hard to believe that the 2022 NBA Draft is only about six-and-a-half months away on July 29. However, this year unlike last, we are seeing a couple of players vying to be the top pick in the July draft.

Paulo Banchero from Duke is an extremely talented forward/wing who can light it up from anywhere on the court, and his defensive effort shows promise in that department. Along with Banchero, Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren could very well be the first overall pick. The only real questions surrounding the 7-footer is that he needs to add more muscle and put on weight to be able to be physical in the the low post. Finally, the biggest riser on my draft board, Jabari Smith, is another player who will likely go either first, second or third in this summer’s draft.

While the top spot will more than likely be one of the three players I just mentioned, it’s also time to look to see how deep this class really is and of course look at their scouting report.

Following the big three in the draft are a lot of talented players, who just haven’t reached their max potential quite yet. Jaden Ivey out of Purdue pretty much does it all for the Boilermakers. The only thing he needed to improve upon coming into the season was his three-point shooting. Well, he clearly listened as this year he’s shooting nearly 44 percent from beyond the arc.

Other guys like Jalen Duren, Jaden Hardy, and even Patrick Baldwin Jr. are players that look to have high ceilings as well.

So while there are a lot of familiar names that should be taken in next year’s draft, the big three at the top are almost certainly going to be top three picks. Let’s take a look at my first edition of the 2022 NBA Mock Draft, with the first round being our focus here.