Pippen Ain’t Easy’s 2022 NBA Mock Draft: Final two-round forecast

Jalen Duren is probably the singular most impressive athletic specimen in this draft. The things he can do at his young age are oftentimes hard to even believe. Duren terrorized opposing offenses with his stifling defensive play and dominance on the glass all year long at Memphis. His potential is sky-high and it would not surprise me at all if he became a top 3 player from this draft class.

But he is not that player yet. His offensive package is extremely raw and limited. He’s a burgeoning bundle of talent that’s going to need to be coached up and guided closely in order to develop properly. If any team can do that, it’s the Spurs. Duren’s shown flashes of a mid-range game, surprisingly competent playmaking ability, and elite defensive ability.

If he can make the most of those talents, Duren could very well become the next Bam Adebayo. That’s fantastic value here at the ninth spot.

While I’ll try my best to be impartial here, I’ve got to be honest with you⁠—Johnny Davis is my favorite prospect in the 2022 NBA Draft. He averaged 19.7 points and 8.2 rebounds per game as a sophomore at Wisconsin and is possibly the best point of attack perimeter defender in this entire draft. He also famously outclassed Jaden Ivey in a duel that saw Davis drop 37 points and 14 points rebounds during a win over Purdue.

Although he is my favorite prospect to watch, by no is means he the best recruit among the bunch. There are obvious flaws in his game that he’ll need to address if he wants to find success at the next level. It’s unacceptable for a shooting guard to make only 30.6% of his three-pointers in this day and age in the NBA. His playmaking as a secondary creator also leaves a lot to be desired.

However, I do think a great many of his deficiencies can be attributed to his supporting cast at Wisconsin and they’ll work themselves out on a team like that Wizards where Bradley Beal can attract the defense’s attention. His playstyle reminds me of a smaller version of Jimmy Butler, and I believe whatever team drafts Davis will be very happy with their decision.