2022 NBA Draft: First KJG Mock of year for the first round
Picks 6-10
#6. Portland Trail Blazers: Johnny Davis, Guard/Wing, Wisconsin
We just got done talking about a Big Ten player going in the top five, well it’s possible they have two, with the way Davis has been playing of late. I am absolutely buying Davis at the next level. He’s taken a huge leap in his game, and can score now from all over. His three-point shooting is still a work in progress, but it can be good at times. Overall, Davis looks like an NBA player.
He has the 6-foot-5 frame to go along with his sharp ball-handling, and tough shot-making. If anything, Davis will give Blazers fans a lot to be happy about with the futures of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum in the balance.
#7. Indiana Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin, Guard/Wing, Arizona
Last year the Pacers looked to the Pac-12 to find their 2021 draft pick, Chris Duarte. Duarte is an offensive weapon but his age and defensive ability are causes for concern. Well, the Pacers head back to the Pac-12 to grab another NBA-ready player in Arizona’s Bennedict Mathurin. The sophomore has five games this year of 25 points or more, so he can definitely fill it up. On top of that his game will translate very well to the NBA.
His off-ball movement, ball-handling, and overall athleticism are easily translated to the NBA. He needs to improve on his pull-up game and mid-range shooting. If he can improve those two traits, the Pacers will be getting a steal at 7.
#8. San Antonio Spurs: AJ Griffin, Wing, Duke
We haven’t really gotten to see Griffin a ton this season. After suffering a knee injury that sidelined him for his entire junior season in high school, he hasn’t played much full court basketball. However, he’s still a lottery talent, even if we don’t see him a lot for the rest of the year. Currently he’s playing 15 minutes per game for the Blue Devils.
His shooting is looking great early, connecting on over 53 percent of his field goals, including 44 percent from three. His 6-foot-6 frame and athleticism will translate well to the NBA, and the Spurs could use a wing threat to go with Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, Lonnie Walker Jr. and last year’s first round pick, Josh Primo. The Spurs are building a formidable young backcourt, and Griffin would be a great plug-and-play at the wing position.
#9. Sacramento Kings: Kendall Brown, Wing, Baylor
Brown is a hard player to evaluate. He’s a key cog in Baylor’s recently undefeated team, but he’s hit or miss offensively. The Kings should be looking to better their defense, and that will start with selecting Brown.
He has an NBA-ready body and frame, and his athleticism is the best in the class. On offense he can score from all over when he’s on, but his explosiveness is what has scouts drooling. He’s made 27 dunks in just 13 games. How’s that for exciting?
#10. Minnesota Timberwolves: Patrick Baldwin Jr., Wing/Forward, UW-Milwaukee
If you haven’t heard of Baldwin Jr. yet, I don’t really blame you. The elite 6-foot-9 wing shooter is playing his college ball this season in the Horizon League for his dad, who’s the head coach at UW-Milwaukee. The team is struggling this season thus far, but Baldwin is the real deal.
He has had a rough patch to start the season, averaging only 13 points per game, and shooting miserably from three (31 percent). But, if you just watch the young man play, his shooting will translate. If you add Baldwin Jr. to a starting lineup with Karl Anthony-Towns, D’Angelo Russell, and Anthony Edwards, you have a playoff-contending team in the Western Conference.