2022 NBA Draft: Results, Analysis, and Predictions

The Draft is in the Books

The 2022 NBA Draft has come and gone, and there's no shortage of storylines to unpack. With a highly talented crop of prospects, the draft was full of surprises and intrigue. In this article, we'll break down the results of the draft and provide instant analysis, as well as our thoughts on how the draft will impact the league in the years to come.

Instant Analysis

The top three picks in the draft were largely expected, with Paolo Banchero going to the Orlando Magic, Chet Holmgren to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Jabari Smith Jr. to the Houston Rockets. However, there were a few surprises in the lottery, with the Sacramento Kings selecting Keegan Murray at No. 4 and the Indiana Pacers taking Bennedict Mathurin at No. 6.

Surprising Picks

One of the biggest surprises of the draft was the Detroit Pistons selecting Jaden Ivey at No. 5. Ivey was widely projected to go in the top three, but he fell to Detroit after Banchero, Holmgren, Smith, and Murray were all selected. Ivey is a dynamic guard who could be a star in the NBA, so it will be interesting to see how he develops in Detroit.

Another surprising pick was the Cleveland Cavaliers selecting Evan Mobley at No. 3. Mobley was projected to go in the top two, but he fell to Cleveland after the Magic and Thunder selected Banchero and Holmgren. Mobley is a versatile big man who could be a key piece for the Cavaliers moving forward.

Overall Thoughts

The 2022 NBA Draft was a success, with a number of talented players being selected. The top three picks all have the potential to be stars, and there were a number of other players selected in the lottery who could make an impact in the NBA. It will be interesting to see how these players develop in the years to come, and how they impact the NBA landscape.