NBA Draft 2022: Hot Takes from Top Mock-Draft Experts for 1st-Round Prospects

The most drama in the 2022 NBA draft could start with the No. 4 overall pick.

Jabari Smith, Chet Holmgren and Paolo Banchero are expected to land in the top three picks on Thursday, and it could be in that order based on most mock drafts.

The speculation surrounding the No. 4 pick that belongs to the Sacramento Kings casts a wider net because of the prospects available.

Jaden Ivey and Keegan Murray are the likely options for the Kings, but there is also potential for a trade that brings one team up in the order to take one of those two Big Ten prospects, Shaedon Sharpe, Dyson Daniels or another prospect.

Sacramento's decision will shape the rest of the draft in terms of potential trades or prospects who fall because of an unexpected selection.

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All Eyes on Sacramento

The Sacramento Kings are one of the most unpredictable franchises in the NBA.

After all, this is a team that unexpectedly traded Tyrese Haliburton for Domantas Sabonis at last season's trade deadline.

Anything is possible for the Kings from a trade down to a surprise pick at No. 4 that could be Shaedon Sharpe.

Sharpe attended Kentucky, but he did not play for the Wildcats. Despite that, he is expected to be in the mix for a top-five pick. Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman pointed out that Sharpe could be a good fit next to De'Aaron Fox.

"The Sacramento Kings would make the most sense, given how his shooting/shot-making would fit next to De'Aaron Fox. He's in the conversation for the Detroit Pistons at No. 5 and likely every team picking sixth to 10th. It's difficult to picture him getting past both the San Antonio Spurs and Washington Wizards," Wasserman wrote.

Jaden Ivey and Keegan Murray would be the experienced options for Sacramento to choose from, but it may benefit the Kings to trade down if a team offers the right package to move up for one of the Big Ten playmakers.

The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor mocked Ivey to the Kings with a trade on the horizon.

"Trading down would be a wise decision if a strong offer is on the table to gain assets and still draft a top prospect," O'Connor said.

There are a lot of factors that will go into Sacramento's selection, but there seems to be a set group of prospects for it to choose from at No. 4. The talent pool gets a bit wider once you go further down the top 10 because of team needs and different evaluations on players from franchises in those positions.

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Experts Split On Indiana's Decision at No. 6

The most recent mock drafts are undecided on what the Indiana Pacers will do at No. 6.

Indiana's selection will not be as impactful on the draft as Sacramento at No. 4, but it could have a trickle-down effect on the rest of the top 10.

Wasserman and ESPN.com's Jonathan Givony believe Arizona's Bennedict Mathurin is the right selection at No. 6.

"He would give the Pacers a strong backcourt rotation with Malcolm Brogdon, Tyrese Haliburton and Chris Duarte. Many teams are kicking the tires on what it would take to acquire Brogdon or Myles Turner in a trade, but the asking price for both is said to be high," Givony wrote.

O'Connor believes Keegan Murray would be perfect for the Pacers alongside Myles Turner:

"Murray is a dream fit next to Myles Turner as a floor spacer who can also defend on the perimeter. In a way, Murray is a bit like Domantas Sabonis—if the latter were a better defender, a knockdown shooter, and a low-maintenance offensive presence. Murray doesn’t need plays run for him, which means more of the offense should continue to run through Tyrese Haliburton."

Woo chose Wisconsin's Johnny Davis as his pick for the Pacers at No. 6 because of his two-way ability:

"In a scenario like this, Davis makes a lot of sense for Indiana as a proven scorer and defender, and an intense competitor and worker who vibes with what the Pacers have historically valued in draft picks. He boasts an unusually adept mid-range touch that teams hope will lead to more consistency from deep, and his rapid development points to even more room for growth, considering how seriously he takes his craft."

Although the experts do not have a unanimous pick for the Pacers, the thought process seems to be the same.

Indiana needs a backcourt scorer to complement Haliburton's passing ability and to play well with Myles Turner.

Mathurin, Murray and Davis are just a few who could be available. Sharpe may fall to No. 6, and the Pacers may take a shot at his upside. The same could be said for Dyson Daniels, who comes from the G-League Ignite squad.

Ohio State's Malaki Branham may be too much of a stretch at No. 6, but he fits the profile that the experts believe the Pacers will select as well.

Any of the players mentioned above could go from No. 4-No. 10 in the draft, but the Pacers have to land the prospect they think will be the right fit to accelerate their success.