One thing the Detroit Pistons will have to consider when making their 2021 draft selection is how that player fits with the young guys they already have, including Killian Hayes, Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart.
We’ve already looked at how Cade Cunningham might fit with Hayes, as well as how Evan Mobley might look playing alongside Isaiah Stewart.
Another guy who is definitely on the Pistons’ radar is G-league shooting guard Jalen Green, who some believe will end up being the best player in this draft.
Even if the Pistons were to get the number one pick overall, there are some who believe they should trade down to get Green while picking up a haul of assets in the process.
There are certainly some pros and cons to trading the number one pick, but it would be a home run if the Pistons could pick up a bunch of assets and get the best player anyway.
But how would Jalen Green fit with Killian Hayes? There is a lot to like about this pairing, which could be the Pistons’ backcourt for the next decade.
Detroit Pistons: Jalen Green would give Pistons elite perimeter defense
Jalen Green and Killian Hayes would have defensive potential not seen on the Pistons for a very long time.
Green could end up being the best perimeter defender in this draft, and would give the Pistons two guys with plus size on the perimeter.
Both Hayes and Green project as two guys who can defend the entire perimeter, so the Pistons would be sticking with their model of building around defense and could be one of the best in the NBA with a lineup of Hayes, Green, Saddiq Bey, Jerami Grant and Isaiah Stewart.
That is a whole lot of length, versatility and athleticism on the defensive end, especially when you then factor in Josh Jackson and/or Hamidou Diallo off the bench.
If the Detroit Pistons truly want to build around defense, then Green might be the best fit.
Detroit Pistons: Killian Hayes needs a shooter
Jalen Green can score from all over the floor, whether it is using his quickness to get to the rim or pulling up from 3-point range.
Green shot 36.5 percent from 3-point range in the G-League on a fairly high volume of 5.7 attempts per game. Unlike the guys coming out of college, Green did this from the NBA 3-point line against NBA defenders.
Hayes has shown himself to be a talented passer and playmaker, but the problem right now is that his teammates aren’t knocking down the shots.
Ideally, the Pistons can pair Hayes with someone who can hit jumpers off the catch as well as move and slash off the ball to take advantage of Hayes’ passing, which could end up being his elite skill.
Green could end up being one of the better shooters in this draft, which would not only open up more space for Hayes to operate, but would turn more of his passes into assists.
Jalen Green will come into the NBA ready to score , which would benefit Hayes in several ways.
Detroit Pistons: Killian Hayes and Jalen Green in the pick-and-roll
Dwane Casey has said that the two things the Detroit Pistons really loved about Killian Hayes were his defense and his ability to run the pick-and-roll.
Whoever the Pistons end up drafting should be a guy who can run the pick-and-roll effectively with Hayes.
They need a guy who is either a lights-out shooter who forces teams to try and go over screens and opens up lanes for Hayes to penetrate, a guy with elite quickness who can dive to the rim and get buckets in the lane or a player who can take advantage of mismatches after the defense has switched on screens.
Jalen Green can do all of those things, so could be a dynamic pick-and-roll partner with Killian Hayes, especially if Hayes continues to get more comfortable hitting runners and floaters in the mid-range.
With Hayes’ passing and Green’s quickness and shooting, defenses would have to choose their poison and the two would be very difficult to stop.
Jalen Green is a dawg on defense, can score from all over and has the quickness and shooting to run the pick-and-roll, so he might be the best overall fit with Killian Hayes.
This won’t be the only measure the Detroit Pistons use of course, but if they are going to take a guard, they should take the one that best fits with Hayes long term.