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.
Detroit Pistons Draft: Cade Cunningham is the dream scenario
Cunningham has lived up to all hype surrounding him at Oklahoma State so far this season. The freshman guard has impressed on both ends of the floor, using his elite size and length to impact the game in several ways.
Aside from his size, Cunningham’s skillset is NBA-ready. He’s already shown the ability to be a great playmaker, averaging 18.7 points and 3.6 assists per game on a team with average talent surrounding him. At 6-foot-8, Cunningham can shoot over smaller defenders and is quick enough to blow by flat-footed bigs that are switched on to him.
He has been key to the Cowboys’ surprising success this season, leading the charge in upset wins over Kansas, Texas and Texas Tech. If he’s able to showcase his talents and lead this team far in postseason play, pencil him in as the #1 overall pick.
It’s not often you find a player that has his combination of polished skills with as much room to grow like Cunningham. We’re talking multiple-time all-star as a floor assuming he can stay healthy.
If the Pistons are lucky enough to get their hands on Cunningham, it would be noteworthy to see how they would develop him alongside Killian Hayes. He seems like a more natural long-term fit at point guard with his playmaking ability and vision but can also play well off-ball. Hayes is a pure point guard but has struggled in his very short stint to start his career.
Detroit Pistons Draft: Evan Mobley could be the best player in the Draft
In some scout’s eyes, Mobley tops Cunningham as this year’s best prospect due to his length, natural defensive abilities and offensive potential.
Piston’s fans may sour on a center picked over the touted guards and wings in this draft after recently concluding the toxic Andre Drummond era where they attempted to build around a mediocre, stat-hunting big man. However, the USC freshman projects to be someone that directly contributes to winning.
The true 7-footer is averaging 16.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per contest while only scratching the surface of his full potential. At 215 lbs., he certainly needs to fill out his frame to last, but that shouldn’t keep a team from drafting him at the top.
Mobley makes plays that look easy watching but are anything but that for a player his size. While his jump shot needs work, there’s potential with him turning into an all-around scorer in time. The shooting volume is low, yet he is still nailing better than 30 percent of his three-pointers and shooting 70 percent from the free-throw line.
The Detroit Pistons will have a need for front-court players heading into the offseason with Griffin gone and injury issues with Jahlil Okafor. The addition of Mobley would give the team a premier center to build around in a league that is becoming more saturated with “do it all” big men.
Detroit Pistons Draft: Jalen Suggs is the best player on the best team
The benefit that Suggs has along with the other college prospects is the chance to show their abilities on the biggest stage when it matters most. As a freshman, Suggs is already the most dynamic player on Gonzaga, the best team in college.
While his play may be overshadowed by the team’s success and excellent play of collegiate counterparts who play on less talented teams, do not sleep on Suggs’s elite abilities. His notoriety should skyrocket if the Zags coast through the NCAA Tournament, as most are predicting.
The 19-year-old guard is averaging 14.1 points, 4.3 assists and 5.4 rebounds per game on nearly 52 percent shooting. The numbers won’t jump off the screen, but he passes the eye test with flying colors. He’s also shown to step up in big games, scoring 27 points in their toughest test vs. Iowa back in December.
Physically, Suggs has good size for a modern point and his sneaky athleticism will propel him to take advantage of minus defenders. What he may lack in physical gifts, Suggs will make up for with his uncanny knack to make the right play at the right time.
He could easily throw up better stats for a less talented team, but his competence to defer to teammates and allow the game to come to him is beyond his years.
The team who drafts Suggs surely won’t have to worry about a system or roster fit. He will simply fit in anywhere. Losing Derrick Rose mixed with the uncertainty of Killian Hayes being the team’s playmaker of the future should allow the Pistons to take a hard look at grabbing Suggs if available.
Detroit Pistons: Jalen Green is a choice from the G-League
Green, along with teammate Jonathon Kuminga leads the charge in what may be the beginning of a G-League migration of high school hoop stars. While Kuminga is also someone to watch for the next couple of months, Green’s offensive upside is something Pistons’ fans will salivate over.
In seven games with Team Ignite, Green is averaging 17.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game on 48.3 percent shooting from the floor. Even as a volume scorer and somewhat streaky shooter, Green’s elite bucket getting ability at all three levels will keep him from falling out of the top five.
His shot selection will need to be accounted for as shown with his current 29.3 percent three-point clip, but remember, Green is still adjusting to pro-level competition from just being a high school senior.
The 19-year old wing has great size and length to immediately contribute. He is a killer off the dribble, in transition and rounds out his game well by moving fluidly off the ball and finding open shots.
Think Zack Lavine with Green. It may take time for him to become an efficient playmaker, but the reward could eventually be grand.
Pure scorers will always be coveted in the NBA and Green is one of them. For the Detroit Pistons, an elite scoring wing to pair with their tough-nosed rookies would be an excellent foundation to build upon.