How Good Is The 2022 Draft Class?
Since we’re a couple weeks into the 2023 season, I thought it’d be a good time to check in some members of the 2022 draft class.
Draft classes take a long time to fully evaluate. Every single year their stories and narratives are being changed. The 2022 draft class is still in its infancy. Let’s see how they’re doing in their early stages. This isn’t a projection of how they’re going to do in the league. Rather, an introduction into what we may see of them in the future.
Let’s take a look into the future, ladies and gentlemen.
Paolo Banchero (Orlando)
It seems foolish that there was a debate about who should have been the #1 overall pick. For months, it seemed like the Magic were going to take Jabari Smith. Perhaps it was all smoke and mirrors. A ploy to get who the Magic really wanted – one of the most unique players in the draft’s storied history.
So far, Banchero has been awesome. Historically awesome, in fact. And it’s not just the numbers;
22.9 points ~ 8.5 rebounds ~ 3.6 assists ~ 7.7 FTA ~ 54.3% TS
Banchero has been everything he was hyped up to be and more. Where do I even start? His uncanny ability to draw fouls? His body control and poise when he thunders down the lane? Banchero is off to one of the best starts any rookie has had in the 21st century.
Currently, Paolo is averaging 7.7 free throws per game. Here’s where that ranks amongst other rookies in the 3-PT era (1979-present);
| Player | Season | FTA/g | HOF? |
| David Robinson | 1989-90 | 10.2 | Yes |
| Michael Jordan | 1984-85 | 9.1 | Yes |
| Shaquille O’Neal | 1992-93 | 8.9 | Yes |
| Blake Griffin | 2010-11 | 8.5 | No |
| Alonzo Mourning | 1992-93 | 8.1 | Yes |
| Paolo Banchero | 2022-23 | 7.7 | ?? |
Orlando lets Paolo do whatever he wants offensively. In the past two games against Golden State and Sacramento, Banchero has looked utterly unstoppable. It’s shots like these that have you shaking your head in disbelief;
So far, he’s been the best rookie by a mile. While he needs some improvement around the edges, the Magic didn’t mess up their number one overall selection.
Bennedict Mathurin (Indiana)
Bennedict Mathurin is becoming harder and harder to ignore. Over the past few years, we’ve seen an increase in pure scorers entering the NBA. Mathurin is one of those guys who just gets buckets right after stepping into the league.
Still, I don’t think anybody expected him to be this good this fast. Mathurin hasn’t even started a game in his young career, and he’s already taken Indiana and the league by storm. The best thing about Mathurin is that he’s unique. Not only is he dominating, he’s doing it in an aesthetically-pleasing, sustainable way.
20.7 points ~ 3.9 rebounds ~ 62% TS ~ 6.2 FTA
Mathurin’s defining trait thus far has been his driving ability. When he puts his head down, there’s no stopping him. Mathurin, like Banchero, is getting to the line a lot, averaging 6.2 shots per game at the charity stripe. Some projected Mathurin to be a 3&D wing coming into the draft, and modern 3&D wings need to do things like this;
But it’s Mathurin’s efficiency that really sets him apart from everybody else. His jump shot is compact and lethal. He gets to his spots like he’s done it a thousand times. Mathurin’s +5.2rTS% is otherworldly for someone nine games into his career.
It’s becoming harder and harder to justify not starting Mathurin next to Tyrese Haliburton, who is having another fantastic season in his own right. In their 149 minutes together, the duo is scoring 114.2 points per 100 possessions.
When the Pacers took 00 with the sixth pick in the draft, nobody paid much attention. With each passing day, the Pacers are showing the rest of the league that they have another star guard on their hands.
Jabari Smith (Houston)
With the third overall pick in the draft, the Rockets have the unenviable task of taking Jabari Smith. The Auburn forward fell to them, and they just had to take the 6’11” big who could shoot and handle. What a bummer.
In all seriousness, I thought Smith would fit well on this Rockets team. So far, however, it’s been anything but that;
10.8 points ~ 6.1 rebounds ~ 31% FG ~ 30% 3-PT ~ yikes
Look. Let’s not sugarcoat things. Smith hasn’t looked good as a Rocket thus far. So, what gives? What’s going on? I’ve noticed a few things. For starters, Smith’s jump shot looks flat and lifeless. In his 1/10 performance versus the Clippers, all his jumpers were flat and well short. That sweet stroke from college hasn’t translated just yet.
But Smith’s problems go a lot deeper than that. He’s not allowed to do anything offensively. This season, 53.3% of Smith’s field-goal attempts have been threes. Of those attempts, a whopping 94% of them have been assisted. He’s a bonafide statue.
The Rockets aren’t using him creatively. They’re just kind of sticking him on the perimeter. Just 8.6% of his field goals have come in the restricted area. For a 6’11” bruising forward, that’s laughable.
No matter how talented you are, it’s hard to overcome a bad situation. How successful a player is is heavily predicated on where they’re drafted. So far, the Rockets don’t have the slightest idea on how to use Jabari Smith.
Keegan Murray (Sacramento)
Most people decided to ridicule the Kings for taking Keegan Murray with the fourth pick in the draft (not me.) They wanted the Kings to take yet another guard in Jaden Ivey. After just dealing with the Haliburton debacle, the Kings decided to finally draft someone at a position of need.
While the Kings have struggled out of the gate, Murray has not, despite some tough love from his dad on Twitter. Murray has looked awesome as a fluid scorer at the forward position, from both inside and outside the arc.
13.9 points ~ 3.7 rebounds ~ 58.4% TS
Murray has had his highs and lows, but he’s another NBA-ready prospect. Like Tyrese Haliburton a few years ago, the Kings can lean on Murray a lot. Since their wing position is weak, that’s valuable in it of itself.
Two of Murray’s best games this season have come against the Heat, where he’s displayed his fluidity, shooting, ball-handling, and versatile defense. When he’s on his game, I think Murray is a perfect complement to any team.
He just knows how to find his spots and play within the flow of an offense;
While he may not be the flashiest guy in the world, Murray is going to be solid all year for the Kings. That’s all they could have asked for.
Jaden Ivey + Jalen Duren (Detroit)
Rounding out the rookies I want to talk about, we’re heading to the Motown to talk about Detroit’s two electrifying rookies. Detroit’s two lottery picks have both been excellent thus far donning their new, sexy teal uniforms.
Ivey: 15.0 points ~ 3.3 assists ~ 1.4 steals ~ 44% FG ~ 53% TS
Duren: 7.4 points ~ 6.7 rebounds ~ 1.3 blocks ~ 20.7 minutes ~ 54% TS
Let’s start with Ivey. While his 3-PT jumper hasn’t been connecting, everything else has looked solid. Ivey has been in a score-first mindset with the Pistons, letting Cade Cunningham do most of the facilitating. At times, Ivey’s lightning-fast first step and unreal athleticism let him overpower defenses. But, you’re getting the sense it’s still a work in progress on that end.
Ivey isn’t a surgeon just yet. Ja Morant, someone who has been compared to Ivey throughout his young career, is so much more crafty in the paint. Those little floaters and tough runners are something Ivey has still yet to master. Still, plays like these jaw-dropping;
Now to Duren. Duren is a dynamo of energy. He’s making the most of limited minutes. Still, struggles are to be expected. 18-year-olds often struggle with physicality. It’s a foregone conclusion. Duren will be thrown into the fire this season.
But, the Pistons know they have someone special. Against the Atlanta Hawks, the Pistons had Duren playing point in their zone defense. That’s how highly they think of their 18-year-old ball of energy. Duren has all the potential in the world right now. But, like all talented young bigs, can the Pistons harness it?
Which Rookie Has Impressed You The Most So Far? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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