2022 NBA Draft Big Board — 3. Paolo Banchero, Duke
A lot of people have Paolo Banchero listed at No. 1, and for good reason. He’s awesome, it’s just a loaded top of the draft. At 6-foot-10, Banchero can play like a guard, or he can use his 250-pound frame to bully smaller defenders in the post. He has a vast arsenal of moves from mid-range, he can step out and bury 3s, and he’s legitimately one of the most promising passers in the draft. He should also be able to defend all over the floor.
2022 NBA Draft Big Board — 2. Jabari Smith Jr., Auburn
Jabari Smith Jr. very quickly rose to the top of the draft in the minds of many. At 6-foot-10, he’s possibly the best shooter on the board. He has a beautiful high release that’s impossible to contest, and he’s already great at punishing errant closeouts with long, sweeping strides to the rim. He doesn’t do as much self-creation as Banchero, but the upside is very much there and he has arguably the highest floor in the draft.
2022 NBA Draft Big Board — 1. Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga
Chet Holmgren should be the No. 1 pick on draft night. There are valid concerns about his skinny frame, but he has generational upside on the defensive end and one heck of an offensive skill set. Holmgren is the best rim protector in the draft, with nimble feet in space and preternatural instincts around the rim. He’s Stretch Armstrong, with the ball-handling and shooting skills necessary to breakout as a unique offensive star in the NBA too.