2022 NBA Draft Class Exceeding Production Expectations

Sandwiched between two highly-lauded classes in 2021 and 2023, 2022 wasn’t thought of to be entirely special by many. But through a good chunk of NBA games, the class is proving they’re more than people thought.

The 2022 class is headlined by No. 1 Paolo Banchero, who met all expectations and then proceeded to smash right through them.

Banchero is averaging 21.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game while shooting 45 percent from the floor. He’s essentially playing like a bonafide All-Star, and has seen the best start to a season for a rookie in a good while.

But it doesn’t stop with Banchero’s play. Indiana’s Bennedict Mathurin, though he’s seen a small dip as of late, has also seen immediate star production, and could be giving other Sixth Man of the Year candidates a run for their money.

Players like Jabari Smith Jr. and Jaden Ivey haven’t gotten off to premier starts, but flashes of stardom are certainly there.

And then of course there’s OKC’s Chet Holmgren, who won’t see action until next year, but was chosen No. 2 overall by Sam Presti and the Thunder for a reason.

The top layers of stars is followed by a core group of mostly lottery picks that, while not flashy, have already begun to make an impact in the league.

Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams, Portland’s Shaedon Sharpe, San Antonio’s Jeremy Sochan and Atlanta’s AJ Griffin have all carved out roles for themselves already, and with a little more time and development could soon find themselves in bigger roles on their respective teams.

Diamonds in the rough are still waiting to be found among the end of the first round and into the second for 2022. But one thing is clear already: the 2022 will have a major impact on the NBA moving forward.

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