Pistons draft picks: Drew Timme could be a Mason Plumlee clone in NBA

The Detroit Pistons will have their eyes on several players when Gonzaga takes on Baylor in the NCAA Championship tonight.

Obviously, they’ll be watching Jalen Suggs, who has been spectacular in the tournament and has put himself in the conversation as the number one overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Suggs could be the next Mr. Big Shot in Detroit but some of his teammates might also be on the Pistons’ radar.

Corey Kispert will probably not be in the Pistons’ draft range unless he inexplicably falls to the second round, but guard Joel Ayayi is a guy they might take a look at with one of their second-round picks.

Another player who might garner some interest is power forward Drew Timme, whose game is very similar to current Pistons’ center Mason Plumlee.

If the Pistons decided to go this route in the second round, they might have the next slow but skilled big man in the NBA.

Detroit Pistons: Drew Timme and Mason Plumlee are similar players

Many people laughed when the Pistons signed Mason Plumlee to a three-year deal in the offseason but few are laughing now.

Plumlee has been great, putting up just under a double-double while averaging 3.6 assists per game, which is 3rd in the NBA for centers.

He has shown that even though he doesn’t have great athleticism or foot speed he can make up for it with passing, shooting and overall basketball I.Q.

Drew Timme is already a better scorer than Plumlee, but will likely be a similar payer if he makes an NBA roster.

He is a skilled big man with questionable foot speed who can shoot from the mid-range, rebound, pass and isn’t the greatest defender. Sound familiar?

If the Pistons decided to go with a big man with one of their second-round picks, Timme has proven himself to be a winner with skill, traits the Pistons could use. Detroit has plenty of athletes but could use more skill players who can score and Timme projects as a guy who could do it at the next level.

Like Plumlee, he will have to use his basketball I.Q. and toolbox of tricks to overcome his lack of athleticism but unlike Plumlee, Timme is a guy who could eventually step out and hit the NBA 3-pointer, which would definitely improve his chances of making the league.

Jalen Suggs isn’t the only player to keep an eye on today, as Gonzaga is loaded with talent including a guy the Pistons could consider in the second round.