Detroit Pistons draft picks: Redrafting the 2000’s for the Pistons

As fans of the Detroit Pistons gear up for a high lottery pick in a draft loaded with star power, I can’t shake the memories of their failed drafts. 2003, 2005, 2011, and 2015 all come to mind.

In some years, the Detroit Pistons made the correct choice with their first-round pick. Hindsight is a very useful tool, and in some cases, Detroit made the seemingly obvious choice only to be proved wrong down the line. Here are all their first-round picks over the 21st century, and who they actually should have taken.

Detroit Pistons: Redoing the 2000’s NBA Draft

2000: Detroit took Mateen Cleaves but should have taken Hedo Türkoğlu

With the 14th pick, Detroit rolled the dice on Cleaves and it did not work out. He only spent one dear with the Pistons and played subpar basketball during his 167-game career. Türkoğlu was a knock-down shooter and passer, who had a few good years and a couple of great years playing alongside a young Dwight Howard in Orlando. Had Detroit drafted him, maybe he would have hit the big shot in the 2005 Finals instead of Robert Horry.

2001: Detroit took Rodney White but should have taken Joe Johnson

Rodney White had a career very similar to Matten Cleaves. Short, underwhelming, and he spent almost no time in Detroit. One pick after White, Boston took Joe Johnson at 10, who finished his long career a seven-time All-Star and would have contributed right away to the Pistons’ playoff push, as he was named to the All-Rookie team and averaged 16 points throughout his career.

2002: Detroit took Tayshaun Prince and got it right

Tayshaun Prince was a defensive mastermind and the glue that made the Goin’ to Work era work. One of the biggest draft steals in Pistons, even NBA history. The NBA Champion small forward fell to 23, and Detroit swooped in and made the perfect pick to help build a champion.