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2022 NBA Draft: Evaluating the 1st-Round for all 30 teams

By Trevyn Gray

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: Mark Williams reacts after being drafted 15th overall by the Charlotte Hornets during the 2022 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: Mark Williams reacts after being drafted 15th overall by the Charlotte Hornets during the 2022 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images) /
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2022 NBA Draft
NEW YORK, NY, USA – JUNE 23: Jabari Smith Jr. shakes hands with NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver (L) after being selected number three overall by the Houston Rockets during the 2022 NBA Draft on June 23, 2022 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, United States. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /

2022 NBA Draft: Evaluating the 1st-Round for all 30 teams: Houston Rockets

Houston has struggled with their team since the departure of James Harden a few years ago. While they have done well with stacking their guard room, their forward room has been bleak.

Auburn’s Jabari Smith, Jr. was an obvious pick at third, given Paolo Banchero and Chet Holmgren were off the board at the time and they traded Christian Wood away to make room for Smith to take the reins at the 4-spot. He is an elite scorer and a lockdown defender, who will pair nicely with Kevin Porter, Jr. and Jalen Green.

They also drafted LSU’s Tari Eason with the 17th pick, who will provide a versatile defender for a young Houston team.

Grade: A

2022 NBA Draft: Evaluating the 1st-Round for all 30 teams: Indiana Pacers

The Pacers recently traded Domantas Sabonis away for Tyrese Haliburton, showing that they have an interest in a rebuild. They won just 25 games this year.

Indiana selected Arizona’s Benedict Mathurin with the sixth-overall pick. Mathurin is an elite wing scorer, who attempts to assert his physicality on both ends of the floor. Indiana is deep with wing players, though,  so he will have to earn his position on the team.

However, his history with leading teams to success will take him far in his race. His game is much more mature than the average rookie, even for a top-ten pick.

Grade: B

2022 NBA Draft: Evaluating the 1st-Round for all 30 teams: LA Clippers

The Clippers did not have a draft pick in the first round but will have high hopes for next season with Kawhi Leonard set to return to the court.

Grade: N/A

2022 NBA Draft: Evaluating the 1st-Round for all 30 teams: Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers did not have any picks in the first round. So, after an underwhelming 2022 campaign, the offseason will be key for the team to prosper in the upcoming season.

Grade: N/A

2022 NBA Draft: Evaluating the 1st-Round for all 30 teams: Miami Heat

Miami made the Eastern Conference Finals for the second time in three seasons, losing to the Celtics in a gritty seven-game series.

The Heat have a mostly complete roster. Their main need comes from needing another 3&D scoring wing to complement Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro or a complementary power forward. They did both at the same time by drafting Nikola Jovic from Serbia.

Grade: A-

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