The Detroit Pistons will have three picks in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft and could go a number of ways.
They definitely need shooting and could use their second-round picks to try and find a shooter who can help improve their spacing.
We also profiled some draft prospects who could help the rebounding, which is another issue the Pistons need to address in the offseason.
One of those prospects was G-League guard Daishen Nix, who skipped college and went straight from high school to the pros.
This is really the first year we’ll get to see this, as a number of the draft’s top prospects chose this route, including Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga who are expected to go in the top five.
Nix was not as successful as some of his G-League counterparts, but still offers some skills the the Detroit Pistons need.
Detroit Pistons: What do the Pistons need from the NBA Draft?
I wrote that the Pistons top three priorities in the 2021 NBA Draft should be to get the best player available with their first pick (no-brainer) and then try to use their second-round picks to either fill a direct need (shooting) or to trade up for a first-round talent.
Troy Weaver will also continue to look for players who fit his vision for the Detroit Pistons. The team is clearly building around versatile defenders with good length, setting the foundation with defense and then hoping to add the offense through trades and the draft.
This is a sound strategy and Nix fits right into it, as he definitely fits the mold of what the Pistons are building.
Let’s take a look at his strengths and weaknesses, as well as how he might fit on the Detroit Pistons.
Detroit Pistons draft picks: NBA Draft prospect Daishen Nix
Daishen Nix is one of the players who decided to forego college and go straight to the pros. I for one love this and hope more of the top prospects do it, as the NCAA is an awful organization and I’d rather see players compensated than play for free while their school rakes in money, but that’s a different article.
Nix is a 6-foot-5, 224 lbs. point guard, so right away we know he has the size to compete with NBA guards. Troy Weaver seems to prefer big and long defenders who can cover multiple spots and Nix should be one of those guys.
He is an excellent passer and rebounder with a high basketball I.Q. who averaged 5.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds in the G-League this season.
Although G-League stats are hard to compare, as defense isn’t a focus, Nix was at least playing against pro-level adults, so getting those reps will be valuable.
Nix is a quality defender who has great court vision, can find open teammates and rebound, but his problem is shooting.
Nix shot just 38 percent from the floor and a woeful 17 percent from the 3-point line this season, though the sample size was small.
His shooting and athleticism are the biggest concerns, as Nix is not an explosive athlete which makes it difficult for him to finish at the rim.
All second-round prospects are flawed, but Nix does bring some attributes that the Detroit Pistons could use and was a five-star recruit out of high school, so we know he has talent.
Detroit Pistons draft picks: NBA Draft prospect Daishen Nix
As I said before, the Pistons need help on the boards and Nix could provide some, as he is an excellent rebounder for the position.
The Pistons might be in the market for a backup point guard depending on what happens with Dennis Smith Jr., Saben Lee and Frank Jackson.
Even if the Pistons were to keep two of the three, they will still need a backup point guard, as Jackson is more of a shooting guard at this point.
Nix would give them some depth and size at the position and another guy who can create when Killian Hayes is on the bench.
If Detroit wants to build around big and disruptive defenders, then Nix fits the mold. He’s not going to help the Pistons’ shooting, but he has the mentality to fit right in with Saddiq Bey, Jerami Grant and Isaiah Stewart.
For a team trying to build a certain type of culture, Nix is a fit as a defender and rebounder who is an unselfish playmaker.
I’ve seen Nix mocked to the Pistons in the second round and I agree that he would be a nice fit if they can get him there.