The Detroit Pistons have reclaimed their spot as the second-worst team in the NBA after the Houston Rockets finally won a game, breaking their 20-game losing streak.
The Pistons have been tanking competitively and getting big contributions from their rookies, so this season has been a success.
The icing on the cake would be to get the number one pick in the draft, but the odds are still stacked against it. Even with the second-worst record, Detroit still only has a 14 percent chance of getting the number one pick, so fans should probably prepare for the Pistons not to be called.
But that might not be the worst-case scenario, as there are several players making their case as the draft’s best player even though Cade Cunningham is still the consensus number one.
After Oklahoma State flamed out early and Cunningham didn’t play particularly well, there might be some uncertainty about who the best player in the draft really is.
Evan Mobley is making his case and might be the best-case scenario for Detroit.
Detroit Pistons: It’s not a one-player draft
Even though Cunningham is at the top of most draft boards, this is not a one player draft by any means.
The entire top-five is loaded with potential stars and there are players outside of the top five who might be just as good or even better.
Pistons’ fans have been dead set on the number one pick, and it would be nice, as it would put the Pistons in the driver’s seat to take whichever player they think is the best.
But if they don’t get the pick, it’s not the end of the world. For one, they could still trade up for Cunningham if they think he is the guy.
And if not? There might be a player who is even better for the Detroit Pistons.
Detroit Pistons: Evan Mobley is having a strong tournament
The NCAA Tournament is a useful tool to evaluate players, as teams get to see how they respond on the big stage on national TV with tons of pressure.
For some players, it is the first time they’ve played against elite competition, so scouts get to see how they hold up against other talented players.
But we can’t take too much from a one and done tournament, as sometimes players have off games at the wrong time or have teammates that don’t step up, as was the case with Cade Cunningham and Oklahoma State.
Should Cunningham be dinged because his teammates weren’t very good? Does he take the hit for his team’s early exit?
On the opposite side, Evan Mobley’s USC Trojans just dismantled a very good Kansas team and now look like a dark horse to win the whole tournament.
Mobley has played very well in the two games, adding another 10 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and three blocks while showing his tantalizing all-around skills.
Mobley is now onto the Sweet-16 and will get at least one more game to showcase his skills to NBA scouts. Will this be enough to vault him to the number one overall pick?
Either way, the Detroit Pistons will be interested, as he might be the best fit of any player in the top-ten.
Detroit Pistons: Is Mobley a better fit than Cunningham?
If the Detroit Pistons think Cade Cunningham is the best player and they get a chance to take him, then that will be the pick, case closed.
The Pistons are not in a position to worry about fit at this point, as they need to amass as much talent as possible and if they believe Cunningham is the best player in this draft, then they will take him.
But if Cunningham is not there when Detroit picks, it may work out better for them in the long run because Evan Mobley looks like a better fit.
For one, the Pistons already have a glut of point guards, including the seventh pick from last year’s draft, Killian Hayes, who has yet to show what he can do in the league.
Mobley is a seven-footer but is more of a Chris Bosh type of player who will do most of his damage away from the hoop, so he and Isaiah Stewart would be a nice fit. The Pistons would have two rim protectors who can stretch the floor and Stewart still provides a physical presence down low.
A lineup of Hayes, Saddiq Bey, Jerami Grant, Isaiah Stewart and Evan Mobley would be long, athletic and versatile defensively, as they can all defend multiple spots on the floor.
Mobley would give the Pistons the rim protection that they lack and could end up being the best player in this draft anyway, so if Detroit doesn’t get the number one pick, it could work out in their favor.
After watching what Troy Weaver has done so far, I trust his vision and talent evaluation WAY more than my own, so I have faith he’ll take the right guy for their draft spot.
The motto of the season has been “Fade for Cade” but if the Detroit Pistons end up with Mobley, they’ll be happy.