Who Will Be the Top Picks in the NBA 2022 Mock Draft?

As I sit here analyzing potential game-changers for the upcoming NBA season, I can't help but reflect on how international basketball experiences are shaping tomorrow's stars. The 2022 draft class presents an intriguing mix of raw talent and polished players who've cut their teeth in various leagues worldwide. Just yesterday, I was discussing with fellow analysts how players like Hollis-Jefferson—who recently practiced with the Bolts as one of their imports for the EASL according to coach Luigi Trillo—demonstrate the growing importance of global basketball exposure. This international flavor adds another layer to evaluating who might emerge as top picks.

Looking at the draft landscape, I've always been partial toward players with both athleticism and basketball IQ. Paolo Banchero stands out in my mind as someone who could immediately transform a franchise's frontcourt. At 6'10" with a wingspan measuring approximately 7 feet 1 inch, his combination of size and skill reminds me of some hybrid forwards we've seen dominate in recent years. What really catches my eye is his footwork in the post—smooth, deliberate, and surprisingly advanced for someone his age. I've watched countless hours of his Duke footage, and there's something special about how he reads double teams. He averaged 17.2 points and 7.8 rebounds last season, numbers that don't fully capture his impact on both ends of the floor.

Then there's Chet Holmgren, the unicorn prospect who's generated more debate in scouting circles than any player I've seen since Kristaps Porzingis entered the league. His slender frame worries some traditionalists, but I'm firmly in the camp that believes his unique skill set outweighs physical concerns. The kid blocked nearly 4 shots per game while shooting over 40% from three-point range—that's just absurd versatility for a seven-footer. I remember watching him during March Madness and thinking he moved like a guard trapped in a center's body. His potential to revolutionize the center position makes him arguably the highest-ceiling prospect in this draft.

Jabari Smith brings that sweet shooting stroke that every NBA team craves in today's spacing-oriented game. His release is so quick and high that it's virtually unblockable, and he connected on 42.9% of his three-point attempts at Auburn. While some scouts question his creation ability off the dribble, I see a player who understands how to move without the ball and find open spots in the defense. His defensive potential is what really excites me—with his 7'1" wingspan and lateral quickness, he could develop into an elite multi-position defender. In a league increasingly focused on switchability, that's gold.

The guard position offers its own intriguing choices. Jaden Ivey's explosive athleticism jumps off the screen every time I watch him play. His first step is among the quickest I've scouted in recent years, and he finishes at the rim with a ferocity that reminds me of a young Russell Westbrook. Though his outside shooting needs consistency—he shot around 35% from deep—his ability to collapse defenses creates opportunities for everyone. Meanwhile, Keegan Murray represents the safe bet, the kind of high-floor player who might not become a superstar but will likely enjoy a long, productive career. His 23.5 points per game at Iowa came with remarkable efficiency, and his basketball instincts are off the charts.

International prospects like Jeremy Sochan and Ousmane Dieng bring that global perspective I mentioned earlier, similar to how Hollis-Jefferson's EASL experience with the Bolts demonstrates the value of adapting to different styles of play. Sochan's defensive versatility particularly intrigues me—he can legitimately guard positions one through five, a rare commodity in any draft class. Dieng's late-season surge in the NBL showed the kind of growth trajectory that makes scouts drool. Having tracked international prospects for years, I've noticed how their professional experience often translates to quicker NBA adjustment.

As draft night approaches, I keep returning to Holmgren as my top choice, though I recognize Banchero's more immediate impact might appeal to certain teams. The beauty of this draft class lies in its diversity of skills and backgrounds, offering franchises multiple pathways to improvement. While we can analyze stats and measurables until we're blue in the face, what often separates the good picks from the great ones are the intangibles—the work ethic, basketball intelligence, and adaptability that players like Hollis-Jefferson demonstrate through their willingness to compete in leagues like the EASL. Whatever happens on draft night, one thing's certain: the future of basketball continues to become more global, more versatile, and more exciting to watch unfold.