If the Detroit Pistons land the top pick in the NBA draft, what do they do with the players already on the roster? Virtually everyone is available for the right price, but would that change?
If the Detroit Pistons landed a top-three pick in this year’s draft class, that could greatly change the direction Stan Van Gundy decides to go this offseason.
Landing a top pick might convince Van Gundy to keep most of his core guys. Not landing a top pick could produce the same logic for Van Gundy, who likes to remain competitive.
But that isn’t the only direction he could go.
This lead me to this question: If the Pistons netted a top pick in this draft, should they look to keep the group together, or build around their youth?
This is a tough question to answer. On the one hand, pairing Andre Drummond, Tobias Harris, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Stanley Johnson, Henry Ellenson, and Marcus Morris, with a top point guard talent really appeals.
It’s even more enticing when you can ship Reggie Jackson out for more shooting help off the bench.
On the other hand, the Drummond can be a handicap with his free throw shooting, defense, and shooting limitations. The more days that pass, the more convinced I am of shipping him out while his value is still high for more draft capital.
Moreover, shipping out big contracts, such as Drummond and Jackson, not only clear cap space, but also create a platform for the younger players–Ellenson, Johnson, Caldwell-Pope, Boban Marjanovic (he’s young in terms of NBA playing time), and whomever the Pistons drafted in the top-three–to take lead roles.
With LeBron still LeBron and Golden State a juggernaut for the next few years, perhaps developing youth and widening the window of this team would be more prudent.
If the Pistons land the top pick, I think you could make arguments for both directions, though landing the top pick would almost assuredly be the end of Jackson’s time in Detroit.
Next: Joe Dumars to the Atlanta Hawks?
I lean towards going with the youth. Not only does does trading Drummond make a lot of sense, but it’s going to be hard to compete anytime soon, assuming the NBA landscape doesn’t drastically change.
Your turn.