In a few short days, the 2022 NBA Draft will kick off in New York for the Miami Heat and the rest of the league. Though the Heat sit way down at 27, the Sacramento Kings hold the 4th overall pick, which could be a pivotal swing decision for them and possibly a crucial opportunity for the Miami Heat.
Some players enjoy observing their stock soar in the lead-up to the draft, while others watch a precarious dip. Jaden Ivey is one such player observing the hype build around him like a wave headed into shore.
Ivey is a guard with enough raw talent and upside to tantalize any general manager in the league. His natural athletic ability seems to be just half of what allows him to be a basketball player capable of taking over games with his scoring and his ability to fold a defense like a child bending paper into an airplane.
He’s a prospect whose highlights and ceiling are washing away some no-show performances with the Purdue squad. His promise changes the way scouts look at his team, chalking up some of his struggles to a weird and misfit roster.