Detroit Pistons: The domino effect that the next draft pick will cause

The Detroit Pistons will trigger an interesting domino effect as soon as they make their selection in the upcoming NBA Draft.

The 2020 NBA Draft is just under a month away, and as it stands the Detroit Pistons are set to make the seventh selection. They don’t currently own another pick, but that could be subject to change.

Fans have been clamoring for months now over the idea that Detroit could select Killian Hayes as their next point guard. While that could certainly end up being the case, it’s uncertain if he’ll be on the board when the Pistons make their pick.

There are a plethora of names that could potentially come to the Motor City, and we’ve more or less covered all the bases on who those names could be.

In an ideal world, yes, that player would be Hayes. Tyrese Haliburton is another popular option with the fan base, and essentially in an ideal world, people just want Detroit to invest in a point guard.

However, they could opt to select Onyeka Okongwu from USC as well. If it comes down to drafting the best player available, as Ed Stefanski once eluded to, then he could fall into the Pistons lap.

Whoever Detroit ends up drafting will trigger a domino effect that will set the landscape for both the long term and short term future.

If they do elect to draft a point guard, no matter who that may be, then the idea of signing Fred VanVleet in free agency is likely no longer a feasible option.

While to be fair, we have no idea if the Pistons actually have any interest in him, the rumor has just been floating around for a considerably long time and fans have weighed in on his potential arrival plenty of times at this point.

The general consensus is that most didn’t want him anyways, so in some sense this would be ideal. Assuming the draftee is Hayes, then congratulations! The Pistons are going to save a lot of money this offseason.

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If that player winds up being Okongwu, or any big man for that matter, then the idea of signing Harry Giles could go out the window as well.

In this case, there hasn’t even been a single rumor. It’s pure speculation and just seems to be one of Detroit’s better options this offseason to bolster their front court depth. He’s going to walk out on Sacramento, and the Pistons will have more than enough open cap to bring him in.

Drafting a big man doesn’t totally put a bullet in this idea though. If Thon Maker isn’t retained, there hasn’t been any indication that Detroit wants to re-sign John Henson, so we’d be left with Christian Wood (assuming he re-signs) and the aforementioned draft pick.

(Justin Patton’s future with the team is uncertain at this point)

In this scenario, Giles could still be brought on board. Even if Maker returns next season, Having the added depth would be a bonus.

To be totally fair, this domino effect isn’t exclusive to the Pistons. It’s part of the fundamental process of literally every single team in the league.

It just feels a bit more pressing for Detroit, considering they want to try to get a jump start on their rebuild. We have every reason to believe the Pistons will be fiscally responsible this offseason, considering the current regime has done nothing but positive things thus far.