The Detroit Pistons have the second-worst record in the NBA and are hoping to land a top-3 pick in the NBA Draft.
Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith and Paolo Banchero have somewhat separated themselves from the rest of the field, and if the Pistons do end up getting a top-3 pick, I would bet on one of those guys being in Detroit next season.
But what if they don’t get that top-3 pick?
The field gets a lot murkier after those top three guys, though most scouts have Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren in the mix.
There is one guy who scouts are not sure about, a mystery man in this year’s draft who could end up being the best player.
His name is Shaedon Sharpe, and if the Pistons fall out of the top-3, he should be on their radar.
Detroit Pistons draft: Who is Shaedon Sharpe?
If you haven’t heard of Shaedon Sharpe you are not alone. He chose to enter Kentucky halfway through the season, and has yet to play a game for the Wildcats.
He is practicing with the team now, but there is a good chance he’ll never play a game in NCAA, as he will be eligible for the 2022 NBA Draft and most agree that he’ll enter it.
He could return to Kentucky next season, but he was the number one rated player in the 2022 high school class and no guy that highly rated has ever fallen out of the lottery, so there is a good chance he’ll enter the draft.
The problem is that no one has really seen the guy play outside of the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League, where he stood out as the best player.
He likely won’t have any college or G-League film, so some team is going to have to take a chance on a guy who their scouts have not seen play in live action.
He’s the 2022 NBA Draft’s biggest mystery, but he also might be its best player.