2022 NBA Mock Draft: Version 1.0 midway through NBA season
14.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.3 blocks, 51% fg, 40% 3pt, 77% ft, 31 mpg. Pick Analysis. 27. player. Freshman, Guard. University of Kentucky (NCAA). TyTy Washington. 11
Adding to the list of teams who have to feel like they have underperformed in the 2021-2022 NBA regular season is the New York Knicks. After an underdog run to the first round of the playoffs a year ago, New York has been unable to find that success they did in 2020-2021.
Though I believe the Knicks’ situation is not a small fix, it is unlikely that the team will make any rash moves between now and the start of next season. However, adding a point guard is something that they should have done in the last two drafts. TyTy Washington has had a very solid season for the Kentucky Wildcats.
He isn’t yet considered an elite playmaker but has shown flashes of high-level distribution so far this season. He has shot the basketball from both the floor and from deep at efficient rates. His speed is also something that NBA executives should be intrigued by as well. At 6-foot-3, he won’t provide stellar size at the one, but his height shouldn’t be of too great concern. The Kemba Walker experiment clearly hasn’t worked out in New York & adding very arguably the top point guard in the draft makes all too much sense.
Sophomore, Guard. University of Wisconsin (NCAA). Johnny Davis. 149. Pick Analysis. 12. player. 22.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.7 blocks, 44% fg, 36% 3pt, 80% ft, 35 mpg
Pick via Los Angeles Clippers
This late in the lottery, Johnny Davis is a bargain for the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Wisconsin sophomore has come out of nowhere to become one of college basketball’s top scorers. Davis does a lot of his work without the basketball, able to spot up for a lot of his looks or use just a few dribbles to get to his spot. It is also worth noting that Davis is one of the better rebounders in this class, inch-per-inch.
Without a ton of ability to create for himself, lack of great size on the wing, & the fact that he is not an explosive athlete, he doesn’t necessarily project as a high-volume player in the NBA. A situation like Oklahoma City could be great for him to begin his career, coming off of the bench with essentially a green light. He will need to be paired with someone who can find him for good looks, but adding off-ball scoring can never hurt.
Kennedy Chandler. 13. player. 18. Pick Analysis. Freshman, Guard. University of Tennessee (NCAA). 13.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 2.4 steals, 0.4 blocks, 45% fg, 33% 3pt, 62% ft, 30 mpg
I am one of those who believe that Jaylen Brown & Jayson Tatum can absolutely work with one another. However, the reason Boston has been stagnant the last two seasons is that they have failed to go out and get a distributor to create looks for their scorers. Tennessee has always been hesitant to start freshmen & play them big minutes.
This was not the case with Chandler, though, who has been given the keys to run the Volunteer offense. Chandler has looked like a young point guard halfway through his freshman season, struggling a bit with the deep ball & forcing a bit too many plays, causing turnovers.
The talent is there, though, as Chandler has solid vision & is a good downhill scorer. In addition, he is probably a better three-point shooter than the numbers show. Size is not on the side of Chandler, who stands at just six feet, but he has been one of the top perimeter defenders in the SEC this season. It’s not a flashy pick for Boston, but the focus should be on making their stars work.