What is absolute worst case scenario for Detroit Pistons?

No. 4: What if the Detroit Pistons No.1 draft pick is not that good, or a project?

To most Detroit Pistons fans, when their team was awarded the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft Lottery, they felt like they had just won a million dollars in a lottery, because it made them feel like a million bucks.

Complete and utter relief would not be strong enough words to describe the feelings of long-suffering Pistons fans. Remember, in the history of the draft lottery, Detroit had never moved up with its own pick. It’s been 51 years since the Pistons drafted first.

To quote noted basketball expert Stimpy: Happy, happy, joy, joy.

The object of desire for most fans is Oklahoma State 6-foot-8 guard/everything Cade Cunningham. The ‘Fade for Cade’ made all the Pistons losses palatable this past season for most.

But what if Cade Cunningham just is not that good?

Even GM Troy Weaver has said there are no LeBron James or Anthony Davis in this draft. Even if Cunningham is seen as the consensus No. 1, and people disagree long-term who will end up being the best player, just how good will he be?

Many experts have compared  Cunningham to Tobias Harris, a former Piston. That might be a good comparison. They are both about the same size and highly-skilled in all facets of the game.

Harris was a good player for Detroit, and has flirted with making the All-Star team several times since leaving the Pistons, as part of the Blake Griffin trade.

However, Harris is not a difference maker. The Pistons in 2016 got swept with him in the lineup. The 76ers have not made it out of the second round of the playoffs with Harris.

Will Pistons fans be disappointed if Cunningham turns out to be another Tobias Harris? A very good, notch below All-Star player?

What happens if Pistons think long-term project?

There are very few centers who fit the modern game like USC’s Evan Mobley. He is great defensively, athletic enough to switch defensively onto even guards. Offensively, he has shown a nice, shooting touch and ballhandling skills for someone his size (7-feet).

If Detroit took Mobley at No. 1, it would be an unpopular decision with the fans, but it would not be some outrageous, out of left field pick, like when Cleveland took Anthony Bennett.

The down side is, Mobley is just 215 pounds. He is not ready for starter’s minutes right away. Veteran bigs like Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid would eat him alive. Drafting Mobley probably means another year, at least, of Mason Plumlee as starting center.

Assuming Mobley fills out (lots of good fattening food in Detroit!), he should be a monster in a few years. But that is a few years down the road. Who knows what the NBA, and the Pistons, will be like at that time.

If Detroit takes G-League combo wing Jalen Green, as some predict, that is another 19-year-old who will take a few years to fully develop. Green can score now, but the rest of his game needs a lot of work.

Think of Green as a better version of Anthony Edwards. Now, the top pick in the 2020 Draft looked good this season, but how many games did the Timberwolves win?

Chances of Worst Case: 50-percent. Detroit could certainly take Green or Mobley. And Cunningham’s celling might very well be Tobias Harris.