Possible Detroit Pistons draft picks outside of the top-five

Possible Detroit Pistons draft picks: Scottie Barnes

Scottie Barnes out of Florida State is another guy whose versatility and high basketball IQ may catch Troy Weaver’s eye if the Detroit Pistons drop out of the top-five.

Barnes is another forward with guard skills who has drawn comparisons to Draymond Green because of his playmaking out of the power forward position.

Strengths: Barnes can do a little bit of everything and is 6-foot-9 which is intriguing. He has a nonstop motor on both ends, runs the floor well and can create for his teammates in the fast break or in the half court. He is long and versatile and should be able to defend all over the floor. He could be a perfect small-ball center or power forward for a position-less team like the Detroit Pistons are building.

Weaknesses: Barnes can be a little sloppy with the ball and needs to clean up his turnovers. He has plus length but has not been a great shot blocker, though he does get a lot of deflections and steals. He can’t shoot from long range and and may never be able to, then again, they said all the same things about Draymond Green.

How he fits on the Pistons: So far, one of the traits Weaver and the Detroit Pistons have clearly coveted in the rebuild is relentless hustle. The Pistons play hard and are trying to build a culture around defense and effort. Barnes would fit right in with this ethos, as he is a guy who never takes a play off and could end up being a versatile force on the defensive end. Also, his playmaking would help take some pressure off Killian Hayes and Jerami Grant, who are going to be the Pistons’ primary ball-handlers next season.