4 Biggest Winners and Losers of the 2022 NBA Draft

The 2022 NBA Draft went pretty much as planned. There were no blockbuster trades or really huge risks taken. The biggest name moved was Kemba Walker and he’ll most likely be cut by the time you read this.

But with every major sports event, there are winners and there are most definitely losers.

Here are the 4 biggest winners of the 2022 NBA Draft:

1. Nepotism

If you had questions about the Los Angeles Lakers front office and their ability to put together a functioning basketball team, you can rest easy knowing they ended draft night by making two massive signings.

Dreams come true🙏 Let’s get to work #lakeshow 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/dYS6xiJYzL

— Scotty Pippen Jr (@spippenjr) June 24, 2022

Shareef O’Neal has agreed to play in NBA Summer League with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Another O’Neal big man in a Lakers uniform.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2022

The Lakers signed the sons of Scottie Pippen and Shareef O’Neal and ‘signed’ is the important distinction because neither player was good enough to be selected in the actual NBA Draft but thanks to their last names, they were able to find a spot on the Lakers.

This is the laziest shit ever. It’s cool these two kids get the opportunity to earn their spot on the roster but yea, I’d have to imagine there are more talented basketball players who don’t have famous dads (and a famous mom who will sleep with their friends).

LeBron is never winning another championship.

2. The Brunsons

Last year, New York Knicks team president, Leon Rose, spent a first-round draft pick on Obi Toppin. It made no sense to use a first-round pick on a kid who plays the exact same position as Julius Randle who had just come off an All-NBA season.

And then you zoomed in a little further and learned Obi Toppin’s agent is literally Leon Rose’s son at CAA, the agency Rose just left to become the Knicks president.

Now, the Knicks are clearly cap space to sign Jalen Brunson away from the Mavericks and if you’re confused as to why Brunson is randomly the most coveted free agent, look again at Rose’s personal relationships.

Jalen’s father, Rick, was represented by Leon Rose when he played in the NBA in the 90’s. Now Leon is trying to get his client’s son paid. That loyalty is really cool or whatever but acquiring basketball players exclusively based on whether or not you already have their phone numbers in your contacts is horrible team building.

But it’s cool. The Knicks are helping Rick Brunson pay for his happy endings.

3. Detroit Pistons

Heading into the 2022 NBA Draft, we were told there were only 3 potential stars at the top but with the no. 5 pick, Detroit selected Jaden Ivey—a player who I believe has the potential to become an all-star in this league. That all-star potential will only be maximized playing alongside Cade Cunningham who I believe will end his career in the Hall of Fame.

The Pistons also secured 6-foot-11 Jalen Duren. Let’s look at this young core Detroit has built.

18-year-old Jalen Duren

20-year-old Cade Cunningham

20-year-old Jaden Ivey

20-year-old Killian Hayes

21-year-old Isaiah Stewart

23-year-old Marvin Bagley

23-year-old Saddiq Bey

These are all lottery tickets. One of two of these become crucial parts of your team and the rest you trade for more established players.

And now onto the Losers…

1. Sacramento Kings

The Kings passed on Jaden Ivey because they didn’t want to draft another guard when they already have De’Aaron Fox. Lol. It’s amazing they didn’t learn their lesson a few years back when they selected Marvin Bagley instead of Luka Doncic because they didn’t think he could play with Fox.

this is legitimately staggering pic.twitter.com/ShwwPxGxB2

— claire de lune (@ClaireMPLS) June 23, 2022

There is nothing the Sacramento Kings love more than drafting the wrong player.

Now, they are committing to De’Aaron Fox even though he’s played 5 seasons in the NBA and hasn’t done shit. Fox shot 29% from 3 last year. If anything, Fox is getting worse. Maybe stop making roster decisions based on a guy who has yet to prove his talent directly results in winning basketball games.

2. Knicks fans

Ultimately, I think the Knicks will be fine. I’ve already written about the atrocious draft night the organization had but let’s exclusively talk about the fans who have to deal with this nonsense from ESPN

Stephen A is SO TIRED of the Knicks 🤣 pic.twitter.com/fUoc4JYpyj

— Overtime (@overtime) June 24, 2022

There is no country for Knicks fans.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder

As an organization, I actually think the Thunder are huge winners of the draft but the losers are the players on the roster. By hoarding all these draft picks, OKC ends up bringing in like, 20 guys to training camp to fill out a 15-man roster. Practices must be like WWF Royal Rumbles. These teenagers are battling for their careers against other desperate teenagers all because Oklahoma City has taken Leonardo DiCaprio’s dating approach of not allowing anyone older than 25 in the building.

4. Jabari Smith

To the credit of OKC, they’ve gathered a group of teenagers who are like, well-behaved and battle every night against grown ass men. The Houston Rockets, however, not so lucky. Last season, Kevin Porter Jr and Christian Wood were both suspended one game for being assholes.

Christian Wood is now a member of the Dallas Mavericks but the problem still remains. It doesn’t help that new reports say Houston is finally ready to buy out John Wall meaning the one adult in the room is out of there.

Jabari Smith could walk into practice day one and be the best player on the team but will Jalen Green and Kevin Porter accept that?

Pray for Houston.