Echoing what ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reported last month, Jeremy Woo of SI.com says the “general expectation” around the league is that Jabari Smith is the favorite to be picked first overall by the Magic in the 2022 NBA draft. Woo notes that Orlando is doing its due diligence on several prospects at the top of this year’s draft class, but his “gut feeling” is that the team will ultimately land on Smith.
Woo’s latest mock draft for SI.com includes several other interesting tidbits. Here are a few highlights:
- Keegan Murray and Jaden Ivey are the two prospects most frequently linked to the Pacers by rival teams, though it’s unclear if either of them will still be available when Indiana picks at No. 6, Woo writes, adding that No. 6 appears to be Murray’s floor.
- Shaedon Sharpe earned some buzz at last month’s draft combine, but “some of that excitement has turned to trepidation” since teams left Chicago, according to Woo who suggests that Sharpe’s individual workouts will go a long way toward determining how he’s regarded by lottery teams.
- Woo has heard that Serbian wing Nikola Jovic would like to come to the NBA right away, so he won’t necessarily be a draft-and-stash pick.
- Some people around the NBA believe the Thunder may look to package their No. 12 pick and a future pick or two to acquire a second top-10 selection, says Woo. Oklahoma City also controls the second overall pick.
- Rival teams believe the Knicks will likely target a point guard or a big man at No. 11, per Woo, who believes it’s possible both Mark Williams and Jalen Duren will be available at that spot. TyTy Washington‘s name has also come up in Woo’s conversations as a player to watch at No. 11.Washington worked out on Monday for the Knicks and told reporters, including Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link) that he also workouts on tap with the Pelicans (No. 8), Spurs (No. 9), Wizards (No. 10), and Cavaliers (No. 14).
Give me Braun at 23. 6ft 7in can shoot, highly athletic and could be a solid 3 and D fit in Philly
There’s def gonna be better guys available at 23
Excellent, Braun is a stud, 3 & D, can create his own shot, plus he is a winner… would fit well on all 30 teams….
Braun might fall a little short in each of the 3 and D departments. But he’s a guy that will almost certainly be a rotation guy right away. Really good combination of physicality/ energy and basketball IQ/ across the board BB skills. A fine pick at #23 for PHI.
Continuing the FIBA vibe (if u fw basketball check out the FIBA Americas U18 tournament this week)… this right here was a great game. USA vs France for the U19 World final. USA had lost to Canada in the semis in the previous U19 (2019) bc of a historic effort by RJ Barrett (still the best game he’s ever played). In the 2021 final they were up against another extraordinary talent in Vic Wembanyama. Wembanyama outplayed Chet big time & pretty much dominated the paint every second he was on the floor. Jaden Ivey, Mike Miles & Kenneth Lofton Jr were probably the best players on the American team… link to m.youtube.com
Rival teams? Didn’t those guys already trade our pick to shed some salary we could care less about? Knicks are trying to trade up, which is always tough, but there are at least some teams that are reportedly willing to trade down. #11 is not a great spot in this particular draft, but the FO needs maximize it. If they can’t, they’d likely be better off trading down. It worked well last year, and the risk-reward is similar this time.
Agreed DXC. There are a few teams looking to trade down, but the Knicks should also trade down from 11 if it can’t be maximized. As for the roster, trade as many of the 6 vets possible, clear up space for the youngins. Other than that, the Mitch situation is the other thing to worry abt. Randle, Fournier & Thibs are staying put, for better or worse.
Williams is not worth #11 to us. Rather have Duren (only if Mitch is traded). I doubt Spurs pass on Duren. He should be gone. TyTy had it rough after the ankle injury. Did not look well at times. But if you watch all his games. There is plenty of talent. Reminds me of Garland. And is bigger. He is a true PG in NBA. Has a great handle and plays under control. Gets his shot easy. I’ve grown to like him. At 11 I would be very happy with him. But if we draft him. Then we have to move Quickley.
I think the Knicks could trade down from 11 and still get Ty Ty
Wizards might take him. Griffin falls Knicks not passing on him.
Mathurin, Dyson, Murray, Duren, Sharpe, Davis, Griffin should all go after top 4. That leaves one of them at #11 imo. It’s probably Davis or Griffin. TyTy could go #10. I take TyTy over Davis or Duren.
Knicks are going to take some random player that no one predicted and they will fall on their face and add nothing to this year’s team, just like all of their draft picks.
Right on Q ….. the act
Knicks from drafts past….Phil Jackson pick, Frank from France? past year on Dallas… or years ago Frederick Weiss, center, from France, #1 pick who wouldn’t board the scheduled flight to USA. Yes, Knicks have a history… Kenny Sky Walker, Bernard King had a good laugh at that pick…
Jovic will move up draft. Won’t last till 20. He’s going to be a nice stretch 4 eventually.
I agree. He’s got a nasty streak like jokic. I think he’s top ten talent wise. I see a more aggressive Mario hezonja.
Jovic is gonna really surprise many folks, many teams will regret passing on him!
The Pacers better not trade down.