The 2022 NBA draft is a top-heavy draft class with the same four players projected at the top since the start of the college basketball season. Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren, Auburn’s Jabari Smith, Duke’s Paolo Banchero and Purdue’s Jaden Ivey all played well this season and have maintained their draft stock since November.
Halfway through the NBA season, a few teams started the tanking process to ensure a higher percentage for a top draft pick when the NBA draft lottery rolls around on May 17. The Oklahoma City Thunder sat star rookie Josh Giddey after he suffered a minor hip injury in February.