While Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith and Paolo Banchero are the consensus top three prospects in this year’s draft, it’s rare that the top three picks in a draft end up being the three players who enjoy the best pro careers, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz.
The ESPN duo identifies Jaden Ivey, Keegan Murray, Shaedon Sharpe and Dyson Daniels as the other prospects who are the best bets to emerge as top-three players from the 2022 draft class, breaking down the strengths of that quartet and considering which lottery teams might benefit the most from their talents.
We have plenty of draft-related news to pass along:
- Colorado State’s David Roddy has worked out for the Magic, Nuggets and Rockets, Darren Wolfson of KSTP tweets. The power forward is ranked No. 47 on ESPN’s Best Available list.
- Memphis forward Josh Minott has workouts lined up with the Magic, Raptors, Hawks, Spurs, Bulls and Hornets, Adam Zagoria of Zagsblog.com tweets. Minott is ranked No. 48 on ESPN’s Best Available list.
- Buffalo guard Ronaldo Segu will continue to pursue professional opportunities and forgo his remaining year of college eligibility, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports tweets. He averaged 14.9 PPG and 5.1 APG last season.
- Nathan Mensah is withdrawing from the draft and returning to San Diego State, the school announced in a press release. Mensah is the reigning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year.
- Josh Mballa is pulling out of the draft and transferring from Buffalo to Ole Miss, Jeff Goodman tweets. Mballa averaged 13.0 PPG and 8.6 RPG last season.
- Texas Tech guard Adonis Arms has workouts scheduled with the Nuggets, Pistons, Pelicans, Magic and Jazz, Keith Smith of Spotrac tweets.
- Northern Colorado’s Bodie Hume will remain in the draft, Rothstein adds in another tweet. The senior forward averaged 11.0 PPG and 6.2 RPG last season.
- Potential top-10 selection Johnny Davis wants to model his game after Devin Booker. Another potential top-10 pick, Daniels, believes he’s a combination of Tyrese Haliburton offensively and Alex Caruso or Lonzo Ball defensively. Numerous draft prospects told The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov which NBA players they most closely resemble or strive to be.
David Roddy = Dusty Rhodes.
They left out the one that will have the best career apart of the “big 3″… Nikola Jovic!
Watch out for this dude!
Too bad Roddy only measures 6-5. He plays bigger due to weight(250)/strength, and has great small-area moves for getting off a good shot. Fluid, 7-ft wingspan. Could play 1-5 on offense… Defense is a ?. Better than #47.
A versatile player like Roddy would be an interesting player to move around the floor for a coach. As you say, 1-5 on offense. He could turn into an interesting 6th man type player that could create some real mismatches. I’m rootin’ for David…
Seems Davis has been dropping. He’ll still go top 10. I agree with Ivey, Dyson, Murray as potential stars. All very solid picks. I’d put Mathurin, Duren, Agbaji in there too.
TyTy is starting to grow on me. Hope Knicks are giving him a good look.
Got huge Rockets fans in my family. They all want Banchero. Imo best place for Holmgren is OKC. He can take his time there. And get the attention he needs with no pressure. Lots of Steak n potatoes lols.
Banchero is just what the Rockets need. Someone else that doesn’t bother to defend. Run, holler, shoot! Sellout every night as they get beat 155-145.