The Detroit Pistons have the 5th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, but could possibly add another top-10 pick if they pull off the much-rumored Jerami Grant trade.
It’s a tough call for Detroit, as the idea of adding two top-10 picks has to be enticing, but Grant is one of the Pistons only veteran contributors, wants to be with the team and showed after he came back from injury that he is willing to take a different role.
Trading him for another young player would potentially set the Detroit Pistons up for sustained success, but would almost certainly make them worse in the short term and they’d be putting a lot of faith in the idea that one of the players would eventually be better than Jerami Grant.
It’s a big roll of the dice, especially when the Detroit Pistons already have Cade Cunningham and would like to put a winning team on the floor around him sooner rather than later.
Trading Grant will require a lot of patience from fans, as it could set the team up for yet another losing season, which won’t be tolerable for much longer.
But in this 2022 NBA mock draft, well look at what might happen if the Detroit Pistons move Jerami Grant for a top-10 pick.
2022 NBA Mock Draft: Pick #1
The top-3 of the 2022 NBA Draft could go in a lot of ways even though most experts think the “Big 3” will be there in some order.
I’m not sure the 2022 NBA Draft has a “Big 3,” so it is very possible we’ll see a shakeup and the order will not go to scratch.
But I do think Orlando is going to take Jabari Smith, as he is the best fit and might have the highest floor in this draft considering his size and ability to shoot the 3-ball.
Holmgren is also a questionable fit with the bigs they already have, so Orlando will most likely make Jabari Smith the #1 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
2022 NBA Mock Draft: Pick #2
Of the teams in the top-3, I’d say the Thunder are the most likely to do something unexpected and could even trade back from this spot. No one is really sure if this will finally be the season the Thunder actually try to win, or if they will tank it up again for the chance to try and get Victor Wenbanyama.
This is also a spot I could see the Detroit Pistons trying to trade up to get into, especially if the Magic took someone other than Jabari Smith with the first pick.
But in the end, I think Holmgren’s upside will be too much for them to pass on, especially considering the Thunder have so many future draft picks and really don’t need to stockpile any more by trading back.
Another possibility would be for the Thunder to put some of their assets on the table and try to trade for a young star, but I see that as a long shot. They’ll probably just take Holmgren and add him to a weird but talented young core.
2022 NBA Mock Draft: Pick #3
While I do think the Rockets will hesitate and consider Jaden Ivey here, in the end, the idea of pairing Banchero with Jalen Green will be too enticing to pass up.
However, if the Rockets have clearly identified Ivey or someone else as the best player available here, I wouldn’t be shocked to see them go in a different direction.
It seems like the Rockets might actually be in the best spot here, as they can just take whoever falls and all of them are a fit. They get to grab one of the “Big 3” without the pressure and scrutiny of choosing which one.
Banchero and Green would be a tough pairing to stop right away and would put the Rockets on track to be good again soon.
2022 NBA Mock Draft: Pick #4
I’ve said that the Kings are the hardest team to figure out in the 2022 NBA Draft, as they have no clear plan and already have two young and talented guards. There is literally nothing that would surprise me here, as the Kangz could trade this pick, grab someone unexpected or just take the best player available regardless of fit.
The Kings have also said that they might be willing to move this pick for a player who could help them win now, in which case there might be some interest from the Detroit Pistons, especially if they think the Kings are going to take the guy they want.
Either way, it’s the Kings who will likely determine who the Detroit Pistons draft, as if they pass on Ivey, Detroit will almost certainly pounce on him.
Even though Ivey might not be a clear fit, he and De’Aaron Fox would give the Kings one of the most athletic and dynamic backcourts in the NBA.
2022 NBA Mock Draft: Detroit Pistons #5
I know a lot of fans of the Detroit Pistons wouldn’t be happy with this pick, as they think Shaedon Sharpe, a guy who hasn’t played above the high school level, has more upside than Murray, who is already 21-years-old.
But Troy Weaver can’t afford to miss on this pick, and Sharpe might be a little too risky in the top-5, especially if the Detroit Pistons are going to make a trade to get another pick in the top-10.
I also think the Pacers would love Murray and would potentially try to trade up to get him, in which case the Detroit Pistons might move back and take Sharpe 6th.
It’s a tough call, as Sharpe’s talent is intriguing, but he also has the biggest bust potential, while Murray could be a starter and contributor from day one and would also give the Pistons their replacement for Jerami Grant.
Murray’s “upside” is all people seem to talk about while ignoring that he was a late bloomer who was an efficient three-level scorer who plays defense and has a non-stop motor. He’ll also have a big chip on his shoulder and be ready to prove all this upside talk is nonsense.
I think Murray has the best chance to be next season’s Scottie Barnes, the guy who drops out of the top-3 but wins Rookie of the Year anyway.
It’s also possible that the Detroit Pistons can take Murray here and still get an elite shooting guard with the pick they get from trading Grant.
2022 NBA Mock Draft: Pick #6
Sharpe doesn’t really seem like a Pacers pick, as they tend to be a little more conservative, but his upside and potential fit will be too much to pass up.
The Pacers are another team that could go in a lot of directions here, and if Sharpe were to fall to them, I have a feeling they would trade back with someone who was desperate to land him.
But if they do keep the pick, Sharpe does make sense, as he’d give them another shot creator on the wing, as well as the athleticism that they currently lack, as they don’t really have any high flyers.
I love his fit with Tyrese Haliburton and he’d give the Pacers their backcourt of the future.
2022 NBA Mock Draft: Pick #7-The Detroit Pistons trade Jerami Grant
I am still dubious that the Trail Blazers would be willing to trade a top-10 pick for just one guaranteed year of Jerami Grant, but we’ll roll with it in this scenario.
The Detroit Pistons have to take back Eric Bledsoe, who is washed and makes just under $20 million next season, which isn’t great, as it eliminates any cap benefits they’d get from trading Grant.
But that will be the cost to get the 7th pick and luckily for the Detroit Pistons, there is a guy there who would be a nice fit.
The Detroit Pistons grab their shooting guard with the 7th pick and now have one of the biggest backcourts in the NBA, a dynamic young starting five and a team that should be able to shoot the ball much better than last season.
Given his size and defensive upside, Mathurin may end up being the best shooting guard in the 2022 NBA Draft and would give the Detroit Pistons a lineup that looked like this:
- Cade Cunningham (6’6″)
- Bennedict Mathurin (6’4″)
- Saddiq Bey (6’8″)
- Keegan Murray (6’8″)
- Isaiah Stewart (6’9″)
As the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics have shown, you can win in the NBA without a traditional point guard or center if you have big playmakers and switchable defenders. This would give the Detroit Pistons a five-man group where all five guys can switch on the perimeter and post.
Mathurin and Murray would give Cade Cunningham the three-point weapons he lacked this season and the Detroit Pistons would be set up for the future, but VERY YOUNG.
While this is enticing, there would be some growing pains and this team might win even fewer games than this season. I think a lot of fans of the Detroit Pistons would jump at this opportunity but buyer beware, if one or both of these guys don’t work out, this team is going to be bad for the foreseeable future.
2022 NBA Mock Draft: Pick #8
The New Orleans Pelicans made the playoffs but are still in the lottery of the 2022 NBA Draft because of the futility of the Los Angeles Lakers.
I hate the Lakers, so it was nice to see them not even make the play-in and then lose their pick anyway.
The New Orleans Pelicans are another possible trade partner for the Detroit Pistons, as they don’t really need any more young players and might be inclined to trade this pick if they can get a veteran contributor who can help them win now.
If not, Daniels is a guy who has rocketed up draft boards and some even believe he is a candidate for the top-5, so the Pelicans would be happy to get him here.
He fits in immediately off their bench as a defender and would give them another long, versatile player who can guard multiple spots.
2022 NBA Mock Draft: Pick #9
The Spurs made the play-in this season and still walked way with the 9th pick, so they have to be pretty excited.
They’d be even more excited if Griffin fell to them here, as he might be the best 3-point shooter in the 2022 NBA Draft, which is a skill the Spurs desperately need.
He’s a nice fit with Dejounte Murray and Josh Primo and would give the Spurs a good young core to build around. If the Spurs could get a guy like Griffin, they’d also be in a position to make a trade to add a star player and go for it now.
I think the Spurs are another wildcard in this draft, as they could easily trade back here, especially if someone was desperate to move up and willing to offer a future first rounder to move back a few spots.
Griffin falling this far would give the Spurs some leverage in a trade.
2022 NBA Mock Draft: Pick #10
If the Wizards decide to extend Bradley Beal instead of trading him, Sochan makes a lot of sense for them, as he’ll be ready to contribute right away.
The Wizards already have a some skill guys in Beal, Porzingis, and Advija, so it makes sense to grab a guy like Sochan, who is a big and versatile defender who will grab rebounds, run the floor and do the little things to help them win.
Personally, I think the Wizards would be insane not to trade Beal, as they are going to stink with or without him and are about to tie themselves up for the foreseeable future with no real way to improve.
2022 NBA Mock Draft: Pick #11
Welcome back, Knicks!
After one good season, the Knicks are back to their rightful place as one of the hot messes of the NBA. Their payroll is top heavy with guys who are not superstars, they have a lot of money tied up in old, declining players, their young guys are mid and they have no real way to get better. Feels like things are back to normal (sorry Knicks’ fans, I know you deserve better).
They could go a lot of directions here and taking a big might make sense depending on what they want to do with Mitchell Robinson.
But I love Davis in Madison Square Garden, as he is a big game player and will thrive under those lights. Davis is being slightly undervalued in this draft and will be eager to prove he belongs in the discussion for the top-5.
He’s a good fit with the guards they already have and would allow them to try and move Evan Fournier (good luck!).
2022 NBA Mock Draft: Pick #12
The Thunder could walk away from the 2022 NBA Draft with their starting front court if they can get both Holmgren and Duren, two guys who are nearly ideal fits together and would potentially give the Thunder some of the best rim protection in the NBA.
Although Duren is a guy who will take some time to develop, he is already very good at running the floor, catching lobs and blocking shots, the only three things he’d be asked to do. He’d provide some muscle next to Holmgren and give the Thunder some really intriguing lineup/rotation possibilities.
The Thunder have a chance to set themselves up for the foreseeable future in this draft and I do think fans of the Detroit Pistons would be somewhat jealous if they were to walk away with these two guys.
2022 NBA Mock Draft: Pick #13
The Charlotte Hornets are going to pick someone who can help them win now and Eason is one of the prospects who will be most ready to make an impact right away.
The Hornets already have their skill guys, so what they could use is some hustle, heart and defense, which Eason will provide.
He already has an NBA frame, can guard multiple spots and switch from the post to perimeter, run the floor and hit 3-point shots.
He’s an ideal fit with what they already have and would be ready to play from day one. I love Eason and think he will be one of the sleepers of the 2022 NBA Draft.
2022 NBA Mock Draft: Pick #14
This might be the first big surprise of the 2022 NBA Draft, but Branham is a guy who has been very impressive in the combine and is now predicted by some experts to be a lottery pick.
He makes a lot of sense for the Cavaliers, as they will need scoring (especially if they let Sexton go) and Branham is an efficient shooter/scorer from all three levels.
He shot over 50 percent from 2-point range and over 40 percent from 3-point range, so he’d be a guy who could potentially come off the Cavs’ bench and give them buckets as a rookie.
Branham would give the Cavaliers a backcourt partner for Darius Garland and allow them to walk away from Sexton.
2022 NBA Mock Draft: Pick #15-20
#15-Charlotte Hornets via New Orleans
Mark Williams: Center, Duke
#16-Atlanta Hawks
Ochai Agbaji: Guard, Kansas
A shooter to put with Trae Young, would allow them to trade Huerter
#17–Rockets via Nets
Ousmane Dieng: Forward, New Zealand
#18-Chicago Bulls
Kendall Brown: Forward, Baylor
#19-Minnesota Timberwolves
Kennedy Chandler: Point guard, Tennessee
#20-Spurs via Raptors
E.J. Liddell: Power forward, Ohio State
2022 NBA Mock Draft: Pick #21-30
#21-Denver Nuggets
Patrick Baldwin Jr.: Forward, Milwaukee
#22- Memphis Grizzles via Jazz
Jaden Hardy: Guard, G-League
#23-Brooklyn Nets via 76ers
Wendell Moore: Forward, Duke
#24-Milwaukee Bucks
TyTy Washington: Point guard, Kentucky
#25-San Antonio Spurs via Celtics
Blake Wesley: Guard, Notre Dame
#26-Dallas Mavericks
Nikola Jović: Forward, Mega Bemax
#27-Miami Heat
Trevor Keels: Point guard, Duke
#28-Golden State Warriors
Christian Braun: Guard/wing, Kansas
#29-Memphis Grizzlies
Christian Koloko: Center, Arizona
#30-Thunder via Suns
Jean Montero: Guard, G-League