NBA 2022 mock draft: Worst-case-scenario for the Pistons
2022 NBA Mock Draft: Pick #8
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Guard. 8. player. G-League Ignite/ New Orleans Pelicans. Jaden Hardy. 69
I think this is a pick the New Orleans Pelicans would trade, as they already have enough young players and need more adult talent around Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
They are already set at forward with Zion (if he ever comes back), Ingram and Herb Jones, and have a solid center in Jonas Valanciunas. But the Pelicans need help at guard, where third-year man Nickeil Alexander-Walker is still not getting it done and Devonte’ Graham is more of a role player off the ball.
Hardy is one of the most polarizing players in the draft, as he looks like a superstar at times for the Ignite but disappears in others behind some bad habits.
This would be a high risk/high reward pick for the Pelicans, who really need a shooter, but they swing for the fences here and hope Hardy eventually becomes one, as he has the size and athletic ability to do just about everything else well.