Detroit Pistons: Appropriate reactions to each NBA Draft lottery scenario

Detroit Pistons get the No. 5 Pick (27.8%): I can’t be disappointed if it’s what I expected the whole time.

Me, mad? No, couldn’t be me.

Detroit’s best odds were with the fifth pick. I don’t have positive thoughts about this team. There is no surprise here.

After wiping my tears, I skip immediately to the acceptance stage in the grief cycle. Troy Weaver just got two All-NBA rookies out of Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart with post-lottery picks. Killian Hayes still has a starter-level ceiling.

This pick is even higher, so there is no reason to panic. What do these so-called draft experts know anyway?

On a serious note, falling in this range likely sets back Detroit’s timeline a bit. It’s all projection, but no potential draftee beyond this point has tape that suggests a complete revolution.

There are still plenty of options available who could play immediately, though. Per The Athletic’s James Edwards III, the Pistons are particularly enamored with James Bouknight, one of the draft’s most explosive scorers. Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Ziaire Williams, and Keon Johnson are also intriguing options.

A primary ball-handler may not be what Detroit finds here, but a day-one contributor is certainly in the mix. And for that, there is still no reason to think the sky is falling.

Detroit Pistons get the No. 6 Pick (20.1%): Maybe we draft a steal?

Not to be too scientific, but the sixth pick is worse than the fifth.

Based on the list of names from the previous section, however, the difference is marginal. Someone who is NBA-ready (read: for a rookie) will be available.

I won’t sugarcoat it, this would suck. The only upside is that we can continue to claim that the NBA hates Detroit and use it to fuel our fandom.

It’s an unfortunate consolation prize for the season the Detroit Pistons just endured. There is little reason to believe the 2021-22 season will be significantly better.

In this scenario, it’s okay to let the emotions flow. It is quite literally the worst case scenario. But stiffen the upper lip and keep the faith. It’s only uphill from here, right?