Detroit Pistons interest in others besides Cade Cunningham a smokescreen?

The word from fans is they can’t wait for the Detroit Pistons to draft Cade Cunningham. However, the vibe from the team, is that they are also like other players. Are the Pistons really not going to take Cunningham, or is all this talk about others being considered, a smokescreen?

Yes, the Detroit Pistons staff and coaches were delighted when they found out they would have the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft for the first time since 1970. “Praise God” Pistons general manager Troy Weaver was his reaction when he saw the Pistons card held up at the lottery for No. 1.

However, being excited about having the first selection in the NBA Draft is different than being excited about the player that pick would produce.

We are NOT saying that the Pistons will pass on Cade Cunningham come draft-time. We are saying the Pistons are not committing to taking him, at the moment.

Weaver is someone who does his due diligence. After getting the first pick, he quickly said the Pistons will work out five players for that selection, and that trading it is ‘An option’.

The Detroit Pistons apparently like a few players for the No. 1 draft choice. Or is it all a smokescreen?

Before Pistons fans run screaming into the night thinking Detroit is not taking Cunningham, you can relax … a bit.

Most independent experts say Cunningham really is the best player in the draft. Cunningham has reportedly agreed to come to Detroit for a workout, the only NBA team he will do this for. Once Weaver, coach Dwane Casey and the other decision-makers see Cunningham up close, that should close the deal.

If Cunningham currently is 100-percent the Pistons choice, they are being very closed mouth about it.

James Edwards III of The Athletic (PAID SUBSCRIPTION) says he has heard for a while the Pistons really like wing Jalen Green of the Ignite G-League team. He is seen as a future big scorer in the league, and Detroit’s offense could use a boost.

The Athletic’s John Hollinger,  a former Grizzlies executive who knows a lot of people in the NBA, is at the NBA Draft Combine, and he reports the same: The Pistons are ‘intrigued’ by Green.

It is also a well-known fact that Weaver loves the center position. An exceptional big man in the draft is USC’s Evan Mobley. Centers who fit the modern game are rare. Could Weaver decide slick guards, and guys that score, could be gotten in the future, and draft Mobley, as he may never get another chance at a center like him?

Maybe

Everyone agrees that Weaver will not be bullied into selecting a player he does not think is the best. He also trusts his own instincts over the groupthink of the Draft experts in the media and other NBA teams.

Detroit Pistons smokescreen for NBA Draft?

The bottom line is, the Pistons do not have to make a decision on No. 1 (and Hollinger said he doubts Detroit will trade down) until 8 p.m. on July 29.

For the first time in 50 years, the Pistons do not have to worry about who other teams are drafting. They will get whomever they want. That also means there is no incentive to make a decision hastily.

All the names being thrown around could be just a smokescreen, making sure they have options in case something happens. And things do happen.

• Joel Embiid was projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2014 draft but, when it was discovered he had a stress fracture in his foot, fell to No. 3 and the 76ers. Cleveland picked Andrew Wiggins at No. 1 instead, and Milwaukee took Jabari Parker at No. 2
• Markelle Fultz was the consensus No. 1 overall player in the 2018 NBA Draft. Boston held the first pick that year but a horrible shooting performance by Fultz at his workout soured the Celtics on him. They traded the pick to the 76ers, who took Fultz, and Boston settled for Jayson Tatum at No. 3.

We are not saying the above scenarios will occur this year. But you never know, and Detroit does not get anything for making an early decision. The Pistons will have their workouts, evaluate lots of tape, talk to people who know the players involved.

And, because THEY think he is the best player, Cade Cunningham would be selected. But, if they pick someone else, you have been warned. There are still a lot of balls in the air until July 29.