One crucial mistake the Detroit Pistons need to avoid in the NBA Draft

The Detroit Pistons need to pace themselves as we approach the NBA Draft.

With just under one week until the NBA Draft takes place, the Detroit Pistons are hoping to find a player who can comfortably receive the keys to the franchise.

While that may be a bit difficult to find in this class, one that has been consistently regarded as one of the weaker in recent years, the sentiment remains the same. Detroit desperately needs someone to jumpstart their progress.

Though it could be subject to change, the Pistons currently only posses one pick this year at seventh overall.

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Players like Killian Hayes, Tyrese Haliburton, Onyeka Okongwu, Patrick Williams, and a few others are all potential candidates if they fall to Detroit. Although fans were disappointed that we once again fell in the order, the good news is that the player(s) we wanted all along will still likely be available.

That is, unless you were hoping for LaMelo Ball or Anthony Edwards. For all intents and purposes since he seems to be the ideal fit, let’s use Ball as the example.

The crucial mistake that the Pistons desperately need to avoid this year is over paying for a draft pick that you aren’t even all that sure about. This isn’t Zion Williamson, this isn’t a Luka Doncic or a Jayson Tatum caliber player coming into the draft, this is a massive question mark.

As a result, we’ve seen both Minnesota and Golden State (two teams with the top picks this year) hoping to trade down. While some reason could be chalked up to finances, the reality is that there’s no surefire decision here.

So if Detroit finds themselves in a position that CBS Sports proposed they may, one where they lose Tony Snell and a future first rounder in order to move up to number one, that’s a separate conversation. That’s not necessarily over paying by any means.

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In that instance, it just comes down to how badly you want to make a selection in 2022, a class that is expected to be loaded with talent.

But as it stands, Luke Kennard feels like one of the only realistic assets that could be moved in order to obtain a pick higher in the order. At that point, trading one of your best shooter while drafting a point guard in the process feels counterintuitive.

Especially when you factor in that Ball doesn’t have the best shot making ability right now. Surrounding him with perimeter talent is exactly what he’d need. Trading your best wing away sets you back.

This is exactly why staying at seventh is perfectly fine. You could still end up with Killian Hayes, who by the approximation of some is a top two point guard in this class. On top of that, he’s a better offensive weapon.

The Pistons don’t have many assets as it is, and to use what you do have on a pick that we can’t say with great certainty will transcend your franchise in the way that you need feels wrong. If Detroit landed a top pick this year, it’s a different discussion.

But as it stands, overpaying in any sense to move up in this draft could be an irrevocably bad mistake.

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