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Detroit Pistons Mock Offseason 2.0

By Richard Davisson

DETROIT, MI - APRIL 22: Ish Smith #14 of the Detroit Pistons warms up before Game Four of Round One against the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 22: Ish Smith #14 of the Detroit Pistons warms up before Game Four of Round One against the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Draft

By the time the 15th selection rolls around, the Pistons aren’t thrilled with the value of the guys available at that spot. Luckily for them, there are two teams that want to consolidate their draft picks to move up to the 15th spot. The Sixers are offering the 24th and 33rd picks for the 15th pick, while the Nets are willing to part with the 27th and 31st picks of this year’s draft and Denver’s 2020 2nd round pick.

The offers end up being rather similar, but the Pistons go with the Nets offer. Netting a future second round pick as well as the first pick in the second round proved to be more valuable to Detroit’s front office. By moving down to the 27th’s selection, the Pistons knocked off $1.3 million that can help in going to pay for the 31st selection. Overall, the Pistons are saving money with this move by adding another cheap rookie.

With the 27th Pick in the 2019 NBA Draft…

The Pistons would like to draft a wing that has upside on both ends of the floor and can ideally contribute this year. The four wings at this range are KZ Okpala, Talen Horton-Tucker, Louis King, and Dylan Windler.

The 6’9.5” Okpala seems to be more of a project that, with patience, could develop into a 3&D guy in the future. However, the Pistons timeline with Blake Griffin calls for someone who can have more of an immediate impact.

Horton-Tucker is a unique player, being 6’4” with a wingspan over 7’1” he has all of the tools to be a versatile defender. Offensively, he has shown the ability to create off the dribble, but his outside shot leaves a bit to be desired at only 30.8%. His 62.5% from the charity stripe give pause to those who wonder if his outside shot will improve.

King is a 20 year old 6’8” freshman who possesses a wingspan over 7’0” and showed off the ability to knock down the outside shot at a clip of 38.6% while taking five attempts from three a game last year. He has the size and length necessary to project as a solid defensive player against wings.

JACKSONVILLE, FL – MARCH 21: Dylan Windler #3 of the Belmont Bruins dribbles by Darryl Morsell #11 of the Maryland Terrapins during the First Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on March 21, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – MARCH 21: Dylan Windler #3 of the Belmont Bruins dribbles by Darryl Morsell #11 of the Maryland Terrapins during the First Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on March 21, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

The left-handed Windler is by far the best shooter of the bunch. The 6’7.5” senior forward shot 42.9% on 7.1 attempts from 3-point range last year. He has a decent handle for a player his size, and he has the lateral quickness and length (6’10” wingspan) to evolve into a solid defender.

Detroit opts to select Dylan Windler here with pick 27. He has the skillset to keep the floor spaced for the rest of the roster on the offensive end, and on the defensive side of the ball, he can be a lengthy body that can stay in front of other wings.