The end of the NBA season is always bittersweet. On one hand, we just got to see Steph Curry and the Warriors climb the mountain that not many thought they could climb again. I believed in them (check the tweets @picknscroll) and they won me a decent amount of money during their championship run this season. If I ever get the chance to interview Steph, Klay, or Draymond I'll definitely have to thank them for that. On the other hand, we'll have to survive off Woj bombs, questionable 2022-2023 projections, and debates over whether or not Kobe is still in the top 10 all time (he is) until late October.
Writing this exciting for me this year because it's the 3rd annual draft article and it's starting to become fun hitching my wagon to prospects and watching how their careers develop. Before we dive into this year's prospects, let's take a quick look at how my guys have done through 2 years. As a reminder, I am selecting the 3 prospects that I'm most interested in. I'm purchasing stock in all of these players and seeing if the journey leaves me rich in social (or real) currency or laughed off the stage. I'm emotionally prepared for either outcome.
In year 1, the selections were Tyrese Haliburton, Obi Toppin, and LaMelo Ball. Haliburton and Ball both appear to be PG's of the future for their respective teams and I believe the Kings made a mistake in trading Haliburton for Sabonis. That's just what the Kings do at this point I guess. LaMelo Ball is ascending into a star both on and off the court, with flashy assists setting House of Highlights IG on fire while also popping up in commercials for AT&T seemingly every 15 min. All that talent hasn't translated to any playoff appearances yet but hopefully soon. Toppin, well that one hasn't panned out as well as I'd hoped but I also stated in 2020 that I wanted him in a situation where there were established stars around him. That is not the case in New York but we can't just blame the Knicks for everything. Toppin was touted as an athletic big that could stretch the floor coming into the league but is shooting a less than ideal 30% through 2 seasons. That won't get it done if you're not at least a strong contributor on defense.
In year 2, the selections were Jalen Green, Moses Moody, and Davion Mitchell. It's still too early to judge but all three selections showed flashes of high-level play during the season. Jalen Green's post all star stretch raised eyebrows, as the young guard started figuring out how to finish over defenders around the rim and his 3 point shot started falling more consistently. Davion Mitchell flashed the two-way ability that we saw at Baylor but wondered if he had the size to replicate in the NBA. I was impressed with his ability to create offense in the pick & roll for Sacramento after Haliburton was traded, hopefully he's spending the summer in the gym shooting 3's until his arms hurt. If Mitchell can develop into a consistent threat from deep, the Kings hit on the pick without a doubt. Last but not least, we have the champion Moses Moody. We didn't see big minutes from Moody often last season but the two regular season games where he played over 30 minutes he averaged 25 PPG while shooting 50% from 3. Small sample size, but I'd say things look promising going into next season. The Warriors were one of the teams I listed as a perfect fit for Moody and he showed he could handle the bright lights playing decent rotation minutes against Dallas in the WCF. I'm patting myself on the back lightly for that one.
On to 2022, I've had fun watching these prospects this year. Normally I try to stay away from the consensus #1 prospect because of course everyone thinks they're going to be great. This year it doesn't feel like there is a consensus though. There seems to be a consensus top 3, and you'll see one of them in this list. Not listed here but I'm SUPER interested in where Chet Holmgren ends up and how he develops. It's easy to envision him having a successful NBA career. I haven't really liked most of the comps I've seen for him so far. Personally, I think if he is going to reach his true ceiling then 5 years from now we're looking at a Giannis style player. I don't love comparing him to Giannis because part of what makes Giannis great are intangibles like determination, hunger, etc. but still, the best version of Holgrem looks like what we're seeing in Milwaukee. I like the idea of him playing off of SGA and Giddey in OKC much more than I like the idea of him trying to be the star in Orlando. He might get selected first in the NBA draft, but he won't get selected here. Jabari Smith has All-NBA potential with his ability to knock down the 3 and guard one through five in a pinch. From my perspective, Smith's floor is a high-level role player on a playoff team. Smith would benefit from spending all summer working on his handle, if he's able to create offense off the dribble on top of his shooting and defending ability, he could easily end up the best player in this draft and a franchise cornerstone. This would be boring if I had multiple top 3 guys though, so I went a different direction. As usual, if you want to watch some highlights just click their name.
As we get closer to the draft, I'm starting to see people entertain the idea of Banchero being the best player in the draft more often, but it has been clear cut since Duke's season ended for me. Banchero is 19 years old and listed at 6'10 250 pounds and has to potential to be a 3-level scorer in the NBA. Guys that are his size, with his handle, that are a threat to score from anywhere on the floor are rare like Mr. Clean with hair. He can play bully ball against smaller defenders in the paint, his midrange pull-up is smooth, and his post bag is deep. If he develops a consistent 3 ball, we could be looking at one of the league's next superstars. If I had the #1 pick in this draft, I'd already be on ESPN talking about who I want playing next to Banchero. Banchero is the player that the Orlando Magic should have their sights set on. I could look like a fool in a few years if Banchero flops, but I feel Banchero's ceiling is a cut above every other prospect in this draft. I know Banchero left something to be desired on the defensive end at Duke and Holmgren and Jabari Smith both have better two-way potential, but ultimately this league is about making and creating buckets and I think Banchero's ability to do that will make him a star.
Picking a perfect fit for Banchero is difficult because he would fit on every lottery team. 6'10 250 with fluid ball handling, playmaking, shot making ability and high-level finishing around the rim doesn't just walk into the gym every day. Not a chance in hell he falls out of the top 3. If he does someone will lose their job because of it at some point.
Best Fit: Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets
Malaki Branham was someone I didn't have a huge awareness of before I started researching for this, but I quickly became intrigued by his potential as a scorer next to a high-level playmaker. I always love a 3-level scorer and Branham has the tools be that in the NBA. In his one year at Ohio State, he proved himself to be a good midrange shooter and 3 point shooter. Branham is able to use his length to get by defenders and is a crafty finisher around the rim. He shot well from everywhere on the floor and showed the ability to be a scoring threat off the dribble in the pick & roll. I didn't see him create much offense for others out of that pick & roll but that's ok, he's still 19 years old with plenty of room to develop. Branham's 6'10 wingspan gives him potential to be at least a serviceable defender on opposing guards and smaller wings.
I'd love to see Branham land somewhere with an established star playmaker that can put him in good positions for take and make open jumpers and see what he can develop into as a secondary playmaker. I know he isn't hoping for it but falling out of the lottery to a team more built to win may be a blessing for Branham as he'd be allowed to develop slowly on a team built to win now, much like Moses Moody last year. That would be ideal, but I like him as a prospect no matter where he lands.
Best Fit: New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves
Look I know, 2 Duke guys isn't going to sit well with some of you, but they consistently produce talent so that's just what it is this year. AJ Griffin's elite catch and shoot 3 abilities in college should make him a seamless fit next to any of the NBA's elite playmakers. Giffin has a variety of dribble moves to create space for 3's, midrange J's and he's able to use his size to finish around the rim. Noticing a theme here? Players that look comfortable scoring from anywhere on the floor are the ones I'd want on my team. I'm buying stock on all 3 level scorers. On the offensive end I think he'll be ready to contribute right away, the defensive side is what may hurt his chances at minutes early in his career.
The perfect fit for Griffin in my eyes would be a team that can afford to let him play early on and develop, but one that won't put too much scoring burden on him from the start.
Best Fit: Portland Trailblazers, Detroit Pistons, New Orleans Pelicans
That's a wrap for this year's prospects to watch list. I can't wait to see where these guys end up and overreact to their summer league highlights. I hate that it has to be offseason, but at least it's the best offseason in major sports. Let's see what this year has in store.
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