Editor Mock Draft: Detroit Pistons select…
I took over the helm as the Detroit Pistons’ G.M. in the FanSided Editors mock draft. Who I picked might surprise you.
The Detroit Pistons are the owners of the 18th overall pick in the 2016 NBA mock draft. Last month, I took part in the FanSided 2016 NBA mock draft, acting as Pistons’ G.M.
Let me start by saying that who I selected last month, is not who I would select today.
Having said that, I do really like the player I selected for the Pistons–just not as much as the player whom I would have selected today if the board fell the way it did.
"Timothe Luwawu, Shooting Guard, FranceWith Furkan Korkmaz, Domantas Sabonis, Marquese Chriss, Wade Baldwin IV, Denzel Valentine, and Demetrius Jackson going of the board in the last six picks the board has fallen unfavorably for the Detroit Pistons, but there is still good talent left. Stan Van Gundy said that he would be willing to swing for the fences at No. 18 since they are in better shape than they have been in the past. There are two players left that fit the “swinging for the fences” description — Thon Maker and Timothe Luwawu — both exceptional athletes.With shooting guard being a potential need next offseason when Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a restricted free agent, Luwawu is the pick thanks to his improving offense and potential on defense. I also think Luwawu could play some point guard in the future too if Van Gundy looks to develop him there. Luwawu is a player that should find himself in the rotation rather quickly because of his toughness and defense — both coveted Van Gundy traits. While I ultimately decided on Luwawu it was a very close decision between he and Maker."
Though the players didn’t go necessarily where I thought they would, the board pretty much fell the way I anticipated. I suspect that some combination of Thon Maker, Timothe Luwawu, and Denzel Valentine (who went earlier in this mock) will be on the board when the Pistons select at 18.
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If those are the players that are on the board when the Pistons select, my gut is that the team will go Thon Maker.
While Maker might not have immediate success in the NBA, I think that he is easily a top-five talent. He’s raw–and we don’t know how he will fair against significantly stronger competition, but he’s a risk the Pistons simply have to take in my opinion.
If Maker isn’t on the board on Thursday when the Pistons select, I would back the Pistons if they selected Luwawu or Valentine, though Valentine’s knees are a concern at this point.