Palace Picks: A Need at Small Forward?

Every Morning, Pistons Palace brings you the reading material you need before you start your day at the office. We bring you the morning’s Palace Picks — Detroit Pistons Links from across the web to get you ready for the day.

Good Morning! Well, it’s morning for anyone who had a little bit too much to drink on a Saturday night. Thankfully, that’s why we were given the coffee bean. A natural de-hangover medication. One thing that is certain is that the Pistons aren’t hung over on certain prospects.

We’re now five days away from the NBA Draft and the Pistons of course are without a first round pick, after surrendering it to the Charlotte Hornets. Think of it this way — at least your team doesn’t wear turquoise and purple uniforms.

Or is it Robin’s Egg Blue?

Let’s get to today’s Palace Picks.

The Detroit News’ Vincent Goodwill gets our Picks started off with an opinion article on the small forward position. Goodwill notes that Josh Smith should be Detroit’s sixth man and compares the role he could play to the one Lamar Odom did with the Lakers during their last title run. Goodwill believes the Pistons need to add a real small forward to the roster.

"For the starting group, the Pistons should acquire an actual small forward via the draft, trade or free agency, helping Monroe and Drummond with much-needed space. Drummond’s offensive game hasn’t developed in two years, and although it would be unfair to judge a 21-year old in such a small sample size, there’s no guarantee it will —but he needs the opportunity to see if he can be a back-to-the-basket player."

How about some options in the draft at small forward? Sports Illustrated’s Point Forward has a ranking of the best small forwards on the board Thursday. Some names that could land in the Pistons lap at #38 include Jerami Grant of Syracuse, his teammate C.J. Fair, and Glenn Robinson III. Another name to watch is Damien Inglis of France, who NBADraft.net has the Pistons selecting in the second round. The Point Forward ranked Inglis as the tenth best small forward in the draft and wrote about some of his strengths.

"Inglis started for the International team at the Nike Hoop Summit and has top-flight defensive potential. He passes the eye test with an NBA-ready body and 7-3 wingspan, and he just turned 19 in May. Inglis can guard multiple positions and has a chance to become a shutdown defender — he averaged only 15.3 minutes in the French league but has also shown offensive ability in flashes. Inglis is an intelligent player with a developing offensive skill set, flourishing in transition and able to make plays for teammates. He’s a compelling second-round prospect."

Looking for some more Draft buzz? Our Friends at Six Championship Drive have their final 2014 Big Board up. I have to say that they do a fantastic job with covering the NBA Draft. Follow their twitter as well for great up to the day coverage.

NBA Insider Ken Berger with CBS also has some good draft nuggets this morning.  One of my favorite players in this draft class is Elfrid Payton, and his draft stock is climbing quickly. Berger says that he could be picked inside the first 14 picks. Nothing wrong with adding a point guard that distributes, gets to the charity stripe more than any other point guard in the country, and can score as well? To me, the Kings would be a great fit. Berger also brings us an update on Mitch McGary.

"The Bucks, with the 31st pick, have shown some interest in Michigan’s Mitch McGary, who had season-ending back surgery in January. Milwaukee is the only team known to have worked him out."

Speaking of big men, Hoop Scoop has a list of big men that could be steals in the second round. The Pistons have had or will have workouts with all three of the players that are highlighted. One player who has seen his draft stock climb is LSU’s Johnny O’Bryant.

Armed with a tank for a body, a 7’2″ wingspan and a smooth inside-out game, O’Bryant possesses the necessary tools to be one of the more NBA ready prospects in this draft, even though he’s slated to go in the late 2nd round.

"A two time All-SEC First team player, O’Bryant has no problem scoring baskets with ease despite being undersized, consistently getting to the free throw line and stretching the floor with his jumper, reminding many scouts of Hawks star Paul Millsap."

With the uncertainty of Greg Monroe, O’Bryant could be a good security selection or someone the Pistons target if he goes undrafted.