As the Denver Nuggets prepare for the 2022 NBA Draft on June 23rd, every outlet is beginning to share their takes about the prospects available in this class. From the top of the draft to the second round to undrafted free agents, there are several ways for NBA teams to improve their rosters around draft time. Young, dynamic talent is important for a number reasons. For the Nuggets, last year’s 26th overall pick Bones Hyland helped revitalize Denver’s bench and served as a battery of energy for the entire organization. He should continue to be impactful for several years to come, even though he wasn’t expected to be a first round draft pick.
This year, the 2022 NBA Draft class is littered with interesting players. A wing-heavy class that features talent up and down the draft board, the Nuggets should have plenty of options with their 21st overall pick. They may choose to trade up, trade down, or trade out of the draft entirely too, and almost every potential outcome is justifiable.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at my top 46 players in the 2022 NBA Draft:
Tier 1 – Blue Chip Prospects
1. Paolo Banchero | Forward | Duke
Draft Age: 19, Height: 6’10”, Weight: 250 lbs, Wingspan: 7’0.5″
Analysis: A dynamic playmaking forward, Paolo Banchero showcased a high level of scoring talent with the ball in his hands. He helped Duke reach the Final Four of the NCAA Men’s Tournament, scoring, rebounding, and passing just about as well as anyone at the college level. He isn’t a clear-cut first overall pick though, and there are questions about his shooting efficiency and defensive ceiling, but some of those concerns are alleviated with a dynamic offensive skill set any team would be interested in adding to headline a rebuilding effort.
2. Jabari Smith | Forward | Auburn
Draft Age: 19, Height: 6’9″, Weight: 215 lbs, Wingspan: 7’1″
Analysis: Perhaps the safest selection in the top four, Jabari Smith certainly looks the part of the next explosive shooting forward. Hitting pull up jumpers from just about anywhere on the court, Smith combines elite shooting potential with a high defensive ceiling. His projections see him switching onto just about anyone and guarding at a capable level, a skill the NBA playoffs have highlighted as perhaps the most important trait for incoming prospects. There are concerns about his level of playmaking as a volume scorer though, and they’re credible enough to drop him to second overall.
3. Chet Holmgren | Big | Gonzaga
Draft Age: 20, Height: 7’0″, Weight: 195 lbs, Wingspan: 7’6″
Analysis: Chet Holmgren is the most interesting prospect in this year’s draft class. A lanky big man built like a hybrid between Kevin Durant and Bol Bol, Holmgren displays incredible shooting touch from the perimeter, ball handling skills, and a high level of efficiency around the rim. Very few players have ever come close to his shooting talent with that standing reach, and teams are incredibly intrigued. They are also concerned that he weighs just 195 pounds, and his frame probably won’t handle a ton of extra weight to credibly defend bigger centers. Still, the skill set is undeniable, and any team should be happy to select him at the top of the draft.
4. Jaden Ivey | Guard | Purdue
Draft Age: 20, Height: 6’4″, Weight: 195 lbs, Wingspan: 6’9″
Analysis: The only guard in the top tier, Jaden Ivey looks the part of the next explosive guard to take the NBA by storm. His burst to the rim and explosive leaping ability remind many of Ja Morant or Russell Westbrook, and his displays of shooting touch and playmaking vision throughout the college season only add to the excitement. He has a credible case to be selected first overall, though like many of the top guard prospects, the defense leaves something to be desired.
Tier 2 – Lottery Talents
5. Shaedon Sharpe | Wing | Nobody
Draft Age: 19, Height: 6’5″, Weight: 198 lbs, Wingspan: 6’11.5″
Analysis: The mystery box of the 2022 class is Shaedon Sharpe. He didn’t play a single minute of college basketball despite initially committing to Kentucky. he was going to be a 2023 player, but he reclassified to 2022, throwing a curveball at the top of this class. His talent is undeniable though with elite footwork, balance, and shooting touch off the dribble. He makes plays for himself and others and capably finds scoring opportunities off the ball. He represents everything a team could want in a scoring wing prospect…except for the lack of college film. He might slide on draft night because of it.
6. Keegan Murray | Forward | Iowa
Draft Age: 21, Height: 6’8″, Weight: 225 lbs, Wingspan: 6’11”
Analysis: Keegan Murray was perhaps the best player in college basketball last year. His shooting at 6’8″ combined with versatile two-way skills make him a solid player to add to almost any rebuild. Murray might not become a star, but his chance s of remaining a high quality starter for a decade are about as high as anyone.
7. A.J. Griffin | Wing | Duke
Draft Age: 18, Height: 6’6″, Weight: 220 lbs, Wingspan: 6’11”
Analysis: Riddled with injury questions, A.J. Griffin might be a candidate to slip on draft night. When he’s on the court at full strength though, he appears to be the prototypical two-way wing that most teams dream of adding to their long term plans. He shot 45% from three on solid volume and will be one of the youngest players in the class. How impactful he becomes as a defender and playmaker will determine his ceiling.
8. Bennedict Mathurin | Wing | Arizona
Draft Age: 20, Height: 6’6″, Weight: 205 lbs, Wingspan: 6’9″
Analysis: Mathurin is fairly similar to Griffin in size and profile. He’s a versatile scoring wing with floor spacing capabilities and potential to grow on defense. His freshman 2020-21 season was far more efficient than this year though, perhaps a drop-off due to an increased role. He has the physical profile to become a better defender, but so far, it’s theoretical rather than practical on that end.
9. Dyson Daniels | Wing | G League Ignite
Draft Age: 19, Height: 6’7.5″, Weight: 195 lbs, Wingspan: 6’10.5″
Analysis: One of the most unique prospects in the draft class, Dyson Daniels reminds many of Lonzo and LaMelo Ball with his size, playmaking, defensive skill set, and basketball IQ. Like Lonzo, Daniels must improve his three-point shot, but he’s a capable scorer inside the arc with finishing skills at the rim and a quality floater. He’s a “connector” rather than a star, but he has elite role player upside.
10. Jeremy Sochan | Forward | Baylor
Draft Age: 19, Height: 6’9″, Weight: 230 lbs, Wingspan: 7’0″
Analysis: Jeremy Sochan plays with elite feel and basketball IQ for being so young. He’s long, athletic, and highly switchable defensively. Offensively, he’s an average shooter but makes up for it with strong passing, cutting, and spatial instincts. He’s another guy who will likely never be a star scorer but might be the glue that holds a champion together.
11. Jalen Duren | Big | Memphis
Draft Age: 18, Height: 6’10”, Weight: 250 lbs, Wingspan: 7’5″
Analysis: The first true center on the board, Jalen Duren is extremely athletic and projectable as a rim protector. He averaged 4.7 blocks per 100 possessions at Memphis as a freshman while also leading his conference in rebounds per game. He’s young and is still developing on the offensive end, but given his explosiveness above the rim, teams can find a use for him.
12. Tari Eason | Forward | LSU
Draft Age: 21, Height: 6’8″, Weight: 217 lbs, Wingspan: 7’2″
Analysis: Tari Eason may be the most toolsy player in the entire draft with a wiry but strong frame, a 7’2″ wingspan, and the capability to make as many defensive plays as anybody in this class. Offensively, the jump shot was pretty good, but he will have to be more versatile with the ball in his hands to capitalize on his athletic gifts. He doesn’t see the floor well offensively, which gives some teams pause.
13. Ousmane Dieng | Forward | New Zealand Breakers
Draft Age: 19, Height: 6’10”, Weight: 216 lbs, Wingspan: 7’0″
Analysis: The first international prospect to show up is Ousmane Dieng, an interesting forward with wing skills. He has some ball handling and off-the-dribble scoring capabilities that many teams will be intrigued by. Seeing 6’10” players with his level of skill is becoming less rare, but it’s still a definite positive. Many view him as a lottery talent. I’m a bit worried about what he looks like against stronger players, but the playmaking and feel is there at 19 years old.
14. Johnny Davis | Guard | Wisconsin
Draft Age: 20, Height: 6’5.75″, Weight: 196 lbs, Wingspan: 6’8.5″
Analysis: Johnny Davis is a competitive guard who broke out in his sophomore year at Wisconsin to be a consensus All-American. He was a volume scorer with a versatile array of moves off the dribble (and in the post) but his shooting efficiency dropped in a heavy role. At the NBA level, he should be a quality guard defender and versatile shot creator, though he may not be the most efficient floor spacer.
15. Jalen Williams | Wing | Santa Clara
Draft Age: 21, Height: 6’5.75″, Weight: 209 lbs, Wingspan: 7’2″
Analysis: One of the late risers at the NBA Draft Combine, Jalen Williams proved he was undervalued for much of the year, and he appears to be everything a team could hope for in an older wing prospect. He can score, create for others, defends reasonably well, has a 7’2″ wingspan, and tied for the fourth highest vertical jump at the combine. He’s going to be a really good player.
16. Malaki Branham | Wing | Ohio State
Draft Age: 19, Height: 6’5.5″, Weight: 195 lbs, Wingspan: 6’10”
Analysis: Emerging as a potential lottery pick following his freshman season, Malaki Branham showcased some elite scoring traits as both a catch-and-shoot option and on-ball scorer. His efficiency numbers were really impressive, and he plays with a level of patience that most young wings struggle to find. He’s not a great defender, but he’s young. That may change.
Tier 3 – First Round Grades
17. MarJon Beauchamp | Wing | G League Ignite
Draft Age: 21, Height: 6’6.5″, Weight: 197 lbs, Wingspan: 7’0.75″
Analysis: MarJon Beauchamp bounced around in high school before ultimately finding a home with the G League Ignite. There, he showcased a defensive-minded skill set as a big wing with some shooting and passing capability. Some have him way lower than this, and I just don’t understand that having watched the 2022 NBA playoffs. Beauchamp was built to switch, guard, attack mismatches, and capitalize on margins. He should be very good.
18. Mark Williams | Big | Duke
Draft Age: 20, Height: 7’2″, Weight: 242 lbs, Wingspan: 7’6.5″
Analysis: One of the less heralded Duke prospects behind Paolo Banchero, Mark Williams showed some serious potential as a defensive center in the Final Four run. An athletic 7’2″ is simply hard to find, but Williams uses his size well on both ends of the floor shooting 72% from the field and averaging a whopping SEVEN blocks per 100 possessions. He has a floor of “quality backup center” and might become much more than that.
19. Ochai Agbaji | Wing | Kansas
Draft Age: 22, Height: 6’5.75″, Weight: 218 lbs, Wingspan: 6’10.25″
Analysis: Ochai Agbaji is the first four-year player on the draft board and for good reason. His senior season saw him become the Big-12 Player of the Year, a consensus All-American, and the winner of a national title. He averaged nearly 19 points per game and shot nearly 41% from three-point range. Most see him as a safe pick to translate to the NBA as a complementary wing though, and with his size, athleticism, and shooting, it isn’t hard to see why.
20. Wendell Moore Jr. | Wing | Duke
Draft Age: 20, Height: 6’5.5″, Weight: 217 lbs, Wingspan: 7’0.5″
Analysis: Possibly the least discussed prospect at Duke this year was Wendell Moore Jr., and I’m not quite sure why. Every time I watch him, I see at least a role player with potential to fill a third or fourth option role on a good team. His passing on wing is closer to a point guard, and his point-of-attack defense is great as he makes use of that 7’+ wingspan. He’s underrated due to his first two college years but found footing this season.
21. Nikola Jovic | Forward | Mega Basket
Draft Age: 19, Height: 6’11”, Weight: 223 lbs, Wingspan: 7’0.25″
Analysis: Another international playmaking forward, Nikola Jovic is a really fascinating offensive prospect. His passing vision off the dribble is rare at 6’11”, and he possesses the attitude necessary to carve out a spot in the NBA. He isn’t a great athlete though, and that highlights some defensive concerns that are bound to stick with him throughout his career.
22. Tyty Washington | Guard | Kentucky
Draft Age: 20, Height: 6’3.75″, Weight: 196 lbs, Wingspan: 6’8″
Analysis: Only the third guard listed on this big board, Tyty Washington put together a solid freshman campaign at Kentucky before deciding to go pro. He follows a long list of Kentucky guards in the last seven years that includes Jamal Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyler Herro, Tyrese Maxey, and Immanuel Quickley that had some question marks but turned out pretty good. Sometimes, you just have to trust the pedigree. Washington is solid in several categories, including defensively.
23. Jaden Hardy | Wing | G League Ignite
Draft Age: 20, Height: 6’4″, Weight: 185 lbs, Wingspan: 6’8″
Analysis: Jaden Hardy had a tough season with the G League Ignite. While Dyson Daniels and MarJon Beauchamp saw their stocks rise, Hardy’s has fallen from the top five. His scoring game can be described as a little selfish, though that may be unfair in a showcase setting, but the efficiency and impact left a lot to be desired. He has a long way to go as a defender and playmaker for others.
24. Jake LaRavia | Forward | Wake Forest
Draft Age: 20, Height: 6’8″, Weight: 227 lbs, Wingspan: 6’9.5″
Analysis: Jake LaRavia is a sweet shooting forward with a beautiful shooting stroke. At 6’8″, LaRavia has a ton of projectable skills that scale toward the NBA level, with solid passing instincts, good defensive positioning, and some surprising athleticism. I don’t quite believe in any star level upside, but this is a solid NBA rotation player with some starter upside for the right team.
25. E.J. Liddell | Forward | Ohio State
Draft Age: 21, Height: 6’7″, Weight: 243 lbs, Wingspan: 6’11.5″
Analysis: A three-year player at Ohio State, E.J. Liddell profiles as a solid rotation level forward at the next level. He was used in the post a ton in college, but the rest of his game was solid as a shooter, rebounder, and switchable defender. He isn’t quite the athlete of some of the forwards above him though which is why he may slip.
26. Christian Braun | Wing | Kansas
Draft Age: 21, Height: 6’7″, Weight: 209 lbs, Wingspan: 6’6.5″
Analysis: Christian Braun was the other wing prospect on Kansas next to Ochai Agbaji, and there are plenty of analysts that believe Braun may actually be the better pro prospect. His feel for the game and outside shooting were good, but where he really stood out was as a competitive defender in 1-on-1 settings and as a pretty good vertical athlete. He should find a spot in NBA rotations.
27. Blake Wesley | Wing | Notre Dame
Draft Age: 19, Height: 6’4.25″, Weight: 187 lbs, Wingspan: 6’9.25″
Analysis: Blake Wesley certainly wasn’t the most efficient scorer as a college freshman in the ACC, but he put a lot of good film out there as a shooter, 1-on-1 scorer, and on-ball defender. At just 19 years old, Wesley is a classic project pick and has a higher ceiling than some of the wings ranked above him. Whether he meets that ceiling remains to be seen.
28. Dalen Terry | Wing | Arizona
Draft Age: 19, Height: 6’7.25″, Weight: 195 lbs, Wingspan: 7’0.75″
Analysis: Dalen Terry is a unique wing prospect. At Arizona, Terry often ran point guard, making some high level passes and finding ways to create off the dribble. His shooting isn’t where it needs to be at the NBA level, but he’s one of the better wing defenders in the class. He’s another “potential” pick, but a creative team could find ways to bring him up to speed quickly and reap the benefits.
29. Walker Kessler | Big | Auburn
Draft Age: 20, Height: 7’1″, Weight: 256 lbs, Wingspan: 7’4.25″
Analysis: Walker Kessler was a record-breaking rim protector at Auburn in his sophomore year, blocking an incredible 4.6 shots per game. Only 24 freshman or sophomores have blocked at least four shots per game in the NCAA in the last 30 years, according to Sport Reference. Kessler wasn’t much more than a rim protector and lob threat, but his size will certainly translate to the NBA. Let’s see if he’s athletic enough to make it happen.
30. Kendall Brown | Forward | Baylor
Draft Age: 19, Height: 6’7.5″, Weight: 201 lbs, Wingspan: 6’11”
Analysis: Kendall Brown has been hyped as one of the better big wings in this class by some, and the vertical bounce Brown showed on tape and at the combine is certainly a big part of it. I’m concerned about his role at the NBA level though as he’s not much more than an athlete right now. The spot up jumper was reasonable but the handle wasn’t great. He will need to develop both to become starter level.
Tier 4 – Second Rounders
31. Christian Koloko | Big | Arizona
Draft Age: 22, Height: 7’0″, Weight: 221 lbs, Wingspan: 7’5.25″
Analysis: Christian Koloko certainly has some fans of his game, and it’s not hard to see why with how big and athletic he is. Teams will be interested to see if he can become more than just a rim protector and rim runner. If not, he’s likely a quality backup center who could start for some teams but not much more.
32. Ismael Kamagate | Big | Paris Basketball
Draft Age: 19, Height: 6’11”, Weight: 230 lbs, Wingspan: 7’3″
Analysis: Ismael Kamagate showcased a level of skill and touch as a big man that was at least intriguing for some teams in this year’s draft class. Kamagate played in the same league as Petr Cornelie, and Kamagate put up better numbers as an 18-year-old. He’s a flyer with some starter potential if it hits.
33. Patrick Baldwin Jr. | Forward | Milwaukee
Draft Age: 19, Height: 6’10.25″, Weight: 231 lbs, Wingspan: 7’1.75″
Analysis: Patrick Baldwin Jr. was a highly thought of prospect before a mostly horrible year at Milwaukee. He played just 11 games while dealing with injuries and shot 34% from the field and 27% from three-point range. He was a highly touted high school recruit, and most evaluators will have to lean on that film to truly prop him up in this year’s class.
34. Kennedy Chandler | Guard | Tennessee
Draft Age: 19, Height: 6’0.5″, Weight: 172 lbs, Wingspan: 6’5.25″
Analysis: An undersized point guard in a draft full of wing talent, Kennedy Chandler put up some strong numbers in his lone year at Tennessee, including 4.7 assists, shooting 38.3% from three-point range, and a whopping 2.2 steals per game. As the NBA continues to trend toward size and skill at every position, Chandler represents a bit of a wildcard. The numbers were great, but whether they translate or not remains a fair question.
35. Jaylin Williams | Big | Arkansas
Draft Age: 20, Height: 6’10”, Weight: 237 lbs, Wingspan: 7’1″
Analysis: Jaylin Williams played a smart brand of basketball at Arkansas, showcasing shooting touch in the mid-range and the ability to slide his feet defensively and take charges. He’s not a great athlete for the position, and it’s unclear whether he will be best at power forward or center at the next level, potentially a tweener in a bad way.
36. Trevor Keels | Guard | Duke
Draft Age: 18, Height: 6’4.75″, Weight: 228 lbs, Wingspan: 6’7.25″
Analysis: Trevor Keels is built like a fire hydrant and plays with the strength of one too. His game is tailored toward his physical play style on both ends of the floor. He’s reasonably effective as a finisher around the rim and can switch onto bigger players defensively. The jump shot is a question mark though, and the defense is good, not great.
37. Alondes Williams | Guard | Wake Forest
Draft Age: 23, Height: 6’5″, Weight: 209 lbs, Wingspan: 6’7″
Analysis: Alondes Williams is one of the oldest players in this draft class, and though his shooting may be a fatal flaw, he has plenty of slashing and playmaking skills that should be of interest to some teams. He was the ACC player of the year as a productive, crafty, slashing guard. If the shooting ever becomes efficient, he has starting point guard potential despite already being 23 years old.
38. Trevion Williams | Big | Purdue
Draft Age: 21, Height: 6’8.75″, Weight: 265 lbs, Wingspan: 7’2.75″
Analysis: One of the biggest players at the combine from a weight perspective, Trevion Williams is one of the best passers in the class. He reads the court exceptionally well from the post and executes fairly efficiently. Williams is also a physical rebounder and finishes well around the basket, though below the rim. He will probably need to extend his range a bit, but he’s a talented player.
39. Bryce McGowens | Wing | Nebraska
Draft Age: 19, Height: 6’6.5″, Weight: 181 lbs, Wingspan: 6’8.75″
Analysis: Bryce McGowens was a relatively inefficient scoring wing at Nebraska. He carried a high usage as a high profile freshman for a pretty bad team, and he didn’t do a lot other than score and draw fouls. He has potential to be a bench scorer at the next level, but unless he develops other facets of his game, that’s likely all it ever will be.
40. Vince Williams | Wing | VCU
Draft Age: 21, Height: 6’6″, Weight: 210 lbs, Wingspan: 6’11”
Analysis: Vince Williams is a four year player at VCU and a former teammate of Bones Hyland. A sweet shooting lefty wing, Williams became a jack-of-all-trades type that many teams at the NBA level are constantly searching for. He had some games where he passed like an elite point guard and scored like an elite wing. There’s some hidden potential here.
41. David Roddy | Forward | CSU
Draft Age: 21, Height: 6’6″, Weight: 261 lbs, Wingspan: 6’11.5″
Analysis: A name Nuggets fans are familiar with, David Roddy did just about everything for the CSU Rams. He was a highly efficient and effective scorer and rebounder, shooting 43.8% from three in his junior season. He’s a career 31.9% three-point shooter though, and while it’s clear he does the little things well, there are question marks about his unique size profile at the next level. He’s smart though, and seeing the floor well makes up for a lot.
42. Keon Ellis | Wing | Alabama
Draft Age: 22, Height: 6’4.75″, Weight: 167 lbs, Wingspan: 6’8.5″
Analysis: Keon Ellis is one of the best perimeter defenders in the draft class. He also shot 37.1% from three on high volume. Why isn’t he discussed as one of the better 3&D prospects in the class? It’s because he weighs just 167 pounds. Ellis is skin and bone, and it’s unlikely he will ever bulk up enough to battle NBA small forwards in the post. That limits his versatility a bit, though it doesn’t eliminate the role player qualities he has.
43. Josh Minott | Forward | Memphis
Draft Age: 20, Height: 6’8″, Weight: 197 lbs, Wingspan: 6’11.75″
Analysis: Josh Minott is purely an upside play in this draft class. He started just five games for Memphis last season and averaged 14.6 minutes per game. What he showed though was a wiry, athletic frame reminiscent of Derrick Jones Jr., which was enough for NBA draft folks to be intrigued by the defensive upside. Teams will have to be patient with Minott.
44. Max Christie | Wing | Michigan State
Draft Age: 19, Height: 6’5.75″, Weight: 189 lbs, Wingspan: 6’8.75″
Analysis: Max Christie underperformed at Michigan State in his freshman year, but like Josh Minott, teams remain intrigued anyway. He’s a capable shooter with a projectable jumper, and he’s one of the better 1-on-1 defensive wings in the draft class. He reminds me a bit of Trey Murphy, though Christie isn’t as tall and has a bit more to offer as a ball handler.
45. Gabriele Procida | Wing | Bologna
Draft Age: 19, Height: 6’7.75″, Weight: 193 lbs, Wingspan: 6’8″
Analysis: Another international prospect, Gabriele Procida looks the part of a young, sweet shooting wing rotation player. He’s a good enough athlete and has some professional experience playing in an Italian league that features Marco Belinelli and some other former NBA guys. Procida has a lot of skills the NBA is looking for, and as long as he stays aggressive and confident, he could have some success.
46. Leonard Miller | Forward | Fort Erie Prep
Draft Age: 18, Height: 6’10”, Weight: 211 lbs, Wingspan: 7’2″
Analysis: Finally, the prospect that many are talking about after he made himself draft eligible, Leonard Miller has an intriguing blend of scoring and playmaking skills at 6’10”, and he carries himself with the confidence of a high level star. He’s so far away from truly contributing though, and teams see him as needing multiple years to develop before he’s ready to go. He’s fun to watch though and could certainly develop faster than expected.
