Pistons hope to draft rotation player

Stan Van Gundy on WJR, as transcribed by Steve Schrader of the Detroit Free Press:

"“So we sort of know what’s there — obviously, we don’t know exactly what the teams right ahead of us will do. But we are confident that we can get a guy who can be a very good player for us down the road, hopefully play in our rotation next year. We’re not necessarily thinking the eighth pick, that guy comes in, is a starter. But certainly, we hope somebody who can play in our top nine or 10 guys.”"

A rotation player is a reasonable expectation for the No. 8 pick in this draft.

But I hope it’s not a criterion for determining whom they select.

The Pistons should take the player they believe has the most value over the long-term. If he’s ready to contribute next season, great. But if he’s not – due to being more of a project or lacking fit with this roster – that’s OK.

Thinking too short-term is how lottery teams remain lottery teams.