It was an eventful NBA draw in 2022 and many teams made good moves to get better.
Teams like Oklahoma City, Houston and Orlando made a big impression and got great prospects for the future. That said, some of the best picks were made by teams across the NBA.
Here are the top 10 picks in the 2022 NBA draft that will shake the league for a long time to come.
Detroit Pistons: Jaden Ivey, Purdue
Jaden Ivey dropped just one spot to fifth in the overall standings from where he was expected to go. If you have the . are Detroit pistonsHowever, you should be glad the former Purdue Boilermaker fell on your lap. Ivey is a tougher prospect due to his size. He’s in between guard positions, so he’s a little underpowered as a shooting guard, but he’ll most likely run the point.
The thing that is so good about Ivey is his burst of speed and ability to attack the rim. He needs to become a better facilitator and get stronger to finish against bigger players, but he has so many advantages. The sky is the limit for this kid, and he’s written All-Star on him. Definitely a great pickup for the Pistons.
Portland Trail Blazers: Shaedon Sharpe, Kentucky
Sharp is one of the most intriguing prospects in all of design. He was elected seventh overall by the Portland Trailblazers, but he was a big wild card because he never qualified in Kentucky. This was my sample of the design, and it wouldn’t have come as a surprise to see him go for Jaden Ivey.
Sharp has all the tools to become a star in this league. His size and frame are perfect for a small attacker and his overall ability to create space makes him a dynamic attacking player. His 7-foot wingspan also gives him plenty of height to potentially become an elite defender as well. This was design stealing and Portland got a phenomenal player.
Washington Wizards: Johnny Davis, Wisconsin
The Washington Wizards made a pretty big splash in 10th overall, selecting Wisconsin’s Johnny Davis. Bradley Beal finally has some help on the offensive end and Davis is the perfect man to lift the immense burden off Beal’s shoulders.
Davis is a fantastic goalscorer at all three levels, and he was the most improved player in college basketball last season. His work ethic and dedication to the game certainly help this Wizards team. He’s another man who hasn’t shown his full potential and is a really great pickup who has the potential to become an All-Star.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Ousmane Dieng, NZ Breakers (NBL)
Originally picked by the Knicks, the pick was then traded to the Thunder for future choices in the first round. This was a fantastic move by the Thunder. Dieng may not have much film about him, but he has great All-Star upside skills. Sam Presti clearly thought he would spend three of his picks in the first round to get a hold of him.
His unique skills come from playing point guard for a long time. He has a 6-foot-10 frame, while also possessing guard skills, which makes him stand out and stand out offensively. Its versatility will also be a great addition to the Thunder, even if it’s a bit of a project. The Thunder is in it for the long haul and this design is where the turnaround will begin.
For more coverage of the Thunder, visit Thunder Wire
Cleveland Cavaliers: Ochai Agbaji, Kansas
The Cleveland Cavaliers definitely achieve something big here by drafting Agbaji at the age of 14. The Cavs were desperate for another wing piece that could help give the floor space and then be a lockdown defender on the other side. The Kansas 6-foot-6 wing fits that 3-and-D shape on a T and he was one of the best marksmen in the entire draft class.
This move helps Darius Garland and when he returns, Collin Sexton too. Agbaji doesn’t have the same advantage as many players in the draft, but he is invaluable and one of the best role players in the draft. This is exactly what the Cavs needed and when he plays he could be the first man to really take his team to the next level.
Atlanta Hawks: AJ Griffin, Duke
Another of the best shooters in the draft, Griffin, adds a lot to this Atlanta Hawks team. He shot 45% from three last year at Duke and he adds another great free player to Trae Young and DeAndre Hunter. He has all the physical attributes to become a great 3-and-D player.
The 3-point attack for the Hawks is now becoming elite, with Kevin Huerter and Young both phenomenal shooters of range. In addition, he is also one of the youngest prospects in this draft, so the sky is the limit for him, and he can develop in this very fearsome Hawks team.
Chicago Bulls: Dalen Terry, Arizona
The 2022 NBA draft was all about versatility. Almost every team got a man who was versatile, in this design. The 6-foot-7 Terry is the definition of versatility. He can play in many different positions and do just about anything the team needs to win.
The fact that he was chosen 18th in the draft gives the Chicago Bulls real value in the choice and they are sure to get a glue man who will be great for them in the future. The energy Terry plays with is his greatest strength. That kind of energy can be infectious and really gives the Bulls an active defender on the wings who can guard multiple positions. Overall a great pick for the Bulls and definitely a man who can stand out for the team
San Antonio Spurs: Malaki Branham, Ohio State
Another choice that was of great value was the ? San Antonio Spurs selecting Branham 20th overall. The potential lottery pick fell all the way to the 20th and it was way too good to pass up for the Spurs. The 19-year-old from Ohio still has a lot to learn, but his advantage is through the roof. His six-foot wingspan is very good as a guard and he has all the potential to become a great player.
What stood out, however, was his way of playing and his ability to attack with the ball in his hands. He continued to grow and develop offensively as the season progressed and he added more things to his arsenal. All this combined, this was a great choice from the Spurs, and they added another player with tremendous offensive skills.
Houston Rockets: Ty Ty Washington, Kentucky
This pick will remain with the Grizzlies for now, but a trade, once completed, will send him to . send Houston† Anyway, he’s one of the steals of the design. The freshman’s star was not the first Kentucky Wildcat to slip into the draft, see Immanuel Quickley and Tyrese Maxey.
The Rockets get fantastic value on the 29th pick with Washington. His size gives him a good ability to play multiple guard positions, and his pick and roll cunning makes him a great guard in the NBA. Overall a great pick up, especially on the late first lap.
For more coverage of the Rockets, visit Rockets Wire
New Orleans Pelicans: EJ Liddell, Ohio State
Perhaps the surprise of the design, Liddell fell much further than anyone could have imagined. The Ohio state great man fell all the way to 41 before the… pelicans grabbed him. It’s easy to see why it has fallen so far, but it has a lot of potential and could be a very valuable piece. Ironically, the same thing happened to Paul Millsap, who was elected 47th in 2006. He is very similar to Liddell and has had a very good career in the NBA.
Liddell has a great length with a wingspan of almost 7 feet. He has an all round skill that could really help this Pelican squad that needs a little more depth. Liddell must immediately fit in and be able to contribute immediately. This was a great choice by the pelicans and many people missed out on a potentially valuable piece.
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