Pippen Ain’t Easy’s 2022 NBA Mock Draft: Final two-round forecast

In terms of NBA-ready prospects, Keegan Murray is as good as it gets. He is a lethal shooter and floor spacer, he’s dangerous in the pick and roll, he’s a versatile defender, and has the size to be a force on the glass. There truly are no weaknesses in his game which makes him a tantalizing pick for many teams here in the early lottery.

The Detroit Pistons likely wanted to pick up a player with a higher perceived ceiling here, but unless they trade up into the top four slots it’s unlikely they get a player they love. Playing it safe a pairing a high IQ player like Murray may end up being the best move available for the Pistons. Watching Keegan and Cade Cunningham work in tandem would be extremely fun to watch and should be an important small step towards helping Detroit finally escape the basement of the Eastern Conference.

Shaedon Sharpe just may be the most polarizing prospect in this year’s draft. Sharpe has not been seen playing competitive basketball since high school, so it’s extremely difficult forming an idea of just how competent the young guard would be in organized play against high-end talent. Still, the idea of Sharpe as a true ceiling-raiser may be difficult for some to ignore.

For an Indiana Pacers team that finally acquired a true talent to build around in Tyrese Haliburton, finding him a backcourt partner to grow and develop with would be a worthy investment. Indiana could also maximize their assets by trading away veterans like Malcolm Brogdon, receiving future assets in return, and opening a spot in the rotation for a player like Sharpe.

The sooner the Pacers commit to the youth movement, the sooner they’ll return to prominence in the Eastern Conference. Shaedon Sharpe just might be the guy to lead them there.