2022 NBA Draft Thread

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

The NBA trade deadline has come and passed with the Minnesota Timberwolves choosing not to make any trades, which means that they retain all of their future draft picks moving forward. Now that we're at the All-Star break, and have some downtime from regular season action, I thought that this would be an opportune time to get the annual draft thread going and engage in some discussion.

The top of this year's class appears to be Chet Holmgren, Jaden Ivey, Jabari Smith, and Paolo Banchero. Those are the names constantly talked about in the race for the first overall pick.

Minnesota won't be picking high enough to engage in much discussion about those young players, but I've begun making a list of prospects that could fall anywhere from 5-20 that I really like, which is an expected range for the Timberwolves to draft if they keep their pick. Some of those names include the following:

- G/F Bennedict Mathurin (6'7", 195-pounds), Arizona
Three-level scorer with imposing physical tools and ability. NBA-ready perimeter shot with range. Very dangerous in transition. Improving facilitator in the half-court. Adequate wing defender with room to grow on that end of the floor. Shot selection could be better, but not much to dislike here.

- F Keegan Murray (6'8", 215-pounds), Iowa
Physical combo-forward who can cause matchup problems on the interior as well as the perimeter. Very strong with the basketball and gets to his spots comfortably; rarely gets pushed around defensively. Versatile enough to defend multiple positions.

- G/F Julian Strawther (6'7", 205-pounds), Gonzaga
Pure shooter from the wing with high-level finishing ability. Very slippery without the basketball and thrives in the open court. Plays uptempo and possesses above average size at the wing. Projects to be an efficient role player at the next level. Shot creation and disruption on defense have held him back to this point.

- C Walker Kessler (7'1", 245-pounds), Auburn
Best rim-protector in this class by far with exceptional discipline on defense. Absurdly high block rate even at the collegiate level. Alters shots in the paint without selling out. Mobile for a big, but not necessarily fluid. Elite-level roll man and converts opportunities near the rim with authority. Adequate rebounder for his position. Integral piece to one of the nation's top teams this year. Developing perimeter shot that could help stretch the floor, although still unreliable in this regard.

- G Michael Devoe (6'5", 197-pounds), Georgia Tech
Left-handed combo-guard with a smooth and polished offensive game. Plays with great patience and operates well in small spaces. Very crafty handle. Quality perimeter shooter with NBA-range; capable in catch-and-shoot as well as off the bounce. Good size at his position allows him to matchup with either guard spot. Productive four-year starter in the ACC. Likely overlooked in this class because he turned 22-years old in December.

- F Justin Lewis (6'7", 235-pounds), Marquette
Modern four with an NBA-ready body. Uses every bit of his wide frame and reported 7'0" wingspan to make his presence felt defensively and on the glass. Moves well laterally and should be able to slide with NBA forwards, but doesn't project to play much at the wing. Significantly-improved shooter from the perimeter and free throw line on legitimate volume compared to his freshman season. Needs to improve as a finisher against length on the interior. Baltimore kid with good character. Willing to adapt to whatever role is asked of him.

- G/F Johnny Juzang (6'6", 210-pounds), UCLA
Shot-maker at the wing with great size. Possesses clean shot mechanics. Very capable shooter from behind the three-point line. Dangerous pulling up from mid-range. Loves to get to the elbows and rise up. Moves well without the basketball -- working the perimeter or cutting to the hoop. Plays below the rim and is limited as a finisher. Doesn't always get all the way to the rim instead relying on floaters/runners. Competes defensively, but will struggle against quicker wings.

[RUN138 [enjin:9186519]]

Many people know me as chinese zodiac man: I use these zodiac to analyze my data or any given person base on their birthday and their lucky number for example Karl or magic Johnson is 5 = 32 = 3+2. For Basic rule of chinese zodiac google "wiki chinese zodiac".

These players have a similar superstar zodiac. Here's my 5 potent players out of my 20 people in 2022 mock draft:

Bryce McGowens and Julian Strawther are born day dragon example they will out work opponent to find a way to win like tom brady, Step curry, Klay T, Dray Green (warriors dynasty), Billup, John collins, Bradley beal, Gersson Rosas (2021 year of ox and dragon opposite bad luck got fired), Patrick Beverley,etc...

Ousmane Dieng has three great combinations like Jimmy Butler, Damian, Fred VanVleet , kyle lowry

Patrick Baldwin and Justin Powell have pair secret zodiac like Nikola jokic, Giannis, CJ mccollum, Embid, Kawhi, Kyrie, Derozan, Durant, Luka, lamelo, etc

[TheFuture]

Many people know me as chinese zodiac man: I use these zodiac to analyze my data or any given person base on their birthday and their lucky number for example Karl or magic Johnson is 5 = 32 = 3+2. For Basic rule of chinese zodiac google "wiki chinese zodiac".

These players have a similar superstar zodiac. Here's my 5 potent players out of my 20 people in 2022 mock draft:

Bryce McGowens and Julian Strawther are born day dragon example they will out work opponent to find a way to win like tom brady, Step curry, Klay T, Dray Green (warriors dynasty), Billup, John collins, Bradley beal, Gersson Rosas (2021 year of ox and dragon opposite bad luck got fired), Patrick Beverley,etc...

Ousmane Dieng has three great combinations like Jimmy Butler, Damian, Fred VanVleet , kyle lowry

Patrick Baldwin and Justin Powell have pair secret zodiac like Nikola jokic, Giannis, CJ mccollum, Embid, Kawhi, Kyrie, Derozan, Durant, Luka, lamelo, etc

I do not know what the hell this is that you keep doing, but it is interesting, and far from the norm. Weirdly interesting to see, but who knows, maybe it shows to be proven.

[RUN138 [enjin:9186519]]

Many people know me as chinese zodiac man: I use these zodiac to analyze my data or any given person base on their birthday and their lucky number for example Karl or magic Johnson is 5 = 32 = 3+2. For Basic rule of chinese zodiac google "wiki chinese zodiac".

These players have a similar superstar zodiac. Here's my 5 potent players out of my 20 people in 2022 mock draft:

Bryce McGowens and Julian Strawther are born day dragon example they will out work opponent to find a way to win like tom brady, Step curry, Klay T, Dray Green (warriors dynasty), Billup, John collins, Bradley beal, Gersson Rosas (2021 year of ox and dragon opposite bad luck got fired), Patrick Beverley,etc...

Ousmane Dieng has three great combinations like Jimmy Butler, Damian, Fred VanVleet , kyle lowry

Patrick Baldwin and Justin Powell have pair secret zodiac like Nikola jokic, Giannis, CJ mccollum, Embid, Kawhi, Kyrie, Derozan, Durant, Luka, lamelo, etc

I do not know what the hell this is that you keep doing, but it is interesting, and far from the norm. Weirdly interesting to see, but who knows, maybe it shows to be proven.

I know everyone is skeptical until that person understanding this language (chinese zodiac) I don't have to prove for anything but the point is if you know first hand then would you drafting (married or divorce) Stephan Curry rather Flynn and Rubio because David Kahn(match with Flynn) had opposite zodiac with curry and he didn't like curry. Kevin Mchale like Randy Foye rather brandon roy (pair secret zodiac). Same as Rosa and Ryan saunder jr. (match Culver) wanted to draft Jarrett Culver instead with Coby White (Coby has similar zodiac with Curry, BIllup, and Patrick Beverley double dragons that's very good). I will bet anyone that Coby White will win something before all said and done!

[Q-is-here]

Good rundown Cam. You can find some damn good players in our draft slot. I haven't watched much college ball this year, so I can't really comment on the guys you mention. I am not opposed to drafting an upperclassman that may be more NBA-ready than a raw prospect with upside potential. I'm assuming Okogie won't be back, so finding a hybrid 3/4 would be good.

[TheFuture]

I am all in for one of Murray, Strawther, or Kessler.

Also, Fuck Malik Beasley.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Good rundown Cam. You can find some damn good players in our draft slot. I haven't watched much college ball this year, so I can't really comment on the guys you mention. I am not opposed to drafting an upperclassman that may be more NBA-ready than a raw prospect with upside potential. I'm assuming Okogie won't be back, so finding a hybrid 3/4 would be good.

Agreed on all points, Q. I don't think Minnesota's front office needs to hit a home run with this pick, assuming they don't trade it on draft night, but they also can't afford to miss. They should be looking at surer things versus long-term projects, in my opinion. Ideally, they find a prospect that presents NBA-ready ability with tools that tease at further upside. Obviously, those prospects aren't always easy to come across.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I am all in for one of Murray, Strawther, or Kessler.

Also, Fuck Malik Beasley.

Depending on where Minnesota ends up in the draft order, any one of those three would be a very good addition to this roster.

[Q-is-here]

Good rundown Cam. You can find some damn good players in our draft slot. I haven't watched much college ball this year, so I can't really comment on the guys you mention. I am not opposed to drafting an upperclassman that may be more NBA-ready than a raw prospect with upside potential. I'm assuming Okogie won't be back, so finding a hybrid 3/4 would be good.

Agreed on all points, Q. I don't think Minnesota's front office needs to hit a home run with this pick, assuming they don't trade it on draft night, but they also can't afford to miss. They should be looking at surer things versus long-term projects, in my opinion. Ideally, they find a prospect that presents NBA-ready ability with tools that tease at further upside. Obviously, those prospects aren't always easy to come across.

Yet what's interesting is that sometimes the high floor guy ends up having a higher ceiling than anticipated. Look at Desmond Bane as Exhibit A. He's become a key pillar of that Memphis team and is a legit starting SG in this league.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Good rundown Cam. You can find some damn good players in our draft slot. I haven't watched much college ball this year, so I can't really comment on the guys you mention. I am not opposed to drafting an upperclassman that may be more NBA-ready than a raw prospect with upside potential. I'm assuming Okogie won't be back, so finding a hybrid 3/4 would be good.

Agreed on all points, Q. I don't think Minnesota's front office needs to hit a home run with this pick, assuming they don't trade it on draft night, but they also can't afford to miss. They should be looking at surer things versus long-term projects, in my opinion. Ideally, they find a prospect that presents NBA-ready ability with tools that tease at further upside. Obviously, those prospects aren't always easy to come across.

Yet what's interesting is that sometimes the high floor guy ends up having a higher ceiling than anticipated. Look at Desmond Bane as Exhibit A. He's become a key pillar of that Memphis team and is a legit starting SG in this league.

Anything is possible -- joke intended -- when a player has a reliable perimeter shot to build off of, in my opinion. From there they can develop a couple primary moves and counters and you have the makings of a pretty damn good player.

Speaking of Desmond Bane, wouldn't he have been much more useful than Leandro Bolmaro? Some of us here, including myself, liked him just outside of the lottery. Oh the what-if's that come with this organization.