NBA Mock Draft: A look at the top second-round stars as Miami and Milwaukee withdraw picks

The NBA Mock Draft 2022 process has entered the home stretch. The withdrawal deadline has passed, and the lottery and Combine have concluded. And team pre-draft preparations, including interviews and exercises, are virtually complete.

But, with little over a week until the draught, there’s still plenty more forecasting to be done. That means it’s time to really immerse ourselves in our mock and project for the first time this cycle. What we expect clubs to do given that we have a complete view of the class, taking into account fit, talent, reported landing destinations, and other factors.

This version of our NBA Mock Draft is the most detailed ever. It included all 58 picks (yes, 58, not 60 because Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks forfeited their second-round picks) in the 2022 NBA Draft. In addition, unlike our Big Board Top 100 rankings, it prioritizes team needs.

The mockup below is nearly entirely made up of. It is based on what we believe teams will do rather than what we would do.

The top of the list has mainly remained stable with Jabari Smith, Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero, and Jaden Ivey. The best four players in the class are ranked Nos. 1-4. The Pistons choose No. 5, which is where the draught becomes interesting. As a result, Shaedon Sharpe, the mysterious man we had placed at No. 5, has dropped to No. 6. He dips a little as teams continue to work on his game after not seeing him in a competitive setting all season.

Image Credits – Blazer’s Edge

NBA Mock Draft 2022 will be interesting to watch

Continuing with the Sharpe theme from the previous months. He’s still one of the draft’s most divisive players. Both going top-five and dropping out of the top ten feel like acceptable draught night scenarios. The difference is divided below.

On June 1, prior to the early-entry deadline, and again on June 13, a total of 112 draught prospects withdrew from the 2022 NBA Draft. A few foreign talents also withdrew their names from the selection. It provides us with a comprehensive list of NBA Draft prospects for the June 23rd event.

The Orlando Magic currently has the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draught. And a clearer image of who they intend to choose is emerging. You can’t go wrong with Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith Jr, and Paolo Banchero. But the Magic appears to be focusing on one specific player.

Teams have made guarantees to several talents in the first round at the NBA Mock Draft. Others, on the other hand, are still giving their best in pre-draft exercises. It wants to prove that they have what it takes and convince just one team to take a chance on them.

There are several talented athletes that deserve to be picked this year. However, only 30 will be selected in the first round, and only 58 prospects will be selected total on draught night.