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Chad Ford mocks a stud front court player to the Detroit Pistons

By Braden Shackelford

Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Zach Collins (32) interacts with guard Josh Perkins (13) during the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Zach Collins (32) interacts with guard Josh Perkins (13) during the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Pistons are on the brink of a fringe top-10 pick. With the college season over, Chad Ford has his latest mock draft out. Who did Ford mock to the Pistons this go around?

The Detroit Pistons have a lot of needs and therefore can sit back and let the best player fall to them.

That is exactly the logic forward takes in his latest mock draft, with Ford selecting athletic freshman Zach Collins from Gonzaga to the Pistons.

Ford Via ESPN:

"11. Detroit PistonsZach CollinsGonzagaFreshmanCenterCollins proved he’s worthy of a lottery pick with a dominant 14-point, 13-rebound, six-block performance coming off the bench for the Zags in the Final Four versus South Carolina. He added another nine points, seven rebounds and three blocks in the title game vs. UNC, but played limited minutes because of foul trouble.And scouts look beyond the stat sheet — though the advanced analytics are very bullish on him — at what he did almost every time he stepped onto the court. He played above the rim, was bouncy and energetic, stretched the floor and competed with toughness.Plus, he’s used to playing with a more traditional center. In Detroit, he could make a very interesting pairing next to Andre Drummond."

I love this pick, though it’s worth noting that in Ford’s mock, Miles Bridges from Michigan State is still available.

I love both player’s upside, and this would be a really close decision for me as it stands right now.

You really couldn’t argue against either player, and without a true shot blocker and interior defender, the Pistons might lean Collins–particularly with Stanley Johnson and Tobias Harris on the roster.

Then again, selecting Collins also has it’s draw backs–the Pistons have Jon Leuer (who they could easily move) and they have the talented Henry Ellenson waiting in the wings.

All things being considered, I think you take Collins–he’s got a tremendous ceiling and could be that interior presence the Pistons have desperately missed defensively. Plus, the Pistons would have a true center with some outside game.

He could be the white Karl Anthony-Towns as far as we know–outside game, good rebounder, defender, and shot blocker, just limited minutes on a championship caliber team.

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What do you guys think?

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