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Who should the Detroit Pistons trade up for in the draft?

By Braden Shackelford

Mar 7, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) drives against Clemson Tigers guard Marcquise Reed (2) during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) drives against Clemson Tigers guard Marcquise Reed (2) during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Pistons are just four days away from draft night. If things stay the same, the team will be drafting 12th overall, but what if they traded up? Who do you think they would target?

The Detroit Pistons should seriously consider moving up in the draft, given the talent that could be available in the 5-10 range. Of course, the price has to be right, but I would wager the Pistons could get a relatively cheap deal considering a player drafted in this range could be a star.

But if they traded up, who would it be for?

Players that should be in this range that could develop into stars (based on my own personal assessment) are as follows:

Jonathan Isaac

De’Aaron Fox

Malik Monk

Dennis Smith

Zach Collins

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Given the amount of talent in this range that could develop into stars, one might think the Pistons should just start making calls around pick 5 and pull the trigger on the cheapest deal. I’d love to have Isaac, but I think he might be the most expensive piece to move up for. I also think the Pistons could stand pat and still land Collins, a player I am absolutely in love with.

But the player that has the most intrigue for me on this list is Dennis Smith. Along with Isaac, Smith is probably the most high risk/reward player in the draft.

Given the Pistons lack of star talent and questions surrounding their long-term play at point guard, Smith offers the perfect blend of talents that the Pistons need and are looking for. Therefore, he’s the player I think makes the most sense, and a guy I feel the team will strongly consider moving up for.

As a bonus, Monk would be my next pick based on how I think he projects, what I think it would take to move up to get him, and his ability to potentially play point guard.

Next: Detroit Pistons draft targets: Guard edition

What do you think?