5 different NBA 2K20 simulations to determine the Detroit Pistons draft pick

As we move forward with uncertainty as to when the NBA season will resume, as well as the draft, let’s use 2K20 to predict the Detroit Pistons future!

The other day we used NBA 2K20 to simulate the remainder of the season for the Detroit Pistons. In doing that, they wound up landing the second overall pick in the draft and selected Anthony Edwards, an outcome that most would be satisfied with.

Now we’re going to exclusively focus on the draft, doing five separate simulations of the 2019-2020 season to see where Detroit makes their selection, who they pick, and how that player would fit in with the Pistons.

Doing this was rather meticulous, as was the case in our last 2K simulation story we needed to manipulate the season a bit.

This means taking Blake Griffin, Derrick Rose, and Luke Kennard out of the lineup all together, in order to better mirror what happened in Detroit’s actual season. Even though Rose played quite a bit, it’s easier to just take him out.

We’re also obviously playing with current rosters, so this means players like Andre Drummond, Markieff Morris and Reggie Jackson are with their new teams.

The option to turn off injuries is there, but leaving them on felt like it could better the Pistons’ chances at a top selection. It could also better mirror what has actually occurred this year, which was a cascade of injuries.

So with some of the logistics out of the way, let’s begin!

Attempt #1

The first attempt saw Detroit finish with a 25-57 record. They landed the sixth overall pick in the draft, and selected James Wiseman. The weird thing about this upcoming draft class has been the constant unpredictability.

In some cases, Wiseman is a consensus first overall pick and in others, he falls. He’d be a solid addition to the Pistons frontcourt alongside Griffin, Christian Wood, and Thon Maker. Where Wiseman’s place in the rotation is exactly could be up in the air, but he could definately see some starting minutes.

He’s a strong and crafty finisher at the rim, but beyond that his versatility is still in development. Once he’s able to establish a more consistent mid-range game, he’s going to be dangerous.

There’s a chance that the Pistons wouldn’t want to spend another early draft pick on a post dominant center.

Attempt #2

Moving on to the second attempt, Detroit slips all the way down to 20-62, and secures the second overall pick in the draft. With this, they select LaMelo Ball, one of the more divisive prospects in recent years.

Ball is a high-volume shooter with great distribution skills. Standing at 6’8″, he’s unbelievably tall for being a point guard. This is ideal for the Pistons. Selecting a point guard is going to be their biggest priority, and Ball could very well be their guy.

He’s currently averaging 17.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 6.8 assists on 37.5 percent shooting. So, at first glance he needs to improve his shooting. However this is significantly weighted by his poor three-point shooting, where he’s averaging just 25.0 percent.

He’s able to get to the rim with relative ease and can finish through contact. He’s one of the most interesting players in this upcoming class.

Attempt #3

This is where things got a bit weird, as the Pistons managed to win 35 games, which netted them the 10th overall pick. Not ideal for a team whose trying to rebuild. With this pick, they selected Theo Maledon.

Maledon is a low-volume shooter and a gifted passer. He’s a guy who seems to be able to make a decision with the basketball seconds before that decision even becomes available to him. His ability to operate off pick and rolls would be a perfect match in Detroit with Dwane Casey’s system.

Being as pesky of a defender as he is, he’d certainly be held in high regard in Detroit. Similar to the Pistons first round pick a season ago in Sekou Doumbouya, Maledon has one of the purest shooting strokes in the entire draft. His mechanics are perfect.

His quality scoring mixed with his above average facilitating would make him a great asset in Detroit.

Attempt #4

As we near the end of the simulation, we find the Pistons rounding out the season with a 21-61 record, and they manage to land the top overall pick in the draft. With this, they select Obi Toppin. This would be relatively bittersweet, considering Detroit desperately needs a point guard.

However, the fact remains that Toppin is one of, if not the best player in college basketball this season. At that point, you’re drafting him because you simply can’t miss out on someone like him. Toppin led an unstoppable Dayton offense this year.

Averaging 20.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, he’s a dominant force in the paint and a high flyer at the rim. Every single night it felt like he was showcasing his unbelievable dunking ability.

Whether he’s behind Blake Griffin in the rotation, or playing alongside him at small forward, Toppin would add a scoring punch to the Pistons rotation that they desperately need.

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Attempt #5

Things began to get frustrating here, as after three different attempts at a final simulation, Detroit selected LaMelo Ball every single time. After winding up with the second, fourth, and fifth picks in the draft, Ball fell to them every single time.

At that point, it feels as if maybe it’s a foregone conclusion that he could be who the Pistons select.

People haven’t been this split on a player coming into the draft since his brother, Lonzo Ball, entered the 2017 NBA Draft. People often cite LaMelo’s high volume shooting as a legitimate flaw in his game, and to an extent it is. However, his court vision often offsets his inconsistent shooting.

Using Devonte’ Graham and James Harden as examples, generally with high volume shooters you’re bound to have outlying nights where you’re just off with your shot. With Ball however, it feels like a more regular occurrence than anything else.

His shot selection is often questionable but that’s something that could be help in check once he enters the NBA.

Regardless of who the Pistons end up drafting, whether it’s Ball or not, fans should feel optimistic moving forward.