Saddiq Bey May Be the Best Pick From the Detroit Pistons Draft Class

While Killian Hayes is in the spotlight of the Detroit Pistons draftees, Saddiq Bey has the potential to be the best player.

In a year in which the Detroit Pistons roster has been completely restructured, first year general manager Troy Weaver made it clear that he was ready to rebuild the roster by acquiring young talent in this year’s NBA draft.

Before the draft, the Pistons entered the draft possessing just their seventh overall selection in the first round. By the end of the night with the 16th and 19th picks to go along with the seventh pick.

While it did come at the cost of trading away fan favorite Luke Kennard, and a heavily protected future first-round pick, it cemented the direction in which the franchise is heading.

After selecting French point guard Killian Hayes with their first selection and Washington center Isaiah Stewart with their second pick, Weaver and the Pistons selected Villanova Sophomore Saddiq Bey with their third, and final, first-round selection.

Although many Pistons fans are, and rightfully so are, getting excited for Hayes to team up with French counterpart Sekou Doubmouya this year, there is a chance he may not be the best new acquisition for the Pistons. Saddiq Bey has the tools to be remembered as the Pistons best draft selection, and maybe one of the best overall, from this year’s draft.

As the NBA has started to pivot towards “positionless” basketball, size and versatility are two of the most important qualities that teams look for in prospects. Saddiq Bey is a six-foot-eight forward who has the ability to stretch the floor by his ability to play multiple positions.

In C.J Holmes piece from The Athletic (paid subscription required) about Bey, Holmes shares a quote from Villanova head coach Jay Wright lauding Bey for his unique ability to be a versatile player saying “I think he can play wing, point, two guard. He’s got that versatility that he can defend every position. … I really think his game fits the NBA.”

Being able to be versatile in the NBA today can help Bey keep an advantage against his opponents and create mismatches to the Pistons’ benefit.

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Just as teams are moving towards “positionless” basketball, it has become almost necessary for every player on the court to be able to shoot from three.

During his sophomore year, Bey averaged 16.1 point per game while shooting 45.1 percent from three point range on 5.6 attempts per game. Being able to shoot that well at a high rate is encouraging since he is still a young player who can grow into an even better shooter.

While both of the aforementioned parts of Bey’s game are very important in growing as a player as he matures, many NBA prospects possess the ability to be versatile and a good shooter.

What can turn him into a star in the NBA is his obsession with basketball and curiosity to learn more. With the impact and large role that social media plays in people’s lives today, it can be hard to focus on one thing and strive to become great at that one thing.

After only one day of training camp, he is already being noticed for his hunger for improving his game and working to become the best player possible.

While speaking with The Athletic’s James Edwards III, (paid subscription required) star forward Blake Griffin said “One of my favorite things about him(Bey) is his hunger and getting better at basketball. That’s all he talks about, all he cares about”.

Getting this level of praise from a star like Griffin right off the bat is quite a good way to start off your NBA experience.

At the end of the day, Bey is still a young player who has much time before he is expected to be the full grown player that he can soon be.

But once he hits his prime, and his role continues to grow he can turn into the player that Detroit Pistons fans are searching for during the rebuild. For now, all fans can do is wait and see how all of these rookies work out.