What Should The Detroit Pistons Do In The 2022 NBA Draft
In the 2022 NBA Draft, three prospects seem to stand above the rest. The consensus top three include Jabari Smith Jr, Chet Holmgren, and Paolo Banchero. Before the 2022 NBA Draft Lottery, the Detroit Pistons seemed poised to land one of these three players as they had about a 52% chance to land a top-three pick. However, after sliding to pick five the Pistons are left to reevaluate their draft boards.
Many things can change between now and draft night. The Pistons could move Jerami Grant, which would greatly change their draft strategy. Meanwhile, some players will rise up draft boards as others fall. Behind the top three players in the draft, the next tier of players includes Jaden Ivey, Shaedon Sharpe, and Keegan Murray. Detroit will be left to pick one of these three players, depending on which direction the Sacramento Kings go at pick four. Right now, let’s look at what each of these players would bring to Detroit.
Jaden Ivey- Guard from Purdue
Ivey would be a great selection for the Detroit Pistons as he looks like the best guard in the 2022 NBA Draft. If Ivey gets past the Kings at four, Detroit will have a hard time passing on him. Adding Jaden Ivey to a backcourt with Cade Cunningham would create a lethal combo.
Watching Ivey play in college was a privilege. His incredible athleticism made it feel like you were watching an NBA player play in college. His ability to beat his man off the dribble and elevate for a poster at the rim was unmatched. If he did not slam it home, he would use creative layups to get the ball in the hoop. This athleticism also translated to transition offense. Ivey ran the floor incredibly well, with or without the ball, and used that finishing ability to get points on the fast break.
One of the knocks on Ivey is his three-point shooting ability. These concerns are largely based on his freshman season where he shot 25% from the three. However, in his sophomore season, he shot 35% with an increase in shot attempts. He will probably never be an elite three-point shooter in the NBA but he should be effective in catch-and-shoot scenarios while creating some shots for himself.
The biggest knock on Ivey is his defense. He is not a bad defender per se but he needs to put in more effort. He is not bad in one-on-one iso situations and can get steals on the perimeter. However, the defensive struggles appear when he is guarding off-ball and when he works through screens. In terms of draft stock, these defensive question marks are not large enough to make him slide below any other guard.
Shaedon Sharpe- Guard/Wing from Kentucky
There are plenty of reasons for the Detroit Pistons to be weary of Sharpe as he is the biggest unknown of the 2022 NBA Draft. Sharpe was the No. 3 player coming out of high school after reclassifying to the 2021 class. Despite committing to Kentucky, Sharpe never stepped on the court for the Wildcats. Without any college or G-league experience, it is tough to project Sharpe at the next level. With that being said, his potential will make him an interesting option to any team that wants an athletic shooting guard. If Ivey is off the board at five, the Pistons may look to Sharpe to complete their backcourt.
Sharpe has a lot of the same tools as Ivey. Actually, if Sharpe would have gone to college and played like Ivey, his freshman season would have been considered a success. Sharpe’s athleticism is the one tool that is guaranteed to translate to the league. He can jump out of the gym. It is as simple as that. This is evident in drives, cuts to the hoop, and in transition. His ability to cut from the corner and catch lobs would look good in Detroit as Cunningham will be able to throw him those lob passes.
The comparison to Ivey can be seen once again in their shooting abilities. Sharpe may be a good shooter. Or he may not be. The biggest thing here will be his ability to create a shot for himself. The difference between perimeter defense in high school and the NBA is massive. If he is unable to create shots for himself, his ceiling will not nearly be as high.
At the end of the day, Sharpe will be the highest risk-reward player in the draft. He could be an all-star or bench player with hops. On one hand, you can hit a home run. On the other, you can look like an idiot. Detroit may be willing to take this risk if Ivey is off the board as they look for a star to pair with Cunningham. At the same time, the Pistons may opt for a safer guard like Bennedict Mathurin.
Keegan Murray- Forward from Iowa
Keegan Murray could be a strong option for the Pistons at five. The Pistons will likely explore trade options for Jerami Grant this offseason. There are a couple of potential trades for Detroit that could result in Grant being on the move. If Grant is traded, the Pistons could fill his spot with Murray.
Keegan Murray is one of the safest picks in this year’s draft. His defensive ability at power forward would be beneficial for any team. Murray is a versatile defender that can guard the three and four. He can also switch in pick-and-roll situations.
On the offensive end of the court, Murray is a reliable shooter that can help space the floor. He will hit shots when left open and can be effective in pick-and-pop scenarios. He does not create shots for himself but as long as he hits open threes he will find a role in an NBA offense.
On the interior, Murray may struggle to work in the post against bigger defenders. That will put a cap on his offensive potential. But, he can put in work against forwards and wings that are his size or smaller.
For the Pistons, the defensive end of the court would be stable with Murray at the four and Isaiah Stewart at the five. That is assuming the Pistons do not sign a big-name center this offseason. Murray will never be a star in the NBA but he can be a starter on a successful team. At a minimum, Murray will provide quality minutes off the bench.
