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

The perfect teams for the top 4 prospects in the 2022 NBA Draft: Jaden Ivey, New Orleans Pelicans

Purdue guard Jaden Ivey has been widely touted as the fourth-best prospect in this year’s draft. In a class full of bigs and wings, Ivey’s explosiveness and athleticism in the backcourt offers a something very different to the other big names.

The New Orleans Pelicans’ own pick is highly unlikely to be drawn in a position to land Ivey. However, should the Los Angeles Lakers’ pick land in the top ten (a situation which seemed near impossible at the start of the season), it will go to the Pelicans.

While still unlikely, there is a chance the Lakers could land a top-four selection which would then convey to New Orleans – a team which makes a lot of sense for Ivey.

The team traded for CJ McCollum before this season’s trade deadline and the veteran guard hit the ground running in his new home, averaging 24.3 points after being traded.

But there is, however, a space open in the backcourt next to McCollum for someone to grab. Jose Alvarado, Devonte Graham, and Kira Lewis Jr. are not bad players – but they are not exactly certainties for a starting spot.

Ivey could come in and make that second guard spot alongside McCollum his own. While Zion Williamson has not played this season, leading to rumblings about his future, New Orleans really is a great situation to land in in terms of talent given that Brandon Ingram is also on the roster.

While Ivey might not get the same level of opportunity he would on a worse team, the success he could potentially have with the Pelicans should make up for that. His speed in the open court and driving to the basket alongside two shooters in McCollum and Ingram as well as another freak athlete in Williamson is a very exciting prospect.

Ivey would get the space to do what he is best at – driving towards the rim – with the spacing on the team and could form a deadly duo with Williamson in the open floor. He would get the opportunity to impress while also making those around him better.