This week I have been doing draft previews for mid-major conferences, and if their all-conference teams can make an impact in the NBA Draft at all, and how seriously the Detroit Pistons should take them.
Earlier this week we looked at the Horizon League and the Missouri Valley Conference and concluded that there is little to no NBA talent in those conferences, and with a few exceptions, the Pistons should look elsewhere come draft night.
However, those two conferences don’t really have a history when it comes to developing NBA Talent. The Mountain West Conference was home to NBA stars like Kahwi Leonard, Christian Wood, and Larry Nance Jr.
Even their busts are big-name players who received national attention. Remember Jimmer Fredette and Anthony Bennett? Both products of the Mountain West. Of course, BYU has since left the conference, but they can still claim Jimmer if they want. Kings fans, I’m sorry but you did that to yourselves.
This year’s All-MWC team is represented by Boise State, Colorado State, Nevada, San Diego State, and Utah State. The last two are in the tournament, so keep an eye on their star players. Both teams have Cinderella potential, so a deep run is not out of the question.
SDSU actually has a pretty easy run for a six seed, so they have the potential to go very far. Utah State is going up against Texas Tech in round one, but if they somehow pull that one out then they also have a good shot.
Here are some players from those teams that might watch the Detroit Pistons’ eye on draft day.
Possible Detroit Pistons draft picks: Derrick Alston Jr, Guard, Boise State
Derrick Alston almost declared for the 2020 NBA Draft but came back for one more year. And it was a great choice.
At 6-foot-9 and 190 pounds, the oversized guard has a massive reach that allows him to shoot over defenders, so his offensive numbers are really good. He shoots 50/40/82 and puts up decent assists and rebounds.
Unfortunately, the Detroit Pistons do not need another guard, and if he transitioned to forward he’d be competing with Saddiq Bey. While the idea of these two playing together could be intriguing, the Pistons are a basement-dwelling team and should not use picks on an experiment.
VERDICT: POSSIBLE NBA TALENT, JUST NOT IN DETROIT
David Roddy, Forward, Colorado State
David Roddy is listed as a forward, but he plays guard. He’s only a sophomore, but his second-year numbers are crazy.
Averaging 16 points on efficient shooting, Roddy also grabs seven rebounds a game. That is wild for a college guard. He’s strong, powerful, and only really lacking a three-point shot.
I’m aware I’m getting ahead of myself, but he could be the next Russell Westbrook. He’s powerful enough to shove past defenders to get to the hoop, and he gives you another rebounding threat.
I love Roddy as a draft pick, but that opportunity probably won’t happen for a few years. If he continues to improve at his current pace, he could even be a late first-round pick.
VERDICT: GET HIM IF YOU CAN
Possible Detroit Pistons draft picks: Grant Sherfield, Guard, Nevada
Grant Sherfield played his first season at Witchita State before moving to Nevada. At WSU his numbers were totally forgettable, but in his first year as a full-time starter, the Shockers saw what they missed out on.
He scored 18 points each night and racks up more than a steal and a half. He also dishes out six assists and grabs 3.7 rebounds, which isn’t bad for a 6-foot-2 guard.
He still has two years of college left, and I suspect he’ll play both seasons unless he breaks out next year. Nevada can make the tourney next year, so it isn’t out of the question.
Right now, I think Detroit should see how he plays out, but adding another three-and-D player would not be the worst move ever.
VERDICT: WAIT AND SEE, BUT BE HOPEFUL
Matt Mitchell, Forward, San Diego State University
Matt Mitchell was the Mountain West player of the year, which should carry a lot of weight.
Due to similarities in school and size, I can’t help but compare him to fellow Aztec Kawhi Leonard. It should be noted that if not for the pandemic, SDSU would have been a 1 or 2 seed in the 2020 NCAA tournament, with Mitchell leading the way.
None of his numbers are jaw-dropping, but he does all of it well. He can score, pass, rebound, and play very good defense. Much like Kawhi coming out of college.
I think he will become a solid NBA player, and I’d like to see the Pistons consider him. I could be the only one, but if I’m right about this then Detroit could hit the jackpot.
VERDICT: IF YOU TAKE HIM I MIGHT BE THE ONLY ONE CHEERING, BUT THAT’S STILL SOMETHING
Possible Detroit Pistons draft picks: Neemias Queta, Center, Utah State
Neemias Queta is a junior, but he once considered taking the one-and-done route. At 7 feet tall, he is a true center, which is rare in a small conference. He is a two-time MWC DPOY, and this season he averaged a whopping 3.2 blocks per game. He also scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
As of now, I love this pick. I think grabbing a seven-footer late in the draft to develop makes a lot of sense, especially if the Detroit Pistons ditch Jahlil Okafor. Queta is athletic, strong, and an elite rim protector. We don’t have that on the roster right now, and he’s worth taking a closer look at. Plus, he’s from Portugal, and foreign players are just cool to see play.
Luckily, Utah State has made the tournament, so all eyes will be on him this weekend. If he lives up to the expectations or exceeds them, I love this pick for Detroit.
When doing research for the Horizon League, Mountain West, and Missouri Valley draft overviews, I didn’t expect to find a pick I was 100 percent sure on. Queta is the needle in the haystack, and if he’s there in the second round, go for it.
VERDICT: DRAFT HIM