8 players from the 2022 NBA Draft class who will outperform their selection

4. Picked 13th in the 2022 NBA Draft: Jalen Duren

People are more scared than ever to draft traditional centers, and rightfully so. The position is being phased out in some systems, though most teams still value the core concepts offered by role players at the position. By trading back into the lottery and selecting Jalen Duren, the Detroit Pistons capitalized on the oversight of other front offices to nab a center for the future.

Duren has the raw skill-set of an elite rim-running big man and talented interior defender at just 18. His frame is already built out with broad shoulders and the strength required to keep up with some of the sturdy seven-footers he’ll need to face in this league. What Duren has that others don’t is a nimble quality in the way he moves. Duren is a versatile defender who’s more than capable of making his presence felt when switched onto perimeter players.

All the while, Duren shows upside as an impactful shot-blocker who uses great length, leaping ability and explosiveness to transform the way teams drive into the paint. During his big-name matchups in college, Duren held his own without getting too caught up in the moment or the flashy stylings of his competition. He knows what his role is and does it well, but still showcases the capacity for growth as a spot-up shooter, secondary playmaker and rim-rattling dunker.

Some people viewed Duren as a top-five talent in the class, and while I’m not sold on that trajectory, he’s one of the better true center prospects of the last decade.