2022 NSL Draft � Results and thoughts

 

Every year we clamber to get at some picks to have a crack at hitting that lottery that the guy we take in the draft becomes the next big thing. There�s the guys that are expected to be these types, up the top, the ones that creep up from no where during the NBA draft process, and the ones that we decide we like better than the NBA teams did�or did they? Who knows what back door deals they had done with the plethora of �undrafted� guys that instantly sign 2way deals and such after the draft.

Here's how our draft went and my thoughts on each pick.

 

Pick 1 � Chet Holmgren - A

We didn�t have to wait long to see our draft differ from the NBA�if fact, we never got off the mark! Chet went #1 here and while you might not like it, it�s easy to see why when you consider our format. For the record, I believe Paolo is the best player in this draft by a long way, but Chet in 2k is going to be probably right up there, if not better than Paolo, at least to start, simply because size and length and skillset. Think Zinger from 2 years ago before 2k caught up to him. So while I take Paolo #1 if I was here, you can totally see the thinking by Wiz.

 

Pick 2 � Paolo Banchero � A+

The Spurs moved Jimmy Butler to get here, but you have to be happy trading into the #2 spot and then being after to draft the consensus best player in the draft. Banchero looks like the real deal, 100%, but he�s gone #2 here because he projects to be maybe less of a 2k guy than what Chet projects. I personally don�t think this will be an issue. Chris Webber anyone? Hence why I grade this higher than #1. Of course, we now know more about where Paolo will be actually suiting up next year.

 

Pick 3 � Jaden Ivey � A+

The Jazz had to settle for pick 3, but that doesn�t mean they were slouching. Of course, the two best fits for the squad were #1 and #2, but you can�t look past Jaden Ivey at #3 when he looks a lot like and projects to be Ja Morant. I love this pick, despite the �clash� with Giddey, as he has far fewer question marks to his name in my eyes and he�s going to be a 2k JET regardless. Jabari Smith was probably not far off the mark, too, but they do have Vassell, Wagner, Duarte and Bogdanovic (with Coffey and Marshall) already on the wing.

 

Pick 4 � Jabari Smith II � A+

Jabari was once considered the #1 man in this draft, and he may yet prove to be, but he definitely saw his stock slip a tad as others rose. However, he�s the clear best guy left at 4 in my opinion which makes this another A+ grade. Smith has all the size, skill and athletic ability to make him a nightmare 2k guy for years if he can silence the critics. He joins a heavy wing rotation in Indiana, but he is the future.

 

Pick 5 � Keegan Murray � A+

The Lakers made this pick, but it wasn�t chosen for them. OKC made a deal sending KP over to LA for Pick 5, with other pieces around. Personally, I think Pick for 5 KP is a steal in itself so that plays into this grade also. Murray has question marks about his athleticism but those have been quashed in Summer League by how good he has looked. He looks like a great wing and OKC might just get a similar production out of Murray that they might have out of KP, at a fraction of the cost and likely a lot healthier too.

 

Pick 6 � Shaedon Sharpe � A

Sharpe is an upside swing for sure and probably the 1^st pick in this draft that also carries a chunk of bust potential. That�s not to say that it�s a bad pick, by pick 6 you have to start thinking, moving and shaking, and risking. Sharpe is loved by his GM and is already signed to prove it and could well be an absolute elite player for years.

 

Pick 7 � Benedict Mathurin � A

I actually had trouble grading this pick because I am not quite sure who it was being picked for, given the latest trade news. But, if it was the Spurs they slid on in and replaced Jimmy�s exit with a smooth and ready wing operator to fit nicely with Banchero, and the eventual James Harden addition. Of course, maybe this was always a Clippers pick and the analysis is lost in the ether. Regardless, Mathurin looks in Summer League like he could have gone higher even!

 

Pick 8 � Dyson Daniels � B+

Don�t get me wrong, I love Daniels and he in my opinion is most likely the best guy on the board here for mine, but there�s two other aspects to this one. The Jazz need a big man or two, and they could well have taken Duren here. Plus, they moved Rui Hachimura, 2x Future 1sts (they do project late, but anything can happen in 3 years) and 3x 2nds including Pick 36 (David Roddy) and Pick 47 (Scotty Pippen Jr). That�s a lot of weight on the shoulders of Dyson now even though he does look great. Mind you, we could just as well be looking back at this in a couple years and going �Wow Utah!�.

 

Pick 9 � Jalen Duren � A

Duren was the Miami guy all along, to my understanding, and he really does look great down low in that Miami line up who were pretty well set everywhere else and will be once again competing for those playoff spots (assuming Simmons can get his head around doing what he�s paid for�). Duren is huge. Athletic. Young. Long. Pete�s mentality in a nutshell and he�s going to fit in perfectly.

 

Pick 10 � Mark Williams � A

This pick was being made for the Dallas mavericks after an agreement to trade Brandon Ingram and the Mavs really hit their biggest need on the head here. They were looking at Bobby Portis and Cam Johnson as the big men�so to add Williams is absolutely perfect. Is he the best guy left on the board? I personally think not, only because I like someone else more, but you can�t fault filling your biggest need with the highest pick you own.

 

Pick 11 � Johnny Davis � B+

Davis was a riser through the year after coming from no where to lottery prospect but the jury is still out on him for sure, particularly his upside. He�s a streaky shooter and seems to be someone who will struggle to put up larger scoring numbers but has good size and length for the 2 guard spot. I personally don�t love this pick and probably wouldn�t have been considering him at this spot at all, which is why I dip the grade, but this could very well be an A+ to different eyes. How does he fit in Boston? He doesn�t really. Dort, Porter, Primo, Moody is a long way back.

 

Pick 12 � Jeremy Sochan � A+

I love this pick for fit, talent, catch the �slip� from NBA 9 and for 2k engine love. Sochan might never put more together than maybe an MKG offensive skillset, but MKG was elite athletically and defensively and Sochan can nail down that side of the ball in Boston doing all the little things around the elite scorers in Tatum and Garland. Clearly the best guy left on the board, too.

 

Pick 13 � Ousmane Dieng � C

Dieng may have been picked above this in the NBA, but he went to a team that doesn�t need to play him now and simply, likely won�t. He�s a couple years away although he does have some upside and this pick was made for the Mavs who traded Julius Randle to get to�Dieng. There�s better talent and fit on the board here and there needs to be a lot that goes right for this to start to climb up from this grade, in my mind.

 

Pick 14 � AJ Griffin � A

Griffin might be the best shooter in the draft and those guys are going to have a career. That makes the pick by the Pels a real solid one as they have their stars, they have a tonne of talent and they can use an immediate floor spacing booster like a Griffin for sure, even now. Take the guy with a high floor and a whole lot of potential, when you�re a likely elite level playoff team already, yep, that�s good business.

 

Pick 15 � Nikola Jovic � D+

I don�t necessarily dislike Jovic as a whole. Some would say I should be rating this A+ simply cause his name ends in �ic� and it�s me�but I don�t see Jovic being more than a role playing shooting tweener forward and you just selected his 12 spots higher than in the NBA above a handful of guys that project to be far better players. Does he project to be anything more than Cam Johnson at best? He is in Miami I guess, which is good for development and squeezing the most you can out of a guy, but I�m just not seeing why you would jump this far up to take this. I do hope I am wrong for LJ�s sake though!

 

Pick 16 � Ochai Agbaji � A+

I love this pick, even more-so because of where he lands with the Magic. They just got Jarrett Allen, they have Aaron Gordon (now, but likely agreed before draft anyway), they have Tobias Harris, they have an elite young guard core. So, what about a potentially elite 2 way wing to throw into the mix? Yes please. Absolute perfect fit. 2way guy, with upside and maybe the best guy on the board still, too.

 

Pick 17 � Jalen Williams � A+

Williams was a sliding, compared to the NBA. Maybe the spot in NBA OKC was a put off? But the Clippers aren�t snoozing here and end the slide at 5 spots. Williams was the best guy left on the board and has NBA wing size at 6�6 with a 7�2 wingspan, allowing for multi positional versatility and defensive impact on top of his college 40% shooting from deep. This is nice considering Sexton could be on the way out.

 

Pick 18 � Dalen Terry � A

I like this pick, cause I like big guards who like the defensive end. It�s right on his NBA draft spot too and he gives a nice PG combo with defence and size with Lonzo ball in tow. The Bulls seem to really like this type of guard too, save for Coby White on their roster. He might not impact huge immediately, but he�s got good 2way potential.

 

Pick 19 � Malaki Branham � A

What does the team that has it all require? Well, maybe a big man�but there�s rumours flowing on that already. When you�re loaded, you can take the high upside 19 year old with genuine wing size and the ideal NBA developmental spot in San Antonio. He can sit down there and learn and maybe contribute in a few years when he�s ready.

 

Pick 20 � Patrick Baldwin Jr. � A

This pick officially becomes the 2^nd largest �reach� of the NSL draft, going pick 20 here compared to 28 in the NBA, but it�s a Golden State Warrior pick and these guys that are the do it all types on the wing seem to be a staple from the Warriors and they all seem to make it in some form, too. Baldwin is the next in line and it�s hard to fault sticking with their success.

 

Pick 21 � Jaden Hardy � B

Hardy is the largest leap from NBA draft to NSL draft this year (unless I�m forgetting someone). 37^th in the NBA, 21^st here. It�s a big jump, but I don�t hate it, but I also don�t love it, hence the B grade. He was always tagged to go far above his NBA spot here as he started the year as a projected top 5 pick but slid a long way playing in the GLeague last year. He had an NBA deal already by our draft though and a good spot in Dallas with a Brunson hole now to fill. It�s a fair swing for upside.

 

Pick 22 � Tari Eason � A+

Well, the mini slide here ends again with the Clippers catching the NBA 17^th pick at 22 with the guys picking below licking their lips hoping he fell. Even before summer league this looked like a great pick as the best guy on the board with massive upside as a big wing which will get a lot of 2k love along the way too, I�m sure. Now Summer League has only bolstered this as what might be the steal of our draft, so far. Way too early call!

 

Pick 23 � Blake Wesley � A

Wesley has a really nice looking 2way game and he�s a Spurs guy, so the idea of reaching down a little is a good one here in my opinion. The Cavs have made a handful of moves since taking the reins, and while they go looked at hard for a couple early on, they have a sweet looking roster shaped up and aren�t done yet. Wesley fits nicely as a 2way piece off the bench for now with nice potential for growth. His Summer League has been very promising, too.

 

Pick 24 � Christian Braun � A

Brain may not be the highest upside player going round, but I like this pick for the Wizards a lot. He�s not needed to handle or score much in Washington, which is good because they both aren�t his strong suits, but he�s a jack of all trades when you put the rest of the basketball court into the picture as he�s a solid defender across multiple positions, can hit the 3, can defend the post, and has nice size for a wing. The perfect role player and a slight drop from his NBA spot.

 

Pick 25 � Wendell Moore Jr. � B+

A little like Braun, I like this pick for fit in Detroit where they won�t necessarily need him to score the rock as he simply isn�t a gifted scorer, but he�s a very versatile wing with good wing size who can handle the rock and distribute in a pinch, too. He�s got that defensive style that the Pistons clearly covet and a really high floor, even if the ceiling is lower than others around him.

 

Pick 26 � Caleb Houstan � B

Houstan, a little surprisingly, was the second NBA 2^nd round pick off the board in the NSL even though it�s only a 6 pick jump from 32 where he went in the NBA. Picking for the NSL Suns, the Hornets moved this pick long ago. He�s got the perfect size for a wing and super nice jumpshot particularly from deep and can probably slot in off the Orlando magic bench immediately as that floor spacer with size. However I don�t think he was close to the best guy on the board here and around the jumpshot I saw some fairly questionable decision making in the Summer League games which is why it surprised me he was the next 2^nd rounder off the board behind Hardy.

 

Pick 27 � Walker Kessler � A

This pick was being made for the Dallas Mavericks again from the Ingram trade, so I grade it according to that landing spot. They got the NBA 22^nd pick at 27 here which is nice, and they filled a need in a big man again which is also nice. Kessler was a strong shot blocker at college and is clearly big at 7�1 and a 7�4 wingspan. He can move his feet well enough, but despite his size doesn�t handle physicality all that well. That said, in 2k he�s going to be seen as size, shot blocking and good hands. If that�s all you ever ask, that�s good cause he can�t step out.

 

Pick 28 � Christian Koloko � A+

This was a no brainer for the Bucks and it was seen a mile off by myself (I called it to Daz well before the draft), and personally, I thought it might have been a lucky thing if he was still on the board at this spot with potential to go higher. He�s huge and athletic which means he�s going to be great in 2k for years even if he never pans out all that well in the NBA, but he�s in Toronto�sooo there�s some good betting odds there that he�ll get somewhere. This would have broken the heart of the Heat picking next�but I would have hoped he knew 29 was too hopeful.

 

Pick 29 � Jake LaRavia � A

Personally, I�m not necessarily the biggest LaRavia fan but he�s got great size, motor and skillset, and he slid a massive 10 spots before being caught here. That�s the biggest slide thus far by a long way and the NBA Grizzlies must have loved him to trade up to NBA 19^th using 22 and 29, to select him. That�s got to bode well, too, as they have a great development history. Pete would have been lamenting Koloko coming off the board before this pick I believe but I didn�t think he was going to be there past 25 really, so he�d have had a plan in place. Why not take the NBA best man available?

 

Pick 30 � MarJon Beauchamp � A+

Catch the faller at pick 30, and Beauchamp is right in the Memphis wheelhouse being a gritty wing with great size and length and the ability to cover 1-4. He came roaring onto the scene in the GLeague after not even being on the draft radar in college and now he�s a 1^st round pick having shown he can mix it with professionals. He�s no risk here, was 24 in the NBA and has a skillset that should translate well.

 

 

Stay tuned for the 2^nd round coming in the coming days!