A Super Draft Class! U.S. Media Re-Ranks the 2022 Lottery Picks: Rockets’ Jabari Smith Jr. Falls to 14th, While Tari Eason Climbs to 11th
As the Portland Trail Blazers reach a four-year, $90 million early extension with 2022 No. 7 pick Shaedon Sharpe, Fansided has released a fresh re-ranking of the 2022 NBA Draft lottery selections. Surprisingly, Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr.—the original No. 3 pick—plummets all the way to 14th, while his teammate Tari Eason soars to 11th.
No. 1: Paolo Banchero (Original: No. 1)
The Orlando Magic shocked everyone by selecting Paolo Banchero without even bringing him in for a pre-draft workout—a decision that turned out to be a masterstroke.
In just a few seasons, Banchero has developed into the undisputed leader of the Magic and one of the brightest young stars in the league. Despite playing for a team that still struggles with offensive spacing, Banchero averaged an impressive 25.9 points per game last season.
With new additions like Desmond Bane, Banchero is expected to take another leap this year. If he can improve his efficiency and advanced metrics, he’ll be well on his way to becoming a perennial All-Star.
No. 2: Jalen Williams (Original: No. 12)
When the Thunder selected Jalen Williams 12th overall, few expected him to blossom into the team’s second star. The original plan centered around Chet Holmgren—but injuries opened the door for Williams to shine.
Williams has since become the perfect sidekick to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, providing scoring, playmaking, and defense with remarkable consistency. During OKC’s championship run last season, he played an indispensable role, earning his first All-Star selection and a spot on the All-Defensive Second Team.
At just 24 years old, Jalen Williams has established himself as one of the league’s most complete two-way wings, with an incredibly bright future ahead.
No. 3: Chet Holmgren (Original: No. 2)
Holmgren’s slight drop in the rankings isn’t due to any shortcomings—his teammate simply shined too brightly.
Despite an early injury setback, Holmgren quickly proved himself to be a perfect fit for the modern NBA: a mobile big who protects the rim at an elite level while spacing the floor. So far, he’s averaged 2.3 blocks per game in his career and served as a steady third option during OKC’s title run.
As his core strength and shooting continue to improve, Holmgren’s ceiling might eventually surpass even that of Jalen Williams.
No. 4–7: Andrew Nembhard (Original: No. 31), Dyson Daniels (No. 8), Walker Kessler (No. 22), Jaden Ivey (No. 5)
This tier features solid contributors who may not be franchise cornerstones but play crucial roles for their teams.
Take Dyson Daniels, for instance—he won the Steals Title, made the All-Defensive Team, and was named Most Improved Player last season, becoming one of the most promising young guards in the East.
No. 8–11: Christian Braun (Original: No. 21), Bennedict Mathurin (No. 6), Shaedon Sharpe (No. 7), Tari Eason (No. 17)
The Houston Rockets are arguably the biggest losers among the top three picks of the 2022 class, failing to land a true franchise player. However, they struck gold at No. 17 with Tari Eason, one of the best 3-and-D forwards of his class.
If not for recurring health issues, Eason would likely rank even higher. With his defensive versatility and growing offensive game, the Rockets are reportedly planning to negotiate an early extension with him before the trade deadline.
No. 12–14: Keegan Murray (Original: No. 4), Jalen Duren (No. 13), Jabari Smith Jr. (Original: No. 3)
Jabari Smith Jr. stands out as the most disappointing player in this re-ranking. Once projected as the top overall pick, Smith fell to the Rockets after being passed over by both the Magic and Thunder.
While he hasn’t developed into a franchise-level star, Smith has carved out a niche as a high-level stretch four. If he can continue to improve his shooting consistency and defensive impact, there’s still hope for a future rise in these rankings.
Final Thoughts
The 2022 NBA Draft continues to age like fine wine—producing an impressive crop of young stars already shaping the league’s future. From Banchero’s rise to superstardom to Jalen Williams’ breakout and Eason’s emergence as a hidden gem, it’s fair to call 2022 a “Super Draft Year” in every sense.
