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Orlando Magic: Jabari Smith, PF, Auburn 
Congratulations to the Magic for winning the lottery! They need a big man to go with their default center, Wendell Carter. Orlando has nothing at power forward, and Jabari Smith is arguably the top prospect in this class. It’s pretty close with Chet Holmgren and even Paolo Banchero and Jaden Ivey, so nothing is set in stone at the moment.
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Oklahoma City Thunder: Chet Holmgren, C, Gonzaga 
The Thunder desperately need size. If Chet Holmgren makes it to No. 2, I’d expect him to be the pick unless Jabari Smith is available. He might be the son of Mike Holmgren – who really knows – but I wouldn’t hold that against him. Holmgren will remain the pick here, as he was last time in this site’s 2022 NBA Mock Draft. -
Houston Rockets: Paolo Banchero, PF, Duke 
The Rockets need mostly everything, so they should just take the best player available. I think that’s Paolo Banchero, though you could make the case for Jaden Ivey. -
Sacramento Kings: Jaden Ivey, SG, Purdue 
I’m still not sure why the Kings traded Tyrese Haliburton, but they’ll need help in the backcourt next to De’Aaron Fox. They could be getting the best player in the draft with this pick. -
Detroit Pistons: Keegan Murray, PF, Iowa 
The Pistons need another big man to go with Isaiah Stewart, so Keegan Murray might seem appealing to them at No. 5. -
Indiana Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin, SF, Arizona 
Malcolm Brogdon could be on the move, per some trade rumors. If he goes, the Pacers will need another wing to go along with Buddy Hield. -
Portland Trailblazers: Shaedon Sharpe, SG, Kentucky 
The Blazers lost C.J. McCollum, so they need a better backcourt mate for Damian Lillard. -
New Orleans Pelicans: Johnny Davis, SF, Wisconsin 
The Pelicans could use another wing to go along with Brandon Ingram, and the Wisconsin product could help fill that void. Johnny Davis was one of the worst coaches in NBA history. Let’s hope his potential son is a better player than his potential dad was a coach. -
San Antonio Spurs: Jalen Duran, C, Memphis 
What the Spurs need most is for Gregg Popovich to regain his sanity. That’s not available at this pick, so they can add a big man to finally replace LaMarcus Aldridge. -
Washington Bullets: Dyson Daniels, SG/SF, Australia 
The Bullets are a truly miserable team. They’re desperate for help at point guard, small forward and center, so they should obtain the top player at one of those positions. -
New York Knicks: A.J. Griffin, SF, Duke
Kemba Walker was a predictable bust signing for the Knicks, so they’ll need to find a new point guard. They could also target a wing like A.J. Griffin, who seems like a great fit. -
Oklahoma City Thunder: Ousmane Dieng, SF, France
Ousmane Dieng will join Mike Holmgren’s potential son in Oklahoma City, filling a big need on the wing. -
Charlotte Hornets: Jeremy Sochan, PF, Baylor 
The Hornets have two picks to get this right. They need frontcourt help to get them over the hump and into the real playoffs. -
Cleveland Cavaliers: Jalen Williams, SG/SF, Santa Clara 
The Cavaliers desperately need help on the wing, so perhaps they’ll take the Santa Clara prospect to fill that void. -
Charlotte Hornets: Mark Williams, C, Duke
I’m sure the Hornets will be hoping that Jalen Duran will fall to them at No. 13. Instead, they’ll have to settle for Mark Williams to perhaps finally cure their woes at center, which have seemingly existed since Alonzo Mourning’s departure.
Go to 2022 NBA Mock Draft: Picks 16-30
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