NBA Mock Draft 3.0 – Final Look at the Draft from a Spurs Point of View
Jeremy Sochan could be who the Spurs pick with the ninth selection (Photo via Twitter)
The 2022 NBA Draft is now minutes away. The final Big Board for the San Antonio Spurs is set. Who will the Spurs pick at 9, 20, 25 and 38? Here’s a Spurs-centric NBA mock draft that aims to answer that question.
1. Orlando Magic – Jabari Smith
At the end of the day, the Magic will opt for the safety of Smith’s instantly translatable jumper and pick him first overall.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder – Chet Holmgren
I wouldn’t be stunned if the Thunder throw a wrench in other team’s plans by taking Banchero or Ivey. But Holmgren fits too perfectly with what they’re building.
3. Houston Rockets – Paolo Banchero
Banchero is a no-brainer at three if he’s still on the board. He has a very real chance of being the best player in the entire draft.
4. Sacramento Kings – Keegan Murray
A normal team takes Ivey here … but this is the Kings.
5. Detroit Pistons – Jaden Ivey
The Pistons are doing somersaults if Ivey falls to five.
6. Indiana Pacers – Bennedict Mathurin
Mathurin is just too good to drop out of the top six.
7. Portland Trail Blazers – Shaedon Sharpe
The Blazers will swing for the fences and go for the player in the draft with the most scoring upside.
8. New Orleans Pelicans – Ousmane Dieng
This is where things get interesting for the Spurs. If rival teams are right and the Spurs want Dieng, do the Spurs consider trading 9 and 25 to move to 8 to draft Dieng? I don’t like the idea of Dieng in the lottery but that’s a trade the Spurs may consider if they indeed want the Frenchman.
9. San Antonio Spurs – Jeremy Sochan
Sochan feels like the likeliest of picks for the Spurs. He’s an ace defender who plays a position of need. His advanced feel for the game should hasten his adjustment to the NBA.
But, of course, the Spurs almost never do what others think they will do. Will this draft be any different? Probably not.
10. Washington Wizards – Dyson Daniels
Daniels, a cross between Derrick White and Kyle Anderson, is another very real candidate to be drafted by the Spurs if he’s still around to be had.
11. New York Knicks – Johnny Davis
Davis’ inexhaustible competitiveness would be a great fit in New York City.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder – AJ Griffin
The Thunder need shooting and Griffin is an elite shooter with sneaky upside.
13. Charlotte Hornets – Jalen Duren
LaMelo Ball alleyoops to Jalen Duren will be fun.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers – Ochai Agbaji
The Cavs see themselves as contenders. Agbaji is ready to contend.
15. Charlotte Hornets – Malaki Branham
Branham gives the Hornets a creator not named Ball.
16. Atlanta Hawks – Dalen Terry
The Hawks need defense and playmaking. That’s why they’re trying to trade for Dejounte Murray. Terry does those two things, too.
17. Houston Rockets – TyTy Washington
The Rockets need willing passers who play a smart brand of basketball. Enter TyTy.
18. Chicago Bulls – Tari Eason
The Bulls need defense and activity. Eason can do that.
19. Minnesota Timberwolves – Mark Williams
The Timberwolves want to add size this offseason. With Williams falling, they get extremely lucky.
20. San Antonio Spurs – Jalen Williams
The most likely player to be drafted by the Spurs finds his way home. Williams will be a small forward early in his career but could become a lead playmaker down the road.
21. Denver Nuggets – Christian Braun
Braun gives the Nuggets a lively competitor on the perimeter.
22. Memphis Grizzlies – Blake Wesley
The Grizzlies take a chance on Wesley Booming.
23. Philadelphia 76ers – Jake LaRavia
The 76ers need role players who won’t get in the way. That sound you hear is LaRavia music.
24. Milwaukee Bucks – Jaden Hardy
Milwaukee’s offense was stuck in the mud during the playoffs. Hardy is the best offensive weapon still on the board.
25. San Antonio Spurs – Gabriele Procida
The Spurs snag Procida as a draft-and-stash candidate who has an exciting amount of potential as a shooter and an overall athlete.
26. Houston Rockets – MarJon Beauchamp
The Rockets will need players willing to do the little things. That’s what Beauchamp did on the G League Ignite.
27. Miami Heat – EJ Liddell
Liddell’s toughness and smarts will make him a favorite in Miami.
28. Golden State Warriors – Kendall Brown
The Warriors can gamble on upside. Brown’s a spectacular athlete who will need time in the G League to gain assertiveness.
29. Memphis Grizzlies – Kennedy Chandler
The Grizzlies will fortify their point guard depth due to Tre Jones’ brother possibly leaving for greener dollar bills.
30. Denver Nuggets – Wendell Moore
The Nuggets reportedly want to spend less money on their backup point guards. Enter Moore, who might be able to handle some point guard duties.
31. Indiana Pacers – Andrew Nembhard
The Pacers are said to be trading away Malcolm Brogdon some time soon. Nembhard can help pick up some slack at point guard.
32. Orlando Magic – Peyton Watson
The Magic love length. Watson is long.
33. Toronto Raptors – Walker Kessler
The Raptors need an honest to goodness center. Kessler fits the bill.
34. Oklahoma City Thunder – Nikola Jovic
Jovic’s potential is too much for the Thunder to ignore at this point in the draft.
35. Orlando Magic – John Butler
If Watson wasn’t long enough, Butler’s 7-foot-1, 174-pound frame should suffice.
36. Detroit Pistons – Trevor Keels
Keels is a defender who doesn’t need the ball to make an impact.
37. Sacramento Kings – Christian Koloko
The Kings opt for depth at center.
38. San Antonio Spurs – Max Christie
The Spurs are said to be fans of Christie. Although his shot was awry as a freshman at Michigan State, he was an elite shooter in high school. On the defensive end, he moves his feet well enough that he should at least be a neutral influence.