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The perfect teams for the top 4 prospects in the 2022 NBA Draft

By Dan Bennett

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 02: Paolo Banchero #5 of the Duke Blue Devils puts up a shot against Brady Manek #45 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 2, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 02: Paolo Banchero #5 of the Duke Blue Devils puts up a shot against Brady Manek #45 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 2, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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2022 NBA Draft
AUBURN, AL – JANUARY 19: Jabari Smith #10 of the Auburn Tigers sets up a shot against the Georgia Bulldogs in the second half at Auburn Arena on January 19, 2022 in Auburn, Alabama, The perfect teams for the top 4 prospects in the 2022 NBA Draft. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

The perfect teams for the top 4 prospects in the 2022 NBA Draft: Jabari Smith Jr., Detroit Pistons

Arguably the biggest prize in the NBA Draft, Jabari Smith Jr. has propelled himself into the number one pick conversation with his incredible shooting ability paired with his tenacity on defense.

With his ability to stretch the floor and make all kinds of shots at 6’10, it is easy to see him having an impact in the NBA right away no matter what team he lands on.

But should Detroit get the lottery luck again, pairing him with last year’s number one pick Cade Cunningham could see the formation of the NBA’s next star duo.

Cunningham battled injury problems in his rookie season but showed exactly what he is capable of when he was healthy. The young guard ended up averaging 17.4 points per game and 5.6 assists on a Pistons team which seriously lacks top-end talent, showcasing his ability to create for others.

Smith Jr. would benefit from this. Cunningham is an extremely intelligent player that can read opposition offenses and pick the right pass. Smith Jr. was held back in his year at Auburn because of the guards he was playing with, and pairing him with someone like Cade could well bring out the best in him.

It is easy to imagine Cunningham running a pick and roll, forcing a defense into panic and kicking out for Smith Jr. to knock down a three. His unselfishness would allow Smith Jr. to get plenty of opportunities to shoot the ball.

And with Jerami Grant having long been linked in trades rumors, Smith Jr. could slot right in and take the veteran’s minutes, should he move on.

A Pistons team with Cunningham and Killian Hayes in the backcourt flanked by Saddiq Bey and Smith Jr. at the forward spots is a hugely exciting prospect on both ends of the court. Smith Jr. needs to be on a team where he can get the ball in the right spots and has the space to shoot, and the Pistons might just be his best chance at that.