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

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 23: Dyson Daniels looks on after being drafted 8th overall by the New Orleans Pelicans 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

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

Memphis took a huge jump this past season as they ended with the second seed in the Western Conference as a complete team. Even without their best player, Ja Morant, they went 20-2, which shows the depth of this Grizzlies team.

The Grizzlies don’t have many holes, so the best available player would be the best pick for this team. They traded for Minnesota’s 19th draft pick, Jake LaRavia from Wake Forest, who has the tools to be an NBA-level forward. He makes open threes, plays defense, and has the playmaking skills of a wing.

Memphis acquired Danny Green and the draft rights to scoring wing David Roddy from the 76ers.

They also drafted TyTy Washington, a pick-and-roll scoring guard from Kentucky.

Grade: B+

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

With Khris Middleton going down in the playoffs, the Bucks failed to repeat as NBA champions this year as they lost to the Celtics in seven games in the second round. Even so, there aren’t many holes on their roster.

Milwaukee needed a playmaking guard as a backup for Jrue Holiday. They drafted G League Ignite’s MarJon Beauchamp with the 24th pick. Beauchamp is a defensive-minded guard who scores well off the ball.

Grade: A-

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

Minnesota beat all the odds and made the Western Conference Playoffs this season through the Play-In Tournament. Although they lost in the first round to the Grizzlies, they showed flashes of a bright future behind Karl Anthony-Towns, D’Angelo Russell, and Anthony Edwards.

They acquired Auburn’s Walker Kessler, who was drafted by the Grizzlies with the 22nd pick. Kessler is an elite shot-blocker with a 7’1 frame. However, he will be competing for minutes on the court with starter Anthony-Towns and young backup Naz Reid.

Minnesota also acquired the draft rights to Duke’s Wendell Moore Jr, who projects as a spot-up shooter for the T-Wolves due to his improved shooting capabilities.

Grade: B

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

New Orleans showed that they will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come with their late-season run to make the playoffs and their dogfight against the first-seeded Phoenix Suns in the first round. Their Big 3 of Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, and Zion Williamson has the potential to dominate the league

The Pelicans needed another large guard who can defend, and they selected G League Ignite’s Dyson Daniels who does just that. Not much more to say than that. Great low-risk pick.

Grade: A+

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

The Knicks took a step backward from the previous season, as they went from a playoff team to one of the worst and most inconsistent teams in the Eastern Conference.

They traded the 11th pick in the draft to the Thunder for a package that includes a number of future first-round picks and helped facilitate a deal between the Hornets and Pistons, shipping out Kemba Walker. They ended up with no new first-round rookies.

Grade: B-

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