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NBA Mock Draft 5.0: Cavs, Thunder, Warriors, Lakers and Pistons all make trades

By Aaron Kellerstrass

Cade Cunningham #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Cade Cunningham #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Pistons
Alperen Sengun of Besiktas Icrypex (Photo by Elif Ozturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /

Detroit Pistons: NBA Mock Draft 5.0 pick No. 10

10. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Center. Alperen Sengun. 84. Beşiktaş (Turkey) / Sacramento Kings

The New Orleans Pelicans could go in a lot of directions with this pick and there are many who believe they will try to package it in a trade for a proven player.

The Pelicans need defense and shooting, and if they don’t think they can get it with the 10th pick, they could move it for a guy in Harrison Barnes who they know can do the things they need, which are defend and shoot the 3-ball.

It would also allow the Pelicans to jettison Eric Bledsoe while not taking on too much extra long-term money. Bledsoe’s second year is only partially guaranteed so the Kings would be coming out ahead in the long run, especially if they can now find a taker for Buddy Hield. The Pelicans might be interested in him too but would balk at the extra years remaining on his deal.

Sengun is one of the great unknowns in this draft but projects as a versatile big man who can play away from the hoop, score and shoot from range, so he would work well with what they already have.