
If the Detroit Pistons were to take a shooting guard or a small forward with their first round pick, which draft prospects would make the most sense?
Reason would argue that the Detroit Pistons shouldn’t take a shooting guard or small forward prospect with the 18th pick of the 2016 NBA Draft. They already have a youthful array of wing players — Marcus Morris, Stanley Johnson, Tobias Harris, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jodie Meeks, Reggie Bullock and Darrun Hilliard — under contract for next season.
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However, the Pistons are drafting from a unique position this year. It’s the first time since 2009 that the franchise has a first round pick that doesn’t fall in the top 10. With an established core in place, they also have fewer immediate needs to fill.
General manager Jeff Bower also told the media at this year’s combine that it is “unlikely” that the results of the draft would “have a big impact” on the front office’s free agency plans. Reading between the lines, we can reasonably assume that they don’t expect to find a player at 18 that is ready to play a big role next season. This could mean that they are willing to take a bigger chance, and perhaps draft the player they believe has the highest ceiling, regardless of position.
Also of note, the consensus is that there is going to be a real run on the most intriguing forward prospects before the Pistons are on the clock. Marquese Chriss, Jakob Poeltl, Henry Ellenson, Skal Labissiere, Deyonta Davis, and Domantas Sabonis are all expected to go before pick 18.
This all leaves the door open for Detroit to draft a wing player with the 18th pick if they believe in the prospect long term. So, which prospects could still be available when the Pistons are on the clock?
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