Pistons NBA Draft: 3 teams that wish they had drafted Isaiah Stewart

If the Detroit Pistons could do the 2020 NBA Draft again they would probably still take Killian Hayes, Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart.

All three picks made an impact in their rookie seasons, particularly Bey and Stewart, who were among the biggest Pistons’ draft steals of all time.

There are a lot of teams that wish they had pulled the trigger on Bey and Stewart a little sooner after watching them play for a season, especially teams that took rookies who made little or no contribution.

Isaiah Stewart came into the league profiled as as defense/hustle guy with little upside as an offensive player.

But after leading all rookies in rebounding, blocked shots, field goal percentage while adding some range to his jumper, Stewart looks like the ideal modern center, a guy who could be an all-around defender and offensive player similar to Bam Adebayo.

That’s why there are several teams that wish they had a do over on the 2020 NBA Draft so that they could have a chance at Beef Stew.

Pistons NBA Draft: The Atlanta Hawks would love Isaiah Stewart

The Atlanta Hawks were one of the surprise teams of the NBA this season, finishing 5th in the Eastern Conference and getting a first-round playoff matchup with the New York Knicks.

The Hawks got solid center player out of Clint Capella but could use a backup, which is what they thought they were getting when they drafted Onyeka Okongwu with the 6th pick, who many considered the best center in the 2020 NBA Draft.

But Okongwu played sparingly though he did appear in 50 games, averaging 4.6 points and 3.3 rebounds for the Hawks.

Stewart, on the other hand, was a regular in the rotation, averaged 7.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game for the Detroit Pistons.

Beef Stew showed more range, played more, blocked more shots and played better defense than Okongwu, all things Atlanta could use more of considering the Hawks finished just 18th in defense.