Quinn’s Mock for 2022 NBA Draft Lottery: Cavs add shot creation

Indiana Pacers – Keegan Murray, 5th

In my opinion, this seems like a Pacers-esque pick. A player who may not be the best player in the league someday, but is not a risky pick. Murray is already 21 years old, and will be 22 in August, so he is older than some players in this draft. Their power forward position as of now is barren, as they traded their best player Domantas Sabonis this season for Tyrese Haliburton, a great trade in my eyes. Haliburton needs some help, as I think he will be an All-Star someday, but he can’t win games all by himself, so Murray is a great pick here at 5.

Murray averaged 23.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists this now-past season for Iowa. He also won the Big Ten Tourney MVP, and was a Big Ten All-Freshman last year. Like I mentioned, their power forward position is vacant, as they started Oshae Brissett at the 4 sometimes this season. Brissett is only 23, and is a solid defender, but he can definitely be upgraded.

Portland Trail Blazers – A.J. Griffin, 6th

A.J. Griffin should go in the top 10, and is debatably the best small forward in this draft. To be honest, I was debating on Shaedon Sharpe on this pick, but I decided on Griffin. He’s only 18 years old, and will be 19 once the season rolls around. As of now, their backcourt is set for next year, being Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons. Their small forward is unknown as of now, as it could be Nassir Little, Justise Winslow, or someone else. Griffin has a lot of potential, and shot pretty well this season for Duke, with shooting splits of 49/47/79 throughout the season. He also was an ACC All-Freshman this year.

The fit is a big factor on what the Blazers would do with this pick. Maybe they pick Jalen Duren in hopes he would be the successor of Jusuf Nurkic, or maybe they take Ochai Agbaji to be a win-now player. Portland’s draft this year is going to play a huge role in not only the Blazer’s future, but also Damian Lillard’s as well. If they mess up this pick, Lillard might not want to play for Portland anymore and request out, eventually. Also, the Blazers could trade this pick to get some help for Lillard and Simons, maybe trading for an established player.

Sacramento Kings – Shaedon Sharpe, 7th

Another guard for the Kings would be 3 guards in the last 3 drafts with their lottery picks (Tyrese Haliburton, Davion Mitchell, and then Sharpe, if taken). However, Haliburton has been traded to Indiana and Mitchell isn’t really capable of playing the 2-guard, as he is only 6’0.”

Sharpe played exactly zero games and zero minutes for Kentucky this season, making him an intriguing prospect, but an unknown. But, even with his lack of collegiate play, his play in high school was spectacular, averaging 21.4 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in his final high school season. He might fall in the draft because of what happened at Kentucky, but his potential could be sky high.

The Kings want to compete next year badly, as they have the longest playoff drought in NBA history, last making the playoffs in 2006 (when I was only 2 years old). Their starting shooting guard was Jeremy Lamb at times after they traded Tyrese Haliburton. Even still, they do have Donte DiVincenzo on the roster, and could be re-signed in the offseason for about $10-$15 million per year, in my opinion. But Sharpe can be a really good player, as he is only 18 years old and was an exceptional player in high school, so Sacramento might want to take a risk on Sharpe in the draft, depending on what pick they have.

New Orleans Pelicans – Bennedict Mathurin, 8th

Currently, this pick is going to the Pelicans, but could go to the Grizzlies depending on where it lands. If it lands in the top 10, the Pelicans get it, but if it goes outside the top 10, it goes to the Grizzlies. Mathurin is a 6’7″ wing who can do a bit of everything. He scored 17.7 points per game at Arizona this season, had 5.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, and shot 36.9% from 3 as well. I heard somewhere that you can’t have too many wings, and I believe that.

Looking at their roster, they have Brandon Ingram, Herb Jones, and Trey Murphy III who can play minutes at the 3. Mathurin can also play the 2, and CJ McCollum is really the only shooting guard they have on the roster, as the other guards they have are too short to play the 2 and are more on-ball guys.

Maybe the Pels go and snag Jalen Duren, but in my opinion, he doesn’t fit the Pelicans’ team. If Zion Williamson plays next season, he will need floor spacers, so they have Devonte’ Graham, CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram, and Jonas Valanciunas to space the floor for Zion. Jaxson Hayes has been decent, but isn’t a prime floor spacer like Valanciunas is. Duren is a great rim protector, which could definitely help New Orleans, but I think Mathurin’s fit is just better for the Pels.

San Antonio Spurs – Jalen Duren, 9th

Jalen Duren was one of the best shot blockers this season at Memphis, blocking 2.1 shots per night while only picking up 2.7 fouls per night. As of now, the Spurs have Jakob Poeltl starting at center, but not a really good backup center. Zach Collins or Jock Landale are the only two other big men on the roster, neither being a part of the Spurs’ future, in my opinion. Poeltl could definitely warrant a first-round pick, being one of the most underrated players in the league. He is a great rim protector, rebounder, and rim runner for San Antonio this season. Maybe the Spurs go for a younger route in Duren over Poeltl.

I doubt the Spurs take a wing, as they already have the past two lottery picks being spent on Devin Vassell and Josh Primo, while also having Keldon Johnson on the team. In my eyes, this is the best player the Spurs can draft and the best player that fits their roster, so making this draft pick would definitely be beneficial, as Dejounte Murray would have a younger pick-and-roll partner to throw lobs to.