Michigan Basketball: Isaiah Livers, DeVante Jones go in NBA mock drafts

Michigan basketball could have multiple players picked in the 2022 NBA draft and here’s the latest mock draft update for the Wolverines.

After Franz Wagner declared for the NBA draft, we knew that Michigan basketball was going to have at least one player selected on draft night.

But according to another 2022 NBA mock draft, the Wolverines could get two former players picked, as Isaiah Livers also showed up in the second round of Jonathan Wasserman’s mock draft for the Bleacher Report.

While Livers foot injury is going to hinder his ability to work out for teams during the pre-draft process, he offers a lot. For one, he’s an exceptional 3-point shooter and connected on 43 percent on his long-range attempts last season.

That was the third consecutive season that Livers shot at least 40 percent from beyond the arc and he leaves Michigan basketball as a career 41-percent shooter from downtown.

Livers is also 6-foot-7 and has some position versatility between the 3/4. He’s probably not a guy that’s going to come in and be a starter right away or anything. But shooting comes at a premium as Duncan Robinson has shown and if Livers can make shots consistently from deep, he’ll stick around in the NBA.

What about Franz Wagner, and DeVante Jones?

The Bleacher Report mock draft actually has Franz Wagner going seventh overall, which is the highest he has reached in any mock drafts yet. Wasserman has Wagner winding up in Golden State, which would be fun, especially with Jordan Poole on the Warriors roster.

Here’s what he wrote about Wagner’s game:

"“Versatile at 6-9 with a well-rounded skill set and excellent defensive IQ/mobility, Wagner could be a plug-and-play option at the three or four spots. Ideally, he becomes a more consistent shooter, but even at 19 years old going on 20 (August), Wagner should pose an immediate threat as a shot-maker, passer and slasher through open lanes with the feet and instincts to guard multiple positions.”"

I fully expect Wagner to be a lottery pick. He’s a really strong two-way player and if he can find consistency with his 3-point shot, the sky really is the limit for him.

However, Wagner and Livers weren’t the only players tied to Michigan basketball showing up in mock drafts as DeVante Jones, went in the 2nd round of the 2022 Draft Expresses’s mock draft.

Even though Jones announced his commitment to Michigan, he is still going through the pre-draft process this year and is declared. It’s likely that he takes his name out of the 2021 draft, just as Livers did last year but if he starts moving up draft boards, it’s not a sure thing.

On a positive note though, it could give Jones even more motivation to go to Michigan. Right now, he’s on the cusp of being an NBA draft pick, so imagine what a good year with the Wolverines, in the Big Ten, would do for this stock?

It’s also nice to know that Jones is viewed as an NBA talent, which makes you feel even better about his addition to the roster next season, assuming he doesn’t stay in the 2021 draft.