Knicks fans might be jealous about Pistons’ selection in ESPN’s mock draft
The New York Knicks weren’t able to get a top four pick in the 2022 NBA Draft Lottery with their 9.4% odds but instead stayed in place with the No. 11 pick. Based on New York’s past streak of bad luck, fans should be happy that the Knicks didn’t drop down below the 11th pick.
With the 2022 NBA Draft order set, ESPN released an updated mock draft (subscription required) that included all 58 picks. To no surprise, Jonathan Givony had the Knicks selecting Arizona’s Bennedict Mathurin at No. 11.
If New York doesn’t use the pick as part of a possible trade, Mathurin seems to be the most likely option if he isn’t off the board by the time that the Knicks make their pick.
Mathurin making his way to New York would be good news for fans, but the bad news is that in the mock draft, the Detroit Pistons are slotted to select Jaden Ivey at No. 5.
Knicks fans should hope that the Pistons don’t draft Jaden Ivey in June.
Because New York’s had issues at the point guard position for quite some time now, fans have been drawn to the idea of drafting Ivey. That would’ve been possible with a top four pick, but since that isn’t the case, fans should hope that the guard doesn’t end up with another team in the Eastern Conference.
It’s bad enough that the Orlando Magic were awarded the No. 1 overall pick and will likely end up with Jabari Smith Jr., Paolo Banchero, or Chet Holmgren.
Detroit (23-59) and Orlando (22-60) finished at the bottom of the conference, but the Pistons are better poised for future success. The addition of Ivey to the roster would be a huge boost. Givony wrote:
"The Pistons struck gold in potential rookie of the year Cade Cunningham last year and can now look to add another dynamic backcourt player who can help shoulder the offensive responsibility. Ivey is the most electric prospect in the class, possessing the type of extra gear-changing speeds in the open floor that few NBA players possess."
Ivey averaged 17.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists as a sophomore at Purdue and shot 46% from the floor, 35.8% from the 3-point line, and 74.4% from the free-throw line.
It’s tough to admit, but the guard would be a perfect fit in Detroit. The Pistons selected Cade Cunningham last season with the No. 1 overall pick and could end up getting Ivey this year with their first pick in the draft.
Like the Knicks, Detroit hasn’t had luck in the playoffs over the past several years. Out of the Pistons’ last three postseason appearances (2009, 2016, 2019), they’ve failed to win a game. But the culture is shifting in Michigan and Ivey would help to propel Detroit on its push back to relevancy.
New York’s front office seems prepared to have a busy offseason and that’s exactly what needs to happen for the Knicks to be able to ward off Eastern Conference teams such as the Pistons.
At the end of the day, hopefully Ivey ends up on a team where he can be successful, but since it isn’t going to be New York, it’s time to get ready to root against him.
