NBA Draft: Where the SEC standouts could land

With the 2022 NBA Draft just four days away on June 23, many media outlets have reached their final decisions for where they believe the next batch of potential superstars will land.

The SEC will possibly see nine of its former players’ names get called on Thursday night inside the Barclays Center, which could be the most of any conference, next to the ACC and the Big Ten.

From the top pick to the bottom half of the second round, here’s where I see the SEC stars falling in the draft order:

Jabari Smith (Auburn): No. 1, Orlando Magic

The Magic have quite the decision to make with the first overall pick. Coming into lottery night, it was the trio of Auburn’s Jabari Smith, Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren and Duke’s Paolo Banchero leading the way.

Since the lottery, it’s become a near-consensus amongst the mock drafts that Orlando should ride with the Auburn standout.

I tend to agree, with the main reason being that the organization can’t handle another flop of a draft pick. Smith isn’t guaranteed to succeed in the NBA, but the boom or bust factor isn’t near as dangerous as it is with Holmgren.

In the 2021 draft, Orlando landed two potential big-time role players for the future in Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner. The last time the Magic had the No. 1 pick, they selected Dwight Howard in 2004. Smith has the build and the skill to easily excel at the pro level, and he could be the guy to take the Magic out of play-in and eight seed purgatory.

Shaedon Sharpe (Kentucky): No. 7, Portland Trail Blazers

Oh, Shaedon Sharpe. The surefire Kentucky legend has made quite the stir ahead of draft day. I mean, who wouldn’t take a chance on the future GOAT?

Ultimately, I’m rolling with Portland to take a shot on the kid. Looking at the multiple organizations throughout the top-10 that are on the decline, the Blazers standout. A team that is looking to rebuild while maintaining its face of the franchise.

Dame aside, there is absolutely nothing going for Portland. It also came out as the biggest loser of the lottery, falling to the No. 7 spot. Considering the tip-top players of the draft are sure to be gone, the Blazers have a chance to make a splash.

With Sam Bowie and Greg Oden sure to be in the back of the mind, the Trail Blazers could do with taking a risk. That being said, Sharpe could fall anywhere amongst the top half of the first round, and nobody seems to be eagerly waiting on the Canadian.

TyTy Washington Jr. (Kentucky): No. 17, Houston Rockets

This has been a popular landing spot for the Kentucky point guard in mock drafts, and it’s easy to see why.

Jalen Green is in need of a future backcourt mate, and it sure isn’t going to be the other UK guard on the roster who’s set to make $47 million this upcoming season. Assuming Houston rolls with Holmgren or Banchero with the No. 3 pick, Washington will likely be the top “point” guard available.

A guard trio of Green, Kevin Porter Jr. and Washington could kick the Rockets’ rebuild into high gear. Maybe the allure of a fellow Wildcat could peak the interest of John Wall, too.

Tari Eason (LSU): No. 20, San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs have now missed the playoffs for three straight seasons, which is a weird thing to say.

Between Dejounte Murray, Lonnie Walker and Josh Richardson, there is plenty of stable guard play in San Antonio. Keldon Johnson is doing his best to hold down the fort for forwards, but he needs some help.

Eason is a big who could make an immediate impact on a team who needs some help inside the 3-point line. That gritty LSU style of ball should peak the interest of Gregg Popovich, even if he’s on his way to retirement from coaching.

Kennedy Chandler (Tennessee): No. 22, Memphis Grizzlies

Chandler is a player who is only going to help your team, and Memphis could be in need of a new backup point guard to Ja Morant, dependent on whether or not Tyus Jones returns.

The Tennessee guard is high energy and will likely impress whoever decides to draft him. It’s not out of the question that he could see some meaningful minutes on the court in his rookie year.

The Miami Heat could be another potential landing spot for the former Volunteer.

Walker Kessler (Auburn): No. 28, Golden State Warriors

It has stayed true throughout Golden State’s dominance that the one area the franchise has always been a step behind is at the center position.

It’s no knock on Kevon Looney, who’s managed to be as solid as can be for multiple years now, but there are some questions surrounding James Wiseman. If the Dubs don’t feel secure with the former Memphis big man, they could look in the direction of Kessler late in the first round.

The North Carolina transfer impressed in his lone season at Auburn, bumping up his draft stock. His combo of shot-blocking and shooting translates into today’s NBA, and I could see Golden State giving him a shot.

Jaylin Williams (Arkansas): No. 40, Minnesota Timberwolves

The dog mentality that overtook the Timberwolves this season would benefit nicely with the addition of Jaylin Williams.

Arkansas was a machine at times last season, and he was a big reason why. If he were to immediately play in the NBA and not spend some time in the G-League, Minnesota could do with his presence down low.

Not to mention, his ability of drawing charges will work wonders with NBA officiating.

JD Davison (Alabama): No. 53, Boston Celtics

Davison is one name that has shot up and down the entirety of the second round board, and frankly he could land anywhere with any team.

The talent is there — we all saw it at times at Alabama. There were also times where he looked lost on the basketball court. Boston is known for drafting guards, and they could honestly do with another one on the roster come next season.

A year or two in the G-League could do some good for the once-hyped 19-year-old.

Also, let’s give an honorable mention shoutout to Mississippi State’s Iverson Molinar, who isn’t on many mocks, but I firmly believe will play decent minutes in the NBA at some point.

The NBA Draft is set for Thursday, June 23 on ESPN/ABC at 7:30 p.m. EST.