The Detroit Pistons hope to pick in the top-five of the NBA Draft and can fall no further than sixth after finishing with the second-worst record in the NBA.
The Pistons won’t be drafting for need, as they still need to amass as much talent as possible, so will take the best player available with their first-round pick regardless of position or “fit.”
The Pistons also have three second-round choices, which they could use to move up to the first round, to take a shooter, or to try and fill one of their other organizational needs.
One of those needs is rebounding and the Detroit Pistons can find some help in this year’s NBA Draft.
Detroit Pistons: Rebounding is a problem
I identified two issues the Pistons must fix if they want to make a leap as a team next season.
One of them is rebounding, as the Pistons were just 23rd in rebounds per game this season and just 20th in rebounding percentage.
This is big considering they are just 24th in field goal percentage, as there are plenty of misses floating around that the Pistons are not converting into rebounds.
It also hurts their defense, as rebounding is the last step of a defensive possession and grabbing rebounds is how you keep other teams from getting second chances.
The Pistons could certainly try to find a veteran in free agency who can help this issue, but they also might be able to get some help from different parts of the draft.
Here are two prospects from the lottery and two from later in the draft who might be able to help the Pistons’ rebounding woes.
Detroit Pistons: NBA Draft prospect Evan Mobley
If the Detroit Pistons draft Evan Mobley, it won’t be because of his rebounding, it will be because they think he is going to be a superstar.
In fact if you look at most draft profiles of Mobley, rebounding is one area that he will likely need to improve at the next level.
Mobley averaged 8.7 rebounds per game in college, which is not great for a 7-foot center, but he has the length and athleticism to be a great rebounder at the next level. Rebounding is mostly about hustle and desire, so there is no reason that Mobley can’t be a great rebounder in the NBA, especially if he is playing next to Isaiah Stewart, who will get a lot of attention on the boards.
Mobley may not profile as one of the top rebounders, but he brings a whole lot more to the table and could end up being a very good rebounder despite the projections.
Detroit Pistons draft pick: Jalen Johnson
Johnson is probably only a realistic option if the Pistons choose outside of the top five, so if they get bad luck (again) and fall to the sixth pick, Johnson will get a look.
Johnson profiles as a guy who could be the best rebounder in this draft, as he is a 6-foot-9 small forward who averaged 6.1 rebounds per game for Duke.
For Johnson it will come down to attitude and desire, as he has all of the physical attributes to be a 3-and-D wing who rebounds well for his position.
If the Detroit Pistons end up with the 2nd or 6th pick, I could see them taking one of these two players, which should improve their overall team rebounding.
Detroit Pistons: NBA Draft prospect Day’Ron Sharpe
Sharpe is a guy who is usually mocked at the end of the first round or the beginning of the second, so there is a chance the Detroit Pistons could get him with one of their second-round picks.
The Pistons already have three centers, but with the possibility that one or both of Mason Plumlee or Jahlil Okafor will be traded at some point, they may go for another young center prospect who fills a definite need.
Sharpe may end up being the best rebounder in this draft, as he was able to grab 7.6 per game as a freshman who played fewer than 20 minutes per game.
If the Pistons wanted a big banger to complement Plumlee and Beef Stew, then Sharpe could get a look if he is there in the second round.
Detroit Pistons draft picks: Daishen Nix
Not all rebounders have to be bigs, and Nix is proof of that, as the 6-foot-5 point guard averaged 5.3 rebounds per game in the G-League this season.
Nix is a guy I often see mocked to the Pistons in the second round and he definitely fits the profile of what Troy Weaver likes, as he is a big and long guard who should be able to grab boards and defend multiple positions.
I really like Nix as a second-round pick, as he could come in and compete for backup point guard minutes and brings some attributes that none of the other Pistons’ backups have, which are size and rebounding.
The Detroit Pistons have to get better on the boards and might be able to find someone in the lottery or even later in the NBA Draft who can help.