Per usual, the NBA draft will be the most anticipated day of the year for most Detroit Pistons‘ fans. Yet, the expectation for this year will be greater than most – here’s why.
For those who have (im)patiently waited, hoped, and prayed for a new direction to the future of Detroit basketball, the time may finally be here. For those who have dreamt of a promising star donning the Pistons’ colors and leading the team out of a decade spell of mediocrity, there may be a light and the end of the tunnel.
Now, knock on wood.
The Detroit Pistons stink. And in a 2021 NBA draft that is being touted the best in years, that is alright. In fact, that’s great.
A stink job could not have come at a more appropriate time for the franchise, as they do not have to worry (at least for the majority of this season) of playing with little fans because of league COVID protocols.
The team recently traded their best guard in Derrick Rose and will continue to search for a destination for Blake Griffin. The departure of the former superstars will no doubt take away some needed leadership in a young locker room, but that will only give way for other players to step up.
Optically, this seems like a classic tank job, whether or not Troy Weaver intended this team to lack the front-end talent to compete for a playoff spot. The Detroit Pistons can use this season to develop their youth acquired in the draft and hopefully find some trade value in their other aging veterans.
Aside from Killian Hayes, who has had some growing pains and now misses time with injury, the Pistons rookies have looked promising. The promise is not equating to many wins at this point, but a young core will be essential to building a bright future.
There seems to be a consensus top-five prospects in this year’s crop, and a sizeable dropoff after that. For a bad team, it is never too early to look ahead to draft day. Especially in a draft that is loaded with this level of premier talent at the top.