2022 Draft Winners / Losers

[The-Power]

Magic: legendary smokescreen into BPA Paolo at #1 pick

What good did the smokescreen do them?

[CptCrunch]

Magic: legendary smokescreen into BPA Paolo at #1 pick

What good did the smokescreen do them?

Picking the best player made them a winner. Despite the media narrative pushing Jabari hard.

The smokescreen led to potential rumored trades of Rockets trading up. These rumors were fairly substantial from trusted Rockets media sources. Rockets were content taking the leftover of the 3 at #3, so yes the smokescreen did nothing.

[clyde21]

Magic: legendary smokescreen into BPA Paolo at #1 pick

What good did the smokescreen do them?

Picking the best player made them a winner. Despite the media narrative pushing Jabari hard.

The smokescreen led to potential rumored trades of Rockets trading up. These rumors were fairly substantial from trusted Rockets media sources. Rockets were content taking the leftover of the 3 at #3, so yes the smokescreen did nothing.

probably one of the most useless and irrelevant smokescreens of all time if that's the case. very little evidence pre-draft that Houston was looking to trade up for Bari. they didn't even work him out.

[Upperclass]

Smokescreens only work if you have a player who's being undervalued (Jayson Tatum, Penny) and a player that's the definitive #1 (Fultz, Webber).. otherwise you're just looking at 2.5 guys with essentially the same value

[azcatz11]

What good did the smokescreen do them?

Picking the best player made them a winner. Despite the media narrative pushing Jabari hard.

The smokescreen led to potential rumored trades of Rockets trading up. These rumors were fairly substantial from trusted Rockets media sources. Rockets were content taking the leftover of the 3 at #3, so yes the smokescreen did nothing.

probably one of the most useless and irrelevant smokescreens of all time if that's the case. very little evidence pre-draft that Houston was looking to trade up for Bari. they didn't even work him out.

The only excuse the Magic have is if Paolo was adamant about not working out for the Magic (which I find hard to believe b/c who seriously wouldn't want to be #1 overall regardless of team?)

If their idea was to try to force the Rockets or whoever to attempt to trade up to #1 - well, that's just stupid. That's getting way too cute for your own good. The entire thing is beyond bizarre

[CptCrunch]

Picking the best player made them a winner. Despite the media narrative pushing Jabari hard.

The smokescreen led to potential rumored trades of Rockets trading up. These rumors were fairly substantial from trusted Rockets media sources. Rockets were content taking the leftover of the 3 at #3, so yes the smokescreen did nothing.

probably one of the most useless and irrelevant smokescreens of all time if that's the case. very little evidence pre-draft that Houston was looking to trade up for Bari. they didn't even work him out.

The only excuse the Magic have is if Paolo was adamant about not working out for the Magic (which I find hard to believe b/c who seriously wouldn't want to be #1 overall regardless of team?)

If their idea was to try to force the Rockets or whoever to attempt to trade up to #1 - well, that's just stupid. That's getting way too cute for your own good. The entire thing is beyond bizarre

Jabari and Chet worked out for the Magic.

Paolo did not. In fact Paolo scheduled a workout with the magic then pushed it back repeatedly, that's the last we heard of this. Afaik no one has reported seeing Paolo in Orlando. Usually you can find pics from Twitter/Rockets/Orlando media.

[azcatz11]

probably one of the most useless and irrelevant smokescreens of all time if that's the case. very little evidence pre-draft that Houston was looking to trade up for Bari. they didn't even work him out.

The only excuse the Magic have is if Paolo was adamant about not working out for the Magic (which I find hard to believe b/c who seriously wouldn't want to be #1 overall regardless of team?)

If their idea was to try to force the Rockets or whoever to attempt to trade up to #1 - well, that's just stupid. That's getting way too cute for your own good. The entire thing is beyond bizarre

Jabari and Chet worked out for the Magic.

Paolo did not. In fact Paolo scheduled a workout with the magic then pushed it back repeatedly, that's the last we heard of this. Afaik no one has reported seeing Paolo in Orlando. Usually you can find pics from Twitter/Rockets/Orlando media.

Yeah that's what I was saying - I know he didn't work out for them. I didn't realize he pushed back workouts or whatever. So either he had no interest playing in Orlando or he didn't think Orlando was serious about him. And if it's the latter - the Magic should have pretty clear that they were serious.

I just find it hard to believe a player would not want to be drafted #1, regardless of team, but who knows

[clyde21]

that's his point...in an effort to get Houston to trade up, they didn't work Paolo out? again, for what? what evidence was there that Houston wanted Jabari more than anyone else? just a bizarre smokescreen that made no sense...and clearly (and hilariously) failed if that was the intention.

[clyde21]

also, if Magic clearly wanted Paolo and wasn't thinking about anyone else, why would they be willing to trade down to 3? what if OKC went Paolo #2 and Orlando gets left with Chet?

seems like a dangerous game to play if Paolo's really your guy. it only makes sense if Orlando actually didn't care who between Chet/Bari/Paolo they got, would've been fine with whoever was left @ 3 + whatever they got in the trade down.

[CptCrunch]

The attempted play was clearly something along the lines of 1 for 3 + Jay Gup or Sengun or a Brooklyn pick.

Houston - Jabari
OKC - Chet since OKC has been 'locked' in
Orlando - Paolo

[clyde21]

The attempted play was clearly something along the lines of 1 for 3 + Jay Gup or Sengun or a Brooklyn pick.

Houston - Jabari
OKC - Chet since OKC has been 'locked' in
Orlando - Paolo

worst smokescreen of all time

[Saints14]

Generally agree with what’s been said, a few others IMO:

Really liked the Grizzlies/Sixers trade for both sides. Philly gets a good rotation guard at a nice price that helps them now, and I give Memphis props for being proactive about their free agent situation. LaRavia seems like he’ll fit like a glove and Chandler can be an excellent backup. By trading a guard for wing prospects they’re moving towards a more Ja-centric model which seems appropriate

Loser: thought Christian Braun was a reach at 21 and hate Peyton Watson in the first, so Denver

[Catchall]

Winners:
** Orlando - Got the best player in the draft.
** Houston - Jabari Smith and Tari Eason are potentially high-level starters.
** Detroit - Ivey and Duren both have All Star potential and fit nicely with Cade.
** OKC - Chet, Jalen and Ousmane are all high-upside prospects that add length and versatility.
** Miami - Got a high-level prospect in Jovic with a late 1st.
** Dallas - Got a lottery-level talent in Hardy for a 2RP.
** Minnesota - Got Moore and Brown as late picks.

[JJ_PR]

Winners:
Detroit Pistons - Got a perfect fit next to Cunningham & upgraded their center spot.
Houston Rockets - Getting Jabari alone was a win, but they also got Eason & Washington.
Orlando Magic - Banchero has massive upside.
Oklahoma City Thunder - Presti keeps proving why he's one of the best in the business.

Losers:
New York Knicks - Just an awful sequence, trading Dieng for 3 heavily protected firsts.

[K_chile22]

Magic: legendary smokescreen into BPA Paolo at #1 pick

What good did the smokescreen do them?

Picking the best player made them a winner. Despite the media narrative pushing Jabari hard.

The smokescreen led to potential rumored trades of Rockets trading up. These rumors were fairly substantial from trusted Rockets media sources. Rockets were content taking the leftover of the 3 at #3, so yes the smokescreen did nothing.

As a rockets fan who tries to see everything about his team I saw zero people saying a trade up was possible

[HardenGoat]

Winners:

Houston - Jabari Smith, Tari Eason, UDFA Trevor Hudgins
I probably give Houston the throne for the best draft for the 2nd year in a row. Jabari should have been the top pick and his big shot making ability will complement Jalen Green well. Tari Eason was very good value where they were at and he can bring a defensive presence. Trevor Hudgins is one of the best shooting UDFAs. On Jabari alone, this was an A+ draft.

Detroit - Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren, Gabriele Procida
Ivey has some of the highest upside in this class and he should complement Cade well, operating off ball at times, but also creating open opportunities with his explosiveness. Duren fits as a lob threat and represents another active top level athlete. Procida is one of the most underrated international picks and he has the athleticism to contribute.

Milwaukee - MarJon Beauchamp, Gui Santos, Hugo Besson, UDFA Iverson Molinar, UDFA AJ Green
The Bucks had the draft I was hoping my Grizzlies had. Beauchamp is incredibly underrated and plays with a chip on his shoulder. He fills the prototype of a lengthy wing with upside. While different prospects, Gui Santos falls under the lengthy wing with good ball skills archetype. Besson was also incredibly underrated, as he showed out at the Combine. The Bucks traded for two late round steals. In undrafted free agency, they nabbed two of the best point guards at the Combine and G League Elite respectively (not the best, but among the best as Nembhard was really good). Molinar has incredible explosiveness and Green was the best playmaker at the G League Elite Camp.

San Antonio - Jeremy Sochan, Malaki Branham, Blake Wesley, UDFA Dominick Barlow
This is another super win draft for me. Sochan is one of the best players in this draft and a legit defensive force in the making. I like his ability to stretch it, which I think will improve in time. Branham was completely overlooked in this draft, but he was a top 10 or so talent. Wesley I do not believe is anything special as far as prospects go, but he could develop if he has the right attitude. Barlow should have been drafted and has the athleticism, size, and tenacity to make this team and contribute down the road.

Houston also got TyTy Washington at an an absurd 29th pick while picking up 2 future second rounders. He was projected in the lottery before an ankle injury cost him playing time and then trying to build back from it.

[babyjax13]

Winners:

Houston - Jabari Smith, Tari Eason, UDFA Trevor Hudgins
I probably give Houston the throne for the best draft for the 2nd year in a row. Jabari should have been the top pick and his big shot making ability will complement Jalen Green well. Tari Eason was very good value where they were at and he can bring a defensive presence. Trevor Hudgins is one of the best shooting UDFAs. On Jabari alone, this was an A+ draft.

Detroit - Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren, Gabriele Procida
Ivey has some of the highest upside in this class and he should complement Cade well, operating off ball at times, but also creating open opportunities with his explosiveness. Duren fits as a lob threat and represents another active top level athlete. Procida is one of the most underrated international picks and he has the athleticism to contribute.

Milwaukee - MarJon Beauchamp, Gui Santos, Hugo Besson, UDFA Iverson Molinar, UDFA AJ Green
The Bucks had the draft I was hoping my Grizzlies had. Beauchamp is incredibly underrated and plays with a chip on his shoulder. He fills the prototype of a lengthy wing with upside. While different prospects, Gui Santos falls under the lengthy wing with good ball skills archetype. Besson was also incredibly underrated, as he showed out at the Combine. The Bucks traded for two late round steals. In undrafted free agency, they nabbed two of the best point guards at the Combine and G League Elite respectively (not the best, but among the best as Nembhard was really good). Molinar has incredible explosiveness and Green was the best playmaker at the G League Elite Camp.

San Antonio - Jeremy Sochan, Malaki Branham, Blake Wesley, UDFA Dominick Barlow
This is another super win draft for me. Sochan is one of the best players in this draft and a legit defensive force in the making. I like his ability to stretch it, which I think will improve in time. Branham was completely overlooked in this draft, but he was a top 10 or so talent. Wesley I do not believe is anything special as far as prospects go, but he could develop if he has the right attitude. Barlow should have been drafted and has the athleticism, size, and tenacity to make this team and contribute down the road.

Just wanted to say this was a great post : )

[clyde21]

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[LofJ]

I liked Indiana and Minnesota's drafts.

I would have gone with Daniels instead of Mathurin, but I loved what they did in the 2nd round picking up Nembhard and Kendall Brown. Nembhard is the guy I hoped would drop to the Hornets. I imagine Brown must have some red flags to drop as far as he did, but where they got him it's worth the risk.

The Wolves also picked up two guys I really liked in Kessler and Moore. I think they're both immediate rotation players, which you should be pretty happy with drafting in the late first.

I didn't like the Spurs draft. Sochan was a great pick, but I hated what they did with their other two picks. They either needed to consolidate their picks to move up or trade out for a future pick. They're now really overloaded with guards and have awful frontcourt depth. I suspect they're going to make a big trade though, so maybe their grade should be an incomplete at the moment.

[tidho]

If CLE isn't a draft loser they're real close.

Agbaji is fair value for 14.

They went win now in the first, then took three 2nds with no hope of any of them helping near term.

They ignored their biggest need - someone to guard big SFs (Tatum, Butler, etc.), taking a draft and stash project C when Liddell or Brown were available to them in the 2nd round.

The complicated the already over crowded SG position, and may have given Sexton one last push toward wanting out the door.