Tag: 2022 nba draft

2022 NBA draft race: March 11 update for Rockets, Nets picks

With two straight wins, including an emphatic one on Thursday over former teammate James Harden and the 76ers, Brooklyn seems to have stopped its slide for the time being.

With Houston owning one of the NBA’s worst records, the 2022 playoffs are already off the table for the Rockets. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to still watch for as the 2021-22 campaign winds down.

Until the regular season’s conclusion on April 10, we’re regularly updating where the Rockets stand in relation to their closest competitors in the race for 2022 NBA draft odds and positioning.

Houston owns two picks in this year’s first round: Their own, and one from Brooklyn. For purposes of these updates, we’re going to focus on teams (at the time of publication) within three games in either direction of both the Rockets and Nets in the standings.

After a second straight season at the bottom of the West, will the Rockets land another elite prospect such as Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith or Paolo Banchero for their troubles? Scroll on for the latest updates as of March 11, along with information on odds and tiebreaker scenarios.

2022 NBA draft race: March 10 update for Rockets, Nets picks

Though Houston had an unexpected victory on Wednesday versus the Lakers, it didn’t drop them in the draft race since Orlando won, as well.

With Houston owning one of the NBA’s worst records, the 2022 playoffs are already off the table for the Rockets. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to still watch for as the 2021-22 campaign winds down.

Until the regular season’s conclusion on April 10, we’re regularly updating where the Rockets stand in relation to their closest competitors in the race for 2022 NBA draft odds and positioning.

Houston owns two picks in this year’s first round: Their own, and one from Brooklyn. For purposes of these updates, we’re going to focus on teams (at the time of publication) within three games in either direction of both the Rockets and Nets in the standings.

After a second straight season at the bottom of the West, will the Rockets land another elite prospect such as Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith or Paolo Banchero for their troubles? Scroll on for the latest updates as of March 10, along with information on odds and tiebreaker scenarios.

Though Houston had an unexpected win Wednesday versus the Lakers, it didn’t drop them in the draft race since Orlando also won.

Jabari Smith, Walker Kessler on 247Sports latest NBA Draft Big Board

Could Auburn have two first round picks in the NBA Draft?

Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler had dominant regular seasons for Auburn and both were honored by the SEC on Tuesday.

Both were named to the All-SEC First-Team while Smith was named the Freshman of the Year and Kessler the Defensive Player of the Year.

As expected for players who have had such great seasons, both have seen their draft stock skyrocket and Travis Branham of 247Sports included both in his latest 2022 NBA Draft Big Board.

Kessler did not receive a write-up, but he is his 4th ranked center.

When discussing Smith, Branham highlighted his defense, shooting, and development.

-Extremely high floor prospect at 6-foot-10 with the ability to knock down threes at a high rate and can create his own shot.

-On a terrific development curve and trajectory with his consistent and rapid improvement over the last three years.

-Has shown ample amount of flashes as an outstanding defender who can switch on the perimeter and can defend both the four and five as he continues to fill out.

-Great blend of having a high floor and also having high upside. Easy to project how he will impact the game at the NBA level.

-All Star potential.

He only had one concern for Smith.

2022 NBA draft race: March 9 update for Rockets, Nets picks

After losing to the Suns, Orlando moved a half-game ahead of Houston in the race for the No. 1 odds slot in the 2022 NBA draft. However, the Rockets could tie them with a loss Wednesday.

With Houston owning one of the NBA’s worst records, the 2022 playoffs are already off the table for the Rockets. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to still watch for as the 2021-22 campaign winds down.

From now until the regular season’s conclusion on April 10, we’re regularly updating where the Rockets stand in relation to their closest “competitors” in the race for 2022 NBA draft odds and positioning.

Houston owns two picks in this year’s first round: Their own, and one from Brooklyn. For purposes of these updates, we’re going to focus on teams who are currently (at the time of publication) within three games in either direction of both the Rockets and Nets in the standings.

After a second straight season at the bottom of the West, will the Rockets land another elite prospect such as Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith, or Paolo Banchero for their troubles? Scroll on for the latest updates as of March 9, along with information on odds and tiebreaker scenarios.

2022 NBA draft race: March 8 update for Rockets, Nets picks

With Monday’s loss at Miami, the Rockets moved into a tie with Orlando for the No. 1 lottery odds and positioning slot for the 2022 NBA draft.

With Houston owning one of the NBA’s worst records, the 2022 playoffs are already off the table for the Rockets. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to still watch for as the 2021-22 campaign winds down.

From now until the regular season’s conclusion on April 10, we’re regularly updating where the Rockets stand in relation to their closest “competitors” in the race for 2022 NBA draft odds and positioning.

Houston owns two picks in this year’s first round: Their own, and one from Brooklyn. For purposes of these updates, we’re going to focus on teams who are currently (at the time of publication) within three games in either direction of both the Rockets and Nets in the standings.

After a second straight season at the bottom of the West, will the Rockets land another elite prospect such as Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith, or Paolo Banchero for their troubles? Scroll on for the latest updates as of March 8, along with information on odds and tiebreaker scenarios.

2022 NBA draft race: March 7 update for Rockets, Nets picks

Thanks to a monster game on Sunday by Boston’s Jayson Tatum, the outlook for Brooklyn’s first-round pick (due to Houston) in the 2022 NBA draft continues to improve.

With Houston owning one of the NBA’s worst records, the 2022 playoffs are already off the table for the Rockets. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to still watch for as the 2021-22 campaign winds down.

From now until the regular season’s conclusion on April 10, we’re regularly updating where the Rockets stand in relation to their closest “competitors” in the race for 2022 NBA draft odds and positioning.

Houston owns two picks in this year’s first round: Their own, and one from Brooklyn. For purposes of these updates, we’re going to focus on teams who are currently (at the time of publication) within three games in either direction of both the Rockets and Nets in the standings.

After a second straight season at the bottom of the West, will the Rockets land another elite prospect such as Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith, or Paolo Banchero for their troubles? Scroll on for the latest updates as of March 7, along with information on odds and tiebreaker scenarios.

Though the Rockets did win themselves, Sunday was otherwise another positive day on the 2022 NBA draft front, headlined by the 54-point explosion by Boston’s Jayson Tatum in a win over Brooklyn. The Nets are below .500 for the first time since they were 2-3 and have fallen into a virtual tie for the East’s No. 10 seed — which boosts the odds of an incredible scenario where Houston lands two 2022 lottery picks.

2022 NBA draft race: March 6 update for Rockets, Nets picks

Sunday is an important day to watch for 2022 NBA draft purposes, since Houston (home vs. Memphis) and Brooklyn (at Boston) are both in action. Here’s where things stand going in.

With Houston owning the NBA’s worst record at the moment, the 2022 playoffs are already off the table for the Rockets. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t something to watch for as the 2021-22 season winds down.

From now until the regular season’s conclusion on April 10, we’re regularly updating where the Rockets stand in relation to their closest “competitors” in the race for 2022 NBA draft odds and positioning.

Houston owns two picks in this year’s first round: Their own, and one from Brooklyn. For purposes of these updates, we’re going to focus on teams who are currently (at the time of publication) within three games in either direction of both the Rockets and Nets in the standings.

After a second straight season at the bottom of the West, will the Rockets land another elite prospect such as Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith, or Paolo Banchero for their troubles? Scroll on for the latest updates as of March 6, along with information on odds and tiebreaker scenarios.

2022 NBA draft race: March 5 update for Rockets, Nets picks

With Orlando and Detroit winning on Friday, the Rockets took possession of the No. 1 spot for positioning in the 2022 NBA draft.

With the worst record in the Western Conference, the 2022 NBA playoffs are already off the table for the Houston Rockets. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t something to watch for as the 2021-22 season winds down.

From now until the regular season’s conclusion on April 10, we’re regularly updating where the Rockets stand in relation to their closest “competitors” in the race for 2022 NBA draft odds and positioning.

Houston owns two picks in this year’s first round: Their own, and one from Brooklyn. For purposes of these updates, we’re going to focus on teams who are currently (at the time of publication) within three games in either direction of both the Rockets and Nets in the standings.

After a second straight season at the bottom of the West, will the Rockets land another elite prospect such as Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith, or Paolo Banchero for their troubles? Scroll on for the latest updates as of March 5, along with information on odds and tiebreaker scenarios.

2022 NBA draft race: March 4 update for Rockets, Nets picks

Between Detroit shocking Toronto and Kevin Durant’s Nets blowing a big lead versus the short-handed Heat, Thursday was another good night for Houston’s 2022 NBA draft outlook.

With the worst record in the Western Conference, the 2022 NBA playoffs are already off the table for the Houston Rockets. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t something to watch for as the 2021-22 season winds down.

From now until the regular season’s conclusion on April 10, we’re regularly updating where the Rockets stand in relation to their closest “competitors” in the race for 2022 NBA draft odds and positioning.

Houston owns two picks in this year’s first round: Their own, and one from Brooklyn. For purposes of these updates, we’re going to focus on teams who are currently (at the time of publication) within three games in either direction of both the Rockets and Nets in the standings.

After a second straight season at the bottom of the West, will the Rockets land another elite prospect such as Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith, or Paolo Banchero for their troubles? Scroll on for the latest updates as of March 4, along with information on odds and tiebreaker scenarios.

2022 NBA mock draft: Ranking the first-round board for Rockets by tiers

Here’s a fresh look at 2022 NBA draft prospects from a tiers perspective, including a potentially large dropoff after pick No. 5 in the first round.

Mock drafts are useful when it comes to ranking individual prospects in the eyes of NBA draft experts. But when it comes to analyzing draft lottery odds and the importance of certain draft slots, it’s also important to understand the gap — or lack of one — between various pick ranges.

For example, in the 2021 NBA draft, a consensus top three quickly formed among Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, and Evan Mobley. Thus, while Houston winning one of the four lottery spots was beneficial in and of itself, it was also important to land in the top three — which they did, at No. 2 — to emerge with one of the truly elite prospects.

In 2022, there appears to be a significant dropoff after the top-five prospects of Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren, Auburn’s Jabari Smith, Duke’s Paolo Banchero, Purdue’s Jaden Ivey, and Duke’s AJ Griffin.

Should that perceived gap remain in place after the upcoming conference tournaments and NCAA Tournament as part of “March Madness,” that could make it more important for the Rockets to finish with the NBA’s worst record (at the moment, they are tied in the win column for that).

The team that finishes with the worst record cannot drop below No. 5, which would seemingly make Griffin or Ivey the worst-case scenario. As far as sub-optimal lottery outcomes go, that’s a very tolerable result.

With that in mind, here’s a look at how the tiers look — along with the perceived potential of players in each — in the eyes of For The Win draft guru Bryan Kalbrosky. For our purposes, we’ll stick with draft prospects in the top 20, since Houston owns both its own first-round pick and one from Brooklyn, which would currently be at No. 15 overall. The Rockets do not currently own any 2022 second-round picks.

Courtesy of Bart Torvik and Hoop-Math, Kalbrosky included data to help illustrate the playing style of each individual who plays at the NCAA level. Consider it an early March Madness primer.