Stock Report on Top 2022 NBA Draft Prospects

Consider these lottery names that scouts have mentioned most often over the past few weeks.Stock report: Losing No. 1 overall steam, but still top threeLatest stretch: Six games, 15.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, 50.0% 3PTChet Holmgren doesn't receive Paolo Banchero's No. 1 option touches, but he's still consistently producing numbers and tantalizing highlights.In a 22-point effort against San Francisco on Thursday, he hit two threes and a pair of mid-range jumpers, scored on a drive past a closeout and blocked four shots. And defensively, though he's capable of making highlight blocks around the basket, he can be vulnerable closing out or guarding in space, and his defensive motor isn't always turned up.Still, between Banchero's physicality, creating and dishing and shot-making versatility, scouts see a surefire pro scorer whom NBA teams can immediately start running offense through.Stock update: Unchanged/Projected top-five pick Latest stretch: Nine games, 17.6 points, 2.3 assists, 44.8 percent FG, 44.4 percent 3PTEven if some holes in Jaden Ivey's half-court skills occasionally show, scouts still detect more star potential than with any other guard.His special athletic ability isn't just for show. But it's not a red flag that will set off alarms, and given the jump he made from his freshman to sophomore year, scouts seem comfortable betting on his ability to continue developing.Stock update: Moving into top-five conversationLatest stretch: Six games, 24.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 43.9 percent FG, 39.4 percent 3PTOnce Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero and Jabari Smith come off the 2022 draft board, the team picking fourth will be debating between a group of five to 10 prospects. Johnny Davis is becoming one of the headliners of this tier, as scouts are buying into his breakout and incredible transformation into a shot-creating lead scorer.Aside from his 22.3 points per game ranking fifth in the country, he's hit a number of clutch shots while demonstrating the toughness and competitiveness that point to a higher floor and winning teammate, regardless of how well his skills translate.But he's climbed boards by taking over games with improved ball-handling for slashing and self-creation, plus the ability to hit contested dribble jumpers (38 half-court makes on pull-ups). He also hasn't flashed too much playmaking for a 6'5" guard.But in the draft's second tier, none of these concerns figure to hold much weight, especially given his ability to score off the ball (spot-up, cuts) and his defensive tools, energy and IQ.AJ Griffin (Duke, SF/PF, Freshman)Latest stretch: Seven games, 11.9 points, 54.7 percent FG, 46.9 percent 3PTPlaying almost exclusively off the ball, Griffin is making the most of his complementary role. If teams aren't sold on Chandler being a quality starting point guard, he'll become vulnerable to a slide into the 20s or 30s.Keegan Murray (Iowa, PF, Sophomore)Latest stretch: Nine games, 23.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, 59.7 percent FG, 37.2 percent 3PTRegardless of what happens from here, it's difficult to picture Murray rising into the top five or falling outside the lottery.He's averaging 22.8 points with enough NBA traits for teams to picture a surefire contributor. (Kentucky, PG/SG, Freshman)Latest stretch: Eight games (not including at Auburn), 15.3 points, 6.0 assists, 54.9 percent FG, 44.0 percent 3PTScouts see a well-rounded player and tough competitor in Washington.Now he has to recover from an ankle injury suffered against Auburn, but at this point, he's flashed comforting combo-guard versatility by shooting 39.7 percent from three, 45.4 percent on pull-ups and 58.6 percent on floaters while totaling 83 assists to 32 turnovers.Washington has looked comfortable enough in different roles, creating for teammates and operating as a go-to scorer like he did against Tennessee (28 points, 13 shots) on January 15.One of the criticisms from scouts has been that no specific trait or skill pops off the screen.