Pistons draft: The best prospect in the 2022 NBA Draft might not go top-3

The Detroit Pistons currently have the third-worst record in the NBA, which would give them maximum odds at a top-4 pick.

Most draft boards have Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith and Paolo Banchero going top-3 in some order, as there really isn’t a consensus who the best guy is.

All three prospects have solid skillsets but also have flaws, so we’ll likely be arguing who the best of the three is for years to come.

If the Pistons landed in the top-3, it’s likely that they would take one of these players, as all three offer skills Detroit needs and look like guys who would pair well with Cade Cunningham.

But what if the Pistons don’t land a top-3 pick? Once you get past those top guys, it’s a complete crapshoot about who comes next, though most believe Jaden Ivey is likely to be that 4th guy.

If Detroit does fall, they could take a risk on a guy who might end up being the best player in the 2022 NBA Draft when it is all said and done.

Detroit Pistons draft: Shaedon Sharpe could be the perfect fit with Cade Cunningham

I don’t think there is a whole lot of difference between the 4th and 8th pick in this particular draft, so if the Detroit Pistons fall, I’d love them to take a shot on Shaedon Sharpe.

Coming into the 2021-22 season, Sharpe was ranked as the #1 high school player in the country and it wasn’t particularly close, as he has wowed coaches and scouts everywhere he’s been.

But Sharpe went to Kentucky a year early, so didn’t play at all this season and still hasn’t declared for the NBA Draft, so there is a chance he will stay and play one season with Kentucky. If he does, I guarantee we will not be talking about him as an “under-the-radar” prospect next season, as he has a chance to be the #1 pick if he stays in college.

If you’ve not seen Sharpe play, you are not alone, as he is one of the big mysteries of this draft and we don’t have a lot of film to work with.

But if you have seen the film. Wow! This is guy who already has an advanced offensive bag as a teenager, has a great NBA frame and looks to have all of the tools to be a star at the next level.

Just watch these highlights and drool thinking about him next to Cade.

He is a 6-foot-6, 200 lb. shooting guard with a quick first step, the ability to put the ball on the floor and a smooth 3-point shot that he can take off the bounce, on a step-back or off the catch.

He reminds me a lot of Jalen Green, only he’s already taller, stronger, better in the post and projects to be a better defender. I think his ceiling is a Paul George type of two-way wing.

By all accounts, Sharpe is a hard worker who has spent this season practicing with his teammates at Kentucky and working on his strength.

This is a guy who is comfortable scoring from all three levels, and count me as one of the fans who wants to see the Pistons put a scorer around Cade Cunningham to further unlock his talents as a playmaker.

I hope the Detroit Pistons end up in the top-3, but if they don’t, I think Sharpe will get a long look no matter where they pick (especially if they get a second 1st-round pick by trading Jerami Grant), as he has the talent to be the best player in this draft and may be the perfect guy to pair with Cade for the future.