Instant reaction to Detroit Pistons drafting Luke Kennard
The Detroit Pistons have drafted Luke Kennard, what do you think?
The Detroit Pistons have selected Luke Kennard. That will help tremendously with their shooting, assuming he can translate that 43.8% from behind the arc he shot at Duke. He will also immediately have a role as the first shooting guard off of the bench–assuming something unexpected doesn’t happen.
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But ultimately, this pick–for me–will be judged on what could have been.
We know the Pistons could have drafted D’Angelo Russell, but ultimately decided to pass on a potential deal.
Although we have no idea what the trade would have looked like in the end, it would have almost assuredly made the Pistons better today than they are with Kennard.
Kennard over Russell is a tough sell to a fan base that was extremely disappointed this season after a promising playoff run the year before.
Short of a big trade, the Pistons will be rolling the same roster as last season, plus Kennard, due to their lack of cap space.
That means once again, the Pistons ride and die on Reggie Jackson and Andre Drummond, a tandem that when at their best, lead the Pistons to an eighth seed in the Eastern Conference–barely.
Next: Detroit Pistons select Luke Kennard over Donovan Mitchell
Kennard is a good player, and who knows, maybe he becomes the next Klay Thompson? But my instant reaction is that this pick was a bit of a let down considering what could have been.