Final 2022 NBA Mock Draft: What will happen on Draft Night?
By Mike Luciano
![LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 26: Chet Holmgren #34 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts after being called for a foul against Paolo Banchero #5 of the Duke Blue Devils (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 26: Chet Holmgren #34 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts after being called for a foul against Paolo Banchero #5 of the Duke Blue Devils (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/32408eb8bbf848cc53fbf804c37da3b175e31cf2b951509c91986a47cf94cdfe.jpg)
Baylor. player. 169. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. SF. Kendall Brown. 26
Brown is a limited shooter, but he is one of the best athletes in the class who should be able to get to the rim in the pros just like he did in his college career with the Bears. Staying in Texas could be good for him.
The Christian Wood trade helped the Rockets clear space for Banchero and add a player of Brown’s caliber to the fold. Look for him to compete with Josh Christopher and Usman Garuba for minutes.
SF/PF. player. 110. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Milwaukee. Patrick Baldwin Jr.. 27
Baldwin fell from a lottery lock to the back half of the first round, but Miami may be just the team to take this oft-injured dynamo and turn him into a viable starter in the pros.
While there are some questions about his overall game, he will be a dynamic bucket-getter who can fill in at three different positions. The Heat love versatility, and Baldwin would be a perfect pick at this spot.
NBA Mock Draft: Jaden Hardy could help a contender.
Jaden Hardy. 41. Scouting Report. SG. G League. 28. player. Pick Analysis
The champion Warriors have no pressing short-term needs, so they can send a volatile prospect down to Santa Cruz and see how he progresses. Hardy will either be out of the league in two years or an All-Star, given his physical tools.
Hardy was poor in the G League last year, but the germ of a tremendous scorer who contends for some silverware is locked within his body. Golden State could coax it out of him.
PG. Tennessee. 29. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Kennedy Chandler. 211
Chandler staying home could make him a potential Tyus Jones replacement if the veteran leaves in free agency. He’s not as athletic as Ja Morant, but Chandler can still fly to the basket.
His lack of tremendous size will knock him down a peg here, but Chandler will have no issue sticking in the league as a backup for a very long time as a high-energy reserve.
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. PF. Michigan. Caleb Houstan. 73. 30. player
Houstan will slide a bit after a very inconsistent season in Ann Arbor, but Denver could use another sweet shooter to put the ball on the floor and create his own shot.
The name of the game in this Denver offseason is depth, and Houstan would be an excellent long-term piece who helps spell Jokic and Porter in critical regular season moments.