The Detroit Pistons are building something special and have a chance to add even more impact talent in the 2021 NBA Draft.
The Pistons had one of their best drafts in franchise history last year, nabbing four guys who look to be potential impact players.
Killian Hayes has shown flashes of what made him the seventh overall pick and at minimum he’ll be a good passing point guard who can defend multiple spots on the perimeter.
Saddiq Bey is breaking records nearly every night and is closing in on the All-Time rookie record for made 3-pointers. He has also shown potentially elite defense on the perimeter.
Isaiah Stewart has been the best rookie center this season, leading all rookies in rebounds, blocked shots and field goal percentage.
Even second-round pick Saben Lee has outplayed his draft status and looks like a potential keeper for next season’s roster.
With four picks in the 2021 NBA Draft, fans are excited to see what Troy Weaver will do next, as his first season with Detroit has been nothing short of excellent.
Detroit Pistons: What do the Pistons need from the NBA Draft?
I talked about the Pistons’ top priorities in the NBA Draft, but it really just comes down to adding more impact talent.
The Pistons are still far from being a good team, so they can’t worry too much about fit, though it would be nice to add a shooter if they can find one in the second round.
Otherwise, Troy Weaver is going to continue doing what he’s been doing, which is grabbing guys who fit his vision of how to build a team.
The one commonality between all of his picks and acquisitions so far is that they can defend, so I wouldn’t be shocked if the Pistons used one of their three second-round picks to grab another hard-nosed defender.
Miles McBride fits the profile of what Troy Weaver seems to like. Let’s take a look at his strengths and weaknesses, as well as how he fits on the Pistons.
Pistons draft picks: Miles McBride’s strengths
McBride very much fits the profile of a Weaver guy, as he is tough, and is a pesky on-the-ball defender with great hands.
McBride showed defensive intensity and athleticism throughout his Sophomore season, which is what the Pistons are trying to build around. He played potential number one pick Cade Cunningham tough in the two teams’ second matchup, holding him to 17 points and making them difficult.
He is also an underrated scorer and passer who has the strength and accuracy to score from the post to the 3-point line.
He shot 41 percent on 3-pointers this season, often flashing NBA range.
He takes care of the ball, makes smart plays in transition and is a guy who has been compared to a poor man’s Kyle Lowry, which is pretty high praise for a second-round pick.
Pistons draft picks: Miles McBride’s weaknesses
Even though McBride is a good shooter from long range, he wasn’t the most efficient player in college and his true shooting percentage of 54 percent is not great, though part of that came from a fairly high usage rate that he’ll never have as a pro.
McBride is strong, but doesn’t have great height or wingspan, so some of the shots he was able to get off in college might get swatted back into his face as a pro.
McBride is one of those guys who might not jump out at you but is solid in all aspects of the game and could be a sleeper, as he has a great work ethic and should continue to improve.
But is he a fit on the Detroit Pistons?
Detroit Pistons: Miles McBride’s fit
Right now, point guard would probably be low on the list of team priorities for the Detroit Pistons, but that could all change by next season.
Dennis Smith Jr. is not looking like a guy the Pistons will re-sign next season and they are unlikely to pick up Cory Joseph’s option, and he is not really a point guard anyway.
Frank Jackson isn’t either and has played well as the shooting guard off the bench.
That really only leaves rookies Killian Hayes and Saben Lee, so the Pistons could absolutely use another point guard unless they sign a veteran in the offseason, which is a possibility.
McBride fits the mold of what the Pistons like, which are tough, athletic guys who can defend multiple spots.
He could also add an element of 3-point shooting that they currently lack and will be one of those guys who gets after it 100 percent of the time, whether it is in practice, the G-League or with the Pistons.
I love players like this, as they make everyone around them better by raising the level of competition.
McBride is a hard worker who could end up outplaying his draft position considerably as a spark off someone’s bench next season.
It’s possible that team will be the Detroit Pistons.