The 2022 NBA Draft was awful to some teams (New York Knicks), while being great to others. The Pistons were one of those “other” teams as they drafted Jaden Ivey 5th overall, greatly complimenting an already developing team.
The Detroit Pistons have been bad for a while. Making the playoffs only twice in a decade (2012-2022), the Pistons fans have been suffering a long time from the mediocrity and abhorrent play of their team. But the times are changing, and the Pistons have slowly, but surely, assembled a roster that will soon be ready for playoff contention once again.
And now, they have added another piece. Jayden Ivey.
The 6-foot-4 guard from Purdue was one of the very best prospects in the draft class, leading to him being projected to going 4th overall to the Sacramento Kings. Though, with Sacramento’s abundance of young, talented guards, the Kings choose forward Keegan Murray over Ivey.
I imagine Detroit couldn’t believe their luck as they now had the perfect partner to compliment point guard Cade Cunningham to rebuild the glory days of the 1990’s/00’s. Meanwhile, Jayden Ivey was bawling his eyes out as his name was called, though I would have to guess that was mainly due with him being drafted.
I can’t see him crying over getting drafted by Detroit, though maybe I’m wrong and he is a secret, die-hard Pistons fans. Anyway, all Piston fans should have rejoiced when they heard Ivey’s name called out by Commissioner Adam Silver. Him and Cade Cunnigham should be the real deal in Detroit.
Ivey can and will do anything to help the Pistons become great once more. At Purdue, he rose to the occasion whenever his team called upon him. They need him to score from the field? He would by shooting around 10 field goals/game. They need Ivey to rack up threes? He shot over 35% his final year from the 3-point line. Purdue needed Ivey to be their focal point on offense? He averaged 17.3PPG, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists last season.
Now, one may not be convinced that Ivey will be able to translate those stats to the NBA instantly. One may think that all of the pressure of producing as a Top-5 pick will be evident come Day 1. Those people would be wrong. Why? Two words: Cade Cunnigham.
Cade Cunnigham will still be the focal point of the Pistons’ attack, leaving Ivey more than enough time to develop and grow as the Pistons’ starting shooting guard. And, if all goes right, the Pistons should be back in playoff contention in the next three years, primarily driven by Cunnigham and Ivey.
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