One of the more intriguing prospects in the 2022 NBA Draft class is Purdue guard Jaden Ivey. Originally, it seemed as if there was a consensus forming that Jabari Smith Jr. out of Auburn would be the top pick, with Chet Holmgren out of Gonzaga and Paolo Banchero out of Duke rounding out the top three in some combination.
However, the Oklahoma City Thunder may have different plans. It has been revealed that they are giving serious consideration to selecting Ivey with the No. 2 overall pick, as the draft boards teams are setting up could differ from what analysts are sharing in mock drafts.
In most mock drafts, Ivey is being selected in the 4-6 range by the Sacramento Kings, Detroit Pistons or Indiana Pacers. In fact, it sounds like that is the absolute lowest that Ivey will fall in this draft.
According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, the Indiana Pacers, who pick No. 6 overall, is the floor for Jaden Ivey in the 2022 NBA Draft.
“Elsewhere in the point guard conversation, word of New York’s interest in Purdue sophomore Jaden Ivey has been often repeated by league personnel. Ivey, though, is all but assured to be selected within the first six picks of the draft, where the Indiana Pacers are considered by several executives contacted by B/R as his floor.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Indiana Pacers Among Teams That Should Trade Up In 2022 NBA Draft For Jaden Ivey?
Ivey was electric for the Boilermakers during the 2021-22 season, earning an All-American nod and helping the team reach the Sweet 16. He is arguably the most explosive athlete in this year’s draft class, possessing legitimate star potential.
If the Thunder feels that he can reach that potential, they will have no hesitation selecting him despite already having Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey in the mix. If other teams are of the same thinking and he is on the board when the fourth pick rolls around, they will aggressively pursue trading up for him.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Indiana Pacers Among Teams That Should Trade Up In 2022 NBA Draft For Jaden Ivey?
Jaden Ivey is a good match for the Indiana Pacers, so should he be available when they are on the clock, they will run the selection card up to the podium, keeping him home in Indiana.
