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.
Detroit Pistons draft picks: The Suns could use Isaiah Stewart
The Phoenix Suns were one of the best teams in the Western Conference all season so they don’t have a whole lot of weaknesses.
However, even good teams can get better, so the Suns would probably love a do-over to take Isaiah Stewart instead of Jalen Smith with the 10th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Smith barely played for the Suns and made no impact. Meanwhile, they have Frank Kaminsky playing backup center to Deandre Ayton.
Kaminsky had an ok season but he does not offer the defense, rebounding, shot blocking or physicality of Isaiah Stewart, things that the Suns will definitely need if they want to challenge the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs.
When they have Kaminsky and Dario Saric trying to stop LeBron James and the Lakers in the paint they are going to wish they had a little more muscle and rim protection.
The Suns got very unlucky to draw the defending champions in the first round and could definitely use the services of Beef Stew to try and stop them.
Detroit Pistons: The Pelicans really need Isaiah Stewart
The team that probably wishes they had a do-over in the 2020 NBA Draft more than any other is the New Orleans Pelicans, who inexplicably took Kira Lewis Jr. even though they already had a bunch of guards.
Lewis Jr. wasn’t terrible and was part of the rotation for most of the season, but the Pelicans desperately needed defense and shot blocking to help protect superstar Zion Williamson.
I think if the Pels had to do it over again, they would take Saddiq Bey or Isaiah Stewart with the 13th pick. If they had just taken Stewart, not traded for Steven Adams and just rolled with Jaxson Hayes and Stewart as their two centers with Willy Hernagomez as the backup, the Pels could have spent that money on more pressing needs.
Stewart basically provided everything that Adams did, but on a rookie contract and with room to improve. Stewart would have been a nice complement to Zion Williamson, especially if he continues to improve his range from the 3-point line.
Instead, the Pelicans spent $27 million on Adams this season and extended him for two more. Adams is a nice player but that money could have been better spent, especially considering they could have had Isaiah Stewart on a low-cost deal.
The Detroit Pistons hit home runs in the 2020 NBA Draft and a lot of teams are going to regret passing on Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart.