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Who might the Detroit Pistons target in the 2018 NBA draft?

By Andrew Brewster

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Jalen Brunson #1 of the Villanova Wildcats attempts a shot against Zavier Simpson #3 of the Michigan Wolverines during the first half in the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Jalen Brunson #1 of the Villanova Wildcats attempts a shot against Zavier Simpson #3 of the Michigan Wolverines during the first half in the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /
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The Pistons have the 42nd pick in the 2018 Draft – who might they select?

Before answering who they might target in the draft, it’s important to ask: what do the Pistons need the most?

AUBURN HILLS, MI – MARCH 30: Ish Smith
AUBURN HILLS, MI – MARCH 30: Ish Smith /

Ish Smith is definitely a cult favorite in Detroit. Or at least he was before Reggie Jackson got injured. Upon being thrust into the starting role, Smith’s lack of shooting squeezed the space out of the offense. Smith is great in the backup role, as he’s able to dice up benches across the league. But if Jackson still can’t stay healthy, Smith is not the point guard you want answering the call to action.

So, first and foremost, the Pistons need to bring in some insurance for Jackson. They need a point guard who can shoot the ball and play acceptable team defense. Sadly, the best solution to this need would’ve been Spencer Dinwiddie, but since the last front office let him go, they may decide to take a swing at a point guard with their second-round pick.

CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 11: Eric Moreland #24 of the Detroit Pistons goes up for a dunk against the Chicago Bulls on April 11, 2018 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 11: Eric Moreland #24 of the Detroit Pistons goes up for a dunk against the Chicago Bulls on April 11, 2018 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The second team need is presumably a backup big man. Eric Moreland played admirably last season as an energy guy, but he is not skilled enough to be seen as a long-term option if this team wants to make a playoff run. It’s still unclear how Dwane Casey wants to handle the big-man rotation, but it’s certainly an option for the team to take a shot at a big man in the draft.

The final type of player the Pistons may pursue is pretty much the same player every team is looking for these days: a defensively versatile wing-player. If you can hit shots on the wing and play average defense, you can find a spot on a roster these days. The Pistons will certainly be looking at some guys who might fit this mold in the draft.

As a disclaimer, throughout this piece, I’ll be adding a little bit of creative license. The team doesn’t even “officially” have a GM yet, so there’s a chance the new regime might want to make a move of some kind that might affect draft day. Or, players who currently might be seen as 10 spots too high for the Pistons could drop a little as we head into the draft. Furthermore, many NBA analysts are projecting that this draft may have a lot of trades.

That being said, some of the players on this list might currently be seen as late first round/early second round picks, but I’m going to include them anyway. I don’t think it’s entirely outside the realm of possibility the Pistons acquire one of the players listed below.