Mock Draft 3.0: NBA Draft comes into focus with lottery set

Landing at No. 4 makes the Sacramento Kings the team in charge of the railroad switch for this draft. After the top three bigs projected to go 1-2-3, the Kings’ selection is wide open and will dictate what comes next to a significant degree. Do they add Jaden Ivey, another fast guard, or do they go for the wing they so desperately need alongside De’Aaron Fox and Davion Mitchell?

Either option is in play, as is a trade down or out, but let’s assume they want to build alongside their current backcourt instead of draft over them, and that lands them on Shaedon Sharpe. The 6’6″ wing didn’t end up playing at Kentucky, but there is plenty of high school tape suggesting Sharpe is and will be an excellent shooter with the upside to create offense with the ball in his hands. There is a fair bit of risk given the unknowns of Sharpe in high-level competition, but the upside is also sky-high and the Kings could do with a swing for the fences here.

If Sharpe goes at No. 4 the Detroit Pistons will likely be ecstatic. Adding Jaden Ivey gives them an explosive, fast guard who is the perfect contrast to the more deliberate Cade Cunningham. Ivey is an elite athlete who can finish inside against size, and his weaknesses as a passer are mitigated playing alongside an elite one in Cunningham.

The Pistons could also consider Sharpe here if he falls instead, or even Keegan Murray as a top-tier scoring threat alongside Cunningham. Ivey represents a high-ceiling play at a position of need for Detroit and solid value at fifth.