2022 NBA Draft Thread
Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2022 4:13 pm
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.
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.