NBA Mock Drafts 2022: Compare drafts from ESPN, The Athletic, other experts

The 2022 NBA Draft comes your way on Thursday, June 23, but much of the mystery surrounding the top three picks has all but dissipated. 

This year, Auburn's Jabari Smith Jr. seems to be the consensus top overall pick, with Gonzaga big man Chet Holmgren and Duke's Paolo Banchero seemingly locks to fill out the top three selections in the first round.

That doesn't mean that Thursday night will come and go without some signature Association drama. This year's draft seems to be a little lighter on top-end talent, leading the way to lots of potential moving and shaking among teams potentially eyeing the 2023 draft instead.

MORE: NBA Mock Draft 2022 — Popular trio of picks at the top of the first round

All eyes are on the Kings at No. 4 as the team to watch: Rumors suggest Sacramento may be looking to offload the fourth pick, with a number of suitors potentially interested in Purdue guard Jaden Ivey.

However it shakes out, there are plenty of mock drafters who see things the same way in the first round. Here's how many of the top NBA Draft experts see the draft working out come Thursday:

NBA Mock Drafts 2022

Kyle Irving's mock draft (The Sporting News)

Irving's latest mock draft was released on June 22:

Noteworthy:

— Coach K's last gift to the NBA: Four Duke players end up as first-round selections.

— The Warriors, not waiting any longer for James Wiseman to get on the court and make an impact, select Arizona's Christian Koloko at No. 28. Koloko is heralded as a top-tier rim protector.

— The Knicks solidify the front court with Duke's A.J. Griffin. Griffin can bring consistent 3-point shooting to a Knicks offense that needs it.

Kevin O'Connor's mock draft (The Ringer)

O'Connor's last mock draft was released on June 16.

Noteworthy: 

— Should Sacramento stick at No. 4, they'll take Purdue's Jaden Ivey, according to O'Connor. Ivey is an explosive, attacking guard who plays with excellent control.

— Nikola Jovic heads to Gregg Popovich and the Spurs here. The mobile big man can shoot, but needs to continue developing other parts of his game, something that Popovich may be able to help with.

— Three Ignite players are taken in the first round here: MarJon Beauchamp, Jaden Hardy and Dyson Daniels. 

Jonathan Givony's mock draft (ESPN)

Givony's latest mock draft was revealed on June 22:

Noteworthy:

— Ousmane Dieng, a tantalizing prospect, moves up to No. 8 to New Orleans. Dieng can handle, but most of his readiness right now is on the defensive side of the ball. 

— Johnny Davis is a popular pick to the Wizards at No. 10, who has drawn offensive comps to Devin Booker for his scoring ability.

Jonathan Wasserman's mock draft (Bleacher Report)

Wasserman's latest mock draft was revealed on June 15:

Noteworthy: 

— The Warriors take forward Jake LaRavia in Wasserman's most recent mock draft. LaRavia is a high-IQ player who gets comps to Gordon Hayward.

— Wasserman is another who has four Duke players in the first round, with the Grizzlies taking Wendell Moore Jr. No. 22 overall. 

Jeremy Woo's mock draft (Sports Illustrated)

Woo's latest mock draft was released on June 20:

Noteworthy: 

— Woo has Keegan Murray going all the way to the Kings at No. 4.

— Seems like the Mavericks enjoy taking European players, with Woo selecting Nikola Jovic at No. 26. Jovic may be able to fit a scoring role left behind by the Kristaps Porzingis trade.

— Ismael Kamagate is a first-rounder in Woo's latest mock draft. He's an all-around center, who can finish around the rim and defend it, too.

Sam Vecenie's mock draft (The Athletic)

Vecenie's latest mock draft was released on June 21:

— The Warriors take Jovic in Vecenie's mock draft, giving Golden State another shooter. Just what they need.

— Nebraska's Bryce McGowens sneaks into the first round here, going to the Heat at No. 27 overall.

— Benedict Mathurin, top-10 pick? Mathurin goes No. 6 overall to the Pacers at the high end of his projection.