Detroit Pistons Draft Grades: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Headed to Motown
Jun 27, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Georgia) hugs friends and family after being selected as the number eight overall pick to the Detroit Pistons during the 2013 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
In one of the most exciting NBA Drafts ever, our very own Detroit Pistons shared in the fun as they selected little known shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope from the University of Georgia. In the second round, Detroit drafted first round talent Tony Mitchell from North Texas at number 37. And the Pistons finished off their draft night by selecting NCAA Champion Peyton Siva from the University of Louisville.
The Pistons passed up hometown hero Trey Burke with their lottery selection to add depth to the completely diminished wing positions. Joe Dumars addressed his teams need throughout the draft, and quietly had a pretty good draft night
Now, let’s take a look at the grades for each of the Detroit Pistons 2013 NBA Draft Selections:
8.) Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – Georgia University: SG
– As I said in my last mock draft, KCP has been shooting up draft boards over the last month and was rumored to be gone by the time the Pistons picked. Caldwell-Pope is a lockdown defender that averaged over two steals a contest last year at Georgia, and forces more than his fair share of turnovers. KCP is known as a great defender, but also is a lights-out shooter with NBA range. Over 65% of KCP’s shots were perimeter jumpers.
He averaged 18.5 points per game last year at Georgia, as well as hauling down 7.1 rebounds a game for the Bulldogs. The Pistons added a player that will give them a jolt of athleticism, defense, and perimeter shooting. The Pistons sent smokescreen after smokescreen, like they usual do on draft night about whom they might select in the Lottery, and seemingly crushed all “U of M” fans dreams of watching Trey Burke at the Palace for years to come.
Overall, I like the risk Dumars took with Caldwell-Pope, and I think he will fit nicely next to Brandon Knight in the backcourt. This pick made by Dumars and his staff, was also a step to show Brandon Knight that they still see him as the point guard of the future (and present).
Grade: B+
37.) Tony Mitchell – North Texas University: PF/SF
– The Pistons addressed athleticism on the wing with their first selection, and got a steal with their first pick of the second round, Tony Mitchell. Mitchell averaged 14 points and 8 rebounds a game last year, a decline from his freshmen season when he scored over 15 points per contest and pulled down over 10 rebounds a game.
Mitchell was rumored to be a potential late Lottery selection early in the draft process, but slipped mightily on draft night with questions to his motor.
With the likely departure of Jason Maxiell and the possible release of Charlie Villanueva, the Pistons had to address the backup power forward position on draft night. and they drafted a first round talent in the second round, as it seems every draft night, a player slips right into the Pistons laps.
Grade: A-
56.) Peyton Siva – Louisville University: PG
– This late in the lottery, and already full of young players, it was rumored all along that the Pistons would draft an overseas player. But, like almost everything else on Draft Night 2013, the Pistons surprised analysts by selecting Louisville point guard Peyton Siva.
Siva is the only player on the roster, other than Brandon Knight, at the point guard position. Siva may not stick on the Pistons regular season roster, but will be the starting point guard in Orlando for the NBA Summer League. Siva will have a chance to stick on the roster with a solid performance in Orlando, but see his drafting as more of a tryout rather than an endorsement.
Grade: B-
Other News
– In non-draft related news, the Pistons also made headlines Thursday evening with the possible hiring of former Piston Rasheed Wallace as an Assistant to Head Coach Mo Cheeks. This was reported by the New York Daily News, and the Detroit News reporter Vincent Goodwill says interest between the two parties is “very real.”