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Luke Kennard fills major need on Pistons’ roster

By Duncan Smith

Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Luke Kennard (Duke) is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number twelve overall pick to the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Luke Kennard (Duke) is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number twelve overall pick to the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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In a draft full of trades in the top 10, the Detroit Pistons opted to draft Luke Kennard, a sharpshooter from Duke to fill a major need.

After the Chicago Bulls and Portland Trailblazers traded into the top 10 of the 2017 NBA draft, it set in motion a chain reaction in which Malik Monk, Donovan Mitchell and Luke Kennard were available when the Charlotte Hornets selected at 11. The Hornets picked Monk, and the Detroit Pistons opted to draft Luke Kennard.

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While fans and observers are high on Donovan Mitchell’s game-changing athleticism, the Pistons have a clear and desperate need. Last season they were the third-worst three-point shooting team, hitting 33 percent from long range. They were 26th in three-point attempts, 26th in effective field goal percentage and dead last in true shooting percentage.

While Mitchell’s raw athleticism and defensive edge appeals to everybody who follows the Pistons, they selected a player who may be the more polished package offensively. Kennard isn’t an elite athlete and doesn’t have the monstrous 6’10” wingspan possessed by Mitchell, he can shoot the lights out.

Last season Kennard hit 49 percent from the floor and an impressive 43.8 percent from three. His free throw percentage (usually a better indicator of a shooter’s ability to translate to the NBA than actual collegiate three-point percentage) is excellent at 85.6 percent. More than 40 percent of his field goal attempts were three-pointers and he had a 63 percent true shooting rate.

The Pistons also had a depth issue, having very little with which to relieve Kentavious Caldwell-Pope at shooting guard. Kennard may be able to step in and play relief minutes behind KCP.

Next: Detroit Pistons select Luke Kennard with the 12 pick

While the Detroit Pistons’ draft philosophy is to select the best player available, they may have been fortunate enough to select both the best player and the player that best suits their current needs.