Detroit Pistons: The final case for drafting Patrick Williams

The NBA Draft is coming up on Wednesday. It is time to take a final look at the top prospects, and how they would fit with the Detroit Pistons. Here, we make the case for, and against: Florida State forward Patrick Williams.

The Promise.

More to the point, the rumored-about promise the Detroit Pistons made to Patrick Williams to draft him if he is still on the board at No. 7.

Of course, no one knows if this is actually true or just draft gossip. But there is definite buzz that the Pistons having given Williams some kind of guarantee.

Williams going to Detroit would be an interesting choice.

In Hoops Hype latest aggregation of mock drafts, none of 12 drafts it uses had Williams going higher than No. 8. Detroit picks seventh. Most had him going in the 10-15 range.

Do the Pistons like the 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward more than most experts? Is that why they supposedly made him a promise?

When an NBA team promises to pick a player, in return the player usually then does not work out for other teams. The theory is, a team will not draft a player it could not see personally.

Of course, this theory only works if the Pistons stay at No. 7. You could also have a team higher up in the draft who sniffed out Detroit’s interest and get Williams first, knowing he will be gone at No. 7.

Promise or no promise, the Pistons are definitely giving a hard look at Williams.

Final case made: Why Detroit should draft  Patrick Williams

He did not have eye-popping stats for the Seminoles. Williams only averaged 9.2 points and 4.0 rebounds in his only collegiate season. He was voted ACC Sixth Man of the Year.

Youth and potential are Williams biggest positives.

Williams can play the small and power forward positions. He was not a great outside shooter in college, but he also did not attempt many three-pointers. He did hit 83% of his free throws, so his basic shooting mechanics are good.

Defense is where Williams stands out the most. He is sturdy enough to guard power forwards but athletic enough to stay with quick small forwards. Having a defensive standout in the frontcourt, is certainly something the Pistons could use.

Detroit likes young players it can work with. Williams just turned 19 in late August. He might be the youngest player taken in the first round.

Like last year’s first-round selection, Sekou Doumboya, Williams is raw but with lots of potential to grow. If they went with that type last year, why not this time?

Final arguments: The case against drafting Patrick Williams

Very simple. If you are not good enough to start for your college team, you should not be drafted in the top 10.

Yes, Florida State was loaded last year. They won the ACC regular season and were a contender to make the Final Four. However, it still would be nice to take someone who, like, started in college.

Playing with so much talent, Williams was not asked to carry the team on his shoulders, unlike a lot of top 10 candidates.

Williams really is a big unknown. He seems to have all-around good skills. The one facet of the game that does stand out, is his defense. Of course, who will he match up with defensively in the NBA? Could he handle slashers to the basket or bulky power forwards? His body-type is kind of inbetween.

He may have potential but, what is the old saying? Playing potential gets a coach fired.

Verdict

If Williams is selected by the Pistons, it will be purely that general manager Troy Weaver sees something in him, that most draft ‘experts’ and NBA teams do not.

Williams might have a lot of potential but it is certainly unrealized at this point. Not having even been a starter in his one year of college, learning the ropes will certainly take some time.

Of course, Detroit does have the time . If Weaver feels like Williams will be a better player in 2023 than what else is available at No. 7, he would be expected to pull the trigger.

The Promise, if there was one, may very well be kept.