2022 NBA Mock Draft: All first-round predictions, risers, fallers

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 29: NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks during the 2021 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on July 29, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 29: NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks during the 2021 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on July 29, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
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2022 NBA Mock Draft
GREENVILLE, SC – MARCH 18: Mark Williams #15 high fives AJ Griffin #21 of the Duke Blue Devils during the second half against the CSU Fullerton Titans in the first round game of the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 18, 2022 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)

2022 NBA Mock Draft: 11. AJ Griffin, New York Knicks

School: Duke

Height: 6’6″

In the 2022 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks should be searching for an offensive-minded prospect with their lottery pick. As a lethal shooter and crafty scorer, 19-year-old wing A.J. Griffin is certainly that. Griffin will be an efficient 3&D contributor with a high floor to become much more than that, which the Knicks should value.

2022 NBA Mock Draft: 12. Shaedon Sharpe, Oklahoma City Thunder

School: Kentucky

Height: 6’6″

Shaedon Sharpe is one of the trickier prospects to evaluate after not playing a single game for Kentucky this past season. The 19-year-old is a gifted scorer and shifty athlete, but his lack of experience and low motor could have him falling down draft boards. Sharpe’s draft range is still as high as fifth, given his star potential, and going 12th to the Oklahoma City Thunder will likely be the lowest he’ll go. The Thunder could also trade up to select Sharpe as there seems to be mutual interest between OKC and Sharpe’s camp.

2022 NBA Mock Draft: 13. Jeremy Sochan, Charlotte Hornets

School: Baylor

Height: 6’10”

Since the Charlotte Hornets desperately need to bolster its defense this offseason, drafting a defensive-minded asset such as Baylor’s Jeremy Sochan would be an ideal selection. Sochan is one of the best defenders in this draft with his versatility, length, and awareness. The 19-year-old forward would immediately make an impact in Charlotte on the defensive end and his offense would gradually grow alongside rising superstar LaMelo Ball.

2022 NBA Mock Draft: 14. Ochai Agbaji, Cleveland Cavaliers

School: Kansas

Height: 6’6″

Ochai Agbaji is an NBA-ready wing that can score from all angles on the court and defend at a high level. He’s already 22 years old, but the NCAA champion with Kansas would make an immediate impact on a team like the Cleveland Cavaliers that could use a boost offensively. Agbaji would naturally slide into Cleveland’s rotation as they chase postseason competition for years to come.

2022 NBA Mock Draft: 15. Mark Williams, Charlotte Hornets

School: Duke

Height: 6’10”

As the Hornets continue to pursue upgrades to the defensive corps this offseason, selecting Duke center Mark Williams would offer a reliable defensive addition to the promising squad. Charlotte could attempt to trade this pick for an established starting center such as Indiana’s Myles Turner, but expect them to take the best center available with one of their two first-round picks if they keep both of them. Mark Williams would fill a position of weakness and bring valuable rim protection with nice touch around the paint offensively for the Hornets.