Detroit Pistons: Where would Saddiq Bey be drafted now?

After watching Saddiq Bey score 30 points for the Detroit Pistons on 7-of-7 from 3-point range, a whole lot of teams are wondering how they missed out.

Bey was inexplicably the 19th pick in the 2020 Draft, a gross misevaluation of his talent.

Teams get hung up on buzzwords like “elite athleticism” and “length” which sometimes makes them pass on guys like Bey, who doesn’t jump out of the gym or run like a track star.

But Bey is already one of the better defenders from his draft, is shooting 41 percent from long range and would definitely be playing for many of the contenders who passed on him for what they thought was “high ceiling” talent.

How’s that ceiling looking now?

Saddiq Bey would definitely go higher if the draft was held again, but how much higher?

Detroit Pistons: Where would Saddiq Bey be drafted now?

There are at least five teams that drafted ahead of the Detroit Pistons who would almost certainly draft Saddiq Bey if given another opportunity.

The Phoenix Suns are 18th in 3-point shooting and could use some additional size on the wing. Same with the Spurs and Pelicans, two teams who hope to make the playoffs but are middle of the pack when it comes to shooting.

The Pelicans in particular would love to have the 2020 draft to do again, as they have no backup for All-Star Brandon Ingram and are desperate for a wing who can defend. They will likely end up having to trade assets to get one when they could have just taken Bey instead of “high ceiling” prospect Kira Lewis Jr.

If the draft were done again, the top six or seven picks probably wouldn’t change. Would the Knicks reconsider Obi Toppin and take Bey 8th?

The Suns, Spurs and Pelicans would all almost certainly take Bey with the 10th, 11th or 13th pick and there is absolutely no way that the Boston Celtics would pass on Bey for Aaron Nesmith, who has barely played.

The fastest way to rebuild is to hit in the draft, especially if you do can do it with a later pick. It appears the Detroit Pistons have done that with both Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart.

The book is still out on Killian Hayes, but if the Pistons can do well in the 2021 draft they will have an exciting young core that is looking better every night.