With an uncertain amount of time between now and the NBA Draft, who are some prospects that can be compared to current players and should the Detroit Pistons be interested?
If the regular season were to end today, the Detroit Pistons would be in realistic position to secure a top 5 pick for the first time since 2003.
As it seems the Pistons are in the beginning stages of a rebuild, the outcome of this draft has escalated into becoming an important chapter of what the future could hold for Detroit basketball.
With postseason play canceled in the NCAA and plans for a scouting combine up in the air, the evaluation of players will undoubtedly be more difficult.
In a draft with very few certainties and many holes to fill on the roster, it will be interesting to see the Pistons’ approach.
If one thing is certain, comparing college prospects to their future NBA counterparts seems to be one of the more fun ways to project their upcoming careers at the next level.
Anthony Edwards
NBA Player Comparison: Victor Oladipo
It’s hard to see Edwards dropping outside of the top three as the Georgia guard averaged 19.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game while producing some jaw dropping highlights in his highly anticipated freshman campaign.
The Pistons could use a two-way wing like Edwards who has gifted athletic abilities and a high offensive ceiling.
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Edwards possesses the tools to be the number one overall pick in what many see as a weak draft.
Like Edwards, Oladipo found himself in a draft in 2013 without a consensus best player.
Cleveland infamously took a chance on Anthony Bennett over Oladipo, among others. The sophomore guard from Indiana may have turned out to be the best player of the draft if it wasn’t for Milwaukee taking “some kid” from Greece named Giannis at 15 overall.
While Edwards is actually slightly taller than Oladipo, both players similarly use their length and quickness to play elite on-ball defense. Both have the ability to score inside and out, while Oladipo has improved gradually his jump shot since entering the league.
If Edwards can polish his already dynamic offensive game the way Oladipo has, watch out.
The Pistons would be ecstatic to land a player like Edwards who would instantly become a foundational piece to the rebuild.