Raptors targeting guard with No. 8 pick, which helps the Pistons

Marc Stein and Chad Ford of ESPN:

"But if the Raptors decide, in the end, not to make a draft-night deal and keep the pick, they’re expected to focus on the top guards that could be available at No. 8. Sources say that Toronto is intrigued by Syracuse’s Dion Waiters, UConn’s Jeremy Lamb and Weber State’s Damian Lillard."

I’m a big believer in the tier system for the NBA draft. Group players, regardless of position, who appear to have similar values into tiers. Then, draft only from within the highest remaining tier by choosing the player who fits best.

But for the Pistons, what if the top tier at the time of their No. 9 pick includes only a guard(s)?

Strict adherence to the system dictates taking a guard, and I would. So, I’m really hoping the top player available is not a guard, and therefore, I’m rooting for the teams ahead of Detroit to draft guards, pushing big men to No. 9.

Bradley Beal is a safe bet to be gone, but any other guards taken 1-8 are a bonus. If the Raptors draft Waiters, Lamb or Lillard, that would be fantastic for the Pistons.