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Grading the Detroit Pistons 2019 offseason moves

By Aaron Ferguson

Detroit Pistons point guard Derrick Rose played with the Minnesota Timberwolves last season. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
Detroit Pistons point guard Derrick Rose played with the Minnesota Timberwolves last season. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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AUBURN HILLS, MI – JUNE 21: Head Coach Dwane Casey and Sekou Doumbouya of the Detroit Pistons, pose for a photo at a press conference on June 21, 2019 at Detroit Pistons Practice Facility in Auburn Hills, 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI – JUNE 21: Head Coach Dwane Casey and Sekou Doumbouya of the Detroit Pistons, pose for a photo at a press conference on June 21, 2019 at Detroit Pistons Practice Facility in Auburn Hills, 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Sky high potential

With the 15th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Pistons went abroad and selected Sekou Doumbouya from France. It’s an intriguing move that offers the Pistons insurance for the future.

Doumbouya, 18, is filled with potential and, evidently, has an impressive leaping ability to the point that YouTube-sensation Zion Williamson referred to him as, “this dude with bounce” at the NBA rookie photoshoot.

However, it’s unlikely Doumbouya has a key role for the Pistons’ 2019-20 season, President of Basketball Operations Ed Stefanski said on a radio interview Friday. That begs the question of what the Pistons will do following a 41-41 season with an improved roster that will have money to spend next summer.

Related Story. Setting realistic expectations for Sekou Doumbouya. light

Will Detroit be aggressive in an attempt to acquire a third star to pair with Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond? If they have a poor first half of the season, with a tough post-All-Star break schedule, will they trade their expiring contracts for assets?

Regardless, Doumbouya gives them extra wiggle room for Detroit to trade away draft picks to make a splash, or a building block if Reggie Jackson and Drummond, who has a player option in 2020, are on the move.

GRADE: Incomplete

This draft pick is going to depend on how Doumbouya develops. That’s a specialty of Dwane Casey and G-League coach Donnie Tyndall, who may get to work with the Pistons’ first round pick.

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