Detroit Pistons: Grading the 2020 NBA Draft

No. 19 Saddiq Bey

Unlike Lee, the Detroit Pistons are thought to have gotten a steal, being able to nab Villanova forward Saddiq Bey at No. 19. The Hoops Hype aggregate of mock drafts placed him at 14th. Ironically, Detroit had the 14th pick but did not select him there.

The Pistons received the 19th overall pick as part of a three-way trade involving the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers. It cost the Pistons fan favorite Luke Kennard, but Detroit did pick up veteran Rodney McGruber from the Clippers as part of the deal.

The one thing that can be learned about Villanova players who are drafted: They are almost never a bust, particularly recently. From Mikal Bridges, to Josh Hart, to Eric Paschall and a smallish guard named Kyle Lowry, Wildcats players at least perform to their expectations _ and usually exceed them.

Bey is a typical Villanova product. He is fundamentally sound, is team-oriented and has a positive work ethic.

Bey is a 6-foot-7, 217 pound small forward who averaged 16.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in his sophomore season. He also shot 45% from the three-point line. He won the Julius Erving Award as the top small forward in college basketball.

The most used phrase to describe Bey’s game is: solid. He does not do any one thing great, but he does everything well. If he was a little more athletic, he probably would have been taken in the top 10.

On offense, he can shoot the spot-up three, particularly from the wings. Bey is also someone who gets out in transition, and can drive hard to the basket.

On defense, Bey is not an incredible athlete with the quickness to stymie an opponent. But, the Villanova training kicking in, he is a smart defender and has a 6-foot-9 wingspan to cause the player he is defending trouble. The guy he is guarding may score, but he will never get beat due to being out of position or losing his man.

Basically, coach Dwane Casey can plug in Bey at the ‘3’ and not worry about that position for the next 7-9 years, knowing he will receive a solid effort. Is he a future All-Star? Probably not, but he is a player who will be a solid contributor for a long time

Due to some players sliding lower in the draft than expected (Tyrese Haliburton 12th? Wow), Bey lasted a few spots longer than expected. To have a player like that available at 19, is a real good get for the Pistons.

For a team building toward the future, it is a solid brick in the foundation. The cost being Kennard is the only downside.

Grade: A