Detroit Pistons: The final case for drafting Tyrese Haliburton
The Detroit Pistons are pointing to the NBA Draft coming on Wednesday. It is time to take a final look at the top prospects, and how they would fit with the Pistons. Here, we make the case for, and against: Iowa State guard Tyrese Haliburton.
The Detroit Pistons and Tyrese Haliburton have been linked since the NBA Draft Lottery. Many mock drafts have Haliburton going between 6 and 8 ,so him ended up going to the Pistons at No. 7 is a major possibility.
Unlike most of those being considered to be drafted in the top 10, Haliburton was not some AAU or high school phenom. Until the summer before his senior year, he was not even getting a lot of college offers.
Most people first took notice of the 6-foot-5, 175-pound guard at the 2019 FIBA U-19 Basketball World Cup in Greece. He had a team-high eight assists for the United States in the Gold Medal game against Mali.
A solid sophomore season at Iowa State (which ended on February 8 due to wrist injury) launched him into the top of NBA mock draft lists. Rookie Wire has rated him as high as No. 2 in their mock draft.
Haliburton and Killian Hayes have been linked to the Pistons more than any other player in the draft.
Since their season ended in March, the Pistons basketball staff have been evaluating Haliburton for a long, long time. Detroit GM Troy Weaver has even said they might have overscouted, prospects, with all the time they have had.
Final case made: Why Detroit should draft Tyrese Haliburton
There are few flaws in Haliburton’ when you watch him. Considering he is only 20-years-old, to play such a smart, all-around game at his age is rare.
His sophomore year for the Cyclones, Haliburton showed he could score (15.2 points average, over 50% from the field), pass (6.5 assists) and is even an above-average rebounder for a guard (5.9 rebounds).
Haliburton also sports a great 4.5 to 1 assist/turnover ratio, very good for a young player in his first year as the main ballhandler.
He also shot a sparkling 43.4% percent on three-pointers.
Although only 175 pounds, Haliburton was able to handle bulkier players on the defensive end. He also was good at getting in the passing lanes, averaging 2.5 steals a game.
Haliburton has had to work to get ahead his entire career, so he will bring a real blue-collar attitude.
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There being so many other top-rated players with obvious flaws, it would not be surprising if Haliburton went before Detroit picked.
The case for the Pistons passing on Tyrese Haliburton
Haliburton is such a refined a player at such a young age, one has to ask if he has already reached his ceiling.
While other prospects may not be as good right now, they might be loaded with more potential. A few years from now, they could pass by Haliburton as a player.
The Pistons are not the Bucks. They are not in win-now mode. Weaver would prefer the player who will be better in two years and in the future.
Like many of the guards being considered for the top 10, Haliburton has a slim build. Being 175 pounds is going to get him posted up a lot, or knocked off in a pick-and-roll.
Haliburton’s size was not a problem in college. However, going against a wily veteran like 34-year-old like Kyle Lowry, it could become a concern.
Verdict
On paper, Haliburton seems to be the kind of playmaking guard the Pistons are looking to draft. If they assume Haliburton will fill out his frame as he gets older, there is little not to like.
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Haliburton is also a mature enough player that coach Dwane Casey can start him from Game One. After drafting for the future last year with Sekou Doumboya, Detroit probably does not want to take on another project two years in a row.
If Detroit stays at the No. 7 position, it would not be a shock if they selected Haliburton.