3 Best Landing Spots for Jaden Ivey in 2022 NBA Draft

Purdue guard Jaden Ivey has been widely considered as the top guard prospect in the 2022 NBA Draft, which would have put him at No. 4 to the Sacramento Kings. 

However, the Kings are likely in the market to trade for a veteran or take a big in the 2022 NBA Draft since they have De’Aaron Fox, Davion Mitchell and already traded promising young guard Tyrese Haliburton. 

Ivey has the fourth-best odds to go No. 1 in the draft at WynnBET (+10000), and he revealed he’s’ only worked out for the Orlando Magic (No. 1) and Detroit Pistons (No. 5) so far heading into Thursday’s draft. 

Does this mean Ivey won’t slip past No. 5? It’s quite possible. Ivey improved his 3-point shooting percentage from 25.8 to 35.8 percent last season, and he’s a solid playmaker. 

Let’s break down three spots where he could land in the 2022 NBA Draft: 

Detroit Pistons (No. 5)

I have a feeling that Ivey lands with the Detroit Pistons if the Kings decide to keep the No. 4 pick, but there is a chance a team could move up to four and select him as well. 

The Pistons would be a solid spot for Ivey, as he’d play alongside another dynamic guard in Cade Cunningham. The Pistons would likely move on from one of their young guards if they draft Ivey, whether it is Killian Hayes, Saben Lee or Frank Jackson. 

I think the Pistons are an up-and-coming team, and an Ivey-Cunningham backcourt would be a problem for years to come. 

San Antonio Spurs (No. 9)

The Athletic’s Zach Harper had an interesting note in his latest mock draft, as he has Ivey as the player he falls all the way to the San Antonio Spurs. 

I don’t know if that happens, but I love the Ivey fit with a Gregg Popovich-led team. The Spurs have a bunch of younger guards, but Ivey would immediately be the team’s best option after Dejounte Murray and could be a star player to help bring the organization back to the playoffs. 

The Spurs are one of the best developmental organizations in the league, so this would be a perfect spot for Ivey to flourish if he did end up falling on Thursday.   

New York Knicks (No. 11)

Ivey mentioned the Knicks as a possible team he could land with, and New York certainly could use a lead guard heading into the 2022-23 season. 

I don’t see a scenario where Ivey falls to 11, but the Knicks could use the No. 11 pick to try and move up and grab Ivey if he does fall. 

With Immanuel Quickley and Derrick Rose as the only ball-handlers the Knicks can rely on entering next season, Ivey would have a shot to start immediately and contribute to a team one year removed from a playoff appearance.  

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record in the NBA this season here.