The purpose of the NBA Draft is to send an influx of talent to teams. However, that does not necessarily mean those drafted have to play the upcoming season. Do not be surprised if the Detroit Pistons use the ‘draft-and-stash’ strategy for some of its second round picks on July 29.
On the surface, it would seem strange that a team like the Detroit Pistons, which went 20-52 last year, might not have room for all of its draft picks.
The more possibilities for gaining talent, the better, one would think. How many players do you want back from a team that had the second-worst record in the NBA?
It turns out, alot of them.
Pistons general manager Troy Weaver talked at the end of last season about how he is looking mostly for internal growth, not bringing in a bunch of new people, according to the Free Press:
"“We like our group and are excited about the guys that are under contract and even our own free agents,” Weaver said. “I don’t anticipate much turnover at all. I would say maybe one or two additions from the outside. The answers for the Pistons moving forward are all in-house.”"
Of course, Detroit is more than willing to make a spot for the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft _ whoever that may be. Or, if they trade down to No. 2 or 3, the Pistons still get an impact player who is guaranteed to take a roster spot.
But, in addition to its first rounder, the Pistons currently have three picks in the second round (Nos. 37, 42 and 52). Detroit had 10 players who were 24-years-old or younger on its roster at the end of last year. To add four more very young players, would make the Pistons look more like a G-League team.
Second-rounders generally are long shots just to make it in the league, and, if they do, it usually takes them a couple of years to get adjusted. The Pistons record would probably be among the worst in the NBA again, if the roster was mostly kids.
Troy Weaver has said he wants veterans on the club, and he also does not want a 20-win season two years in a row.
So there is no way the Pistons bring in three second round picks to training camp. But what are Detroit’s options to deal with the second round?
- Trade the picks for future second rounders (if can find a partner)
- Package the picks to move up into the first round (if can find a partner)
- Draft all three and hope they will accept G-League or Exhibit 10 contracts (if can get players to agree)
- Draft, and then stash, promising young foreign players
The last option is the only one where the Pistons organization is under no immediate pressure to create a roster spot.
How does a draft-and-stash work?
Usually this applies to players under contract, or about to sign with, a European club team. If a drafted player does not attempt to sign with the NBA team, that team retains the players rights.
Although there are some rare instances of stashed players being drafted in the first round (Dario Saric of Phoenix being an example), it usually occurs in the second round, since it makes things easier with salary cap holds, as second-round contracts are not guaranteed.
The most famous ‘draft-and-stash’ is former Spurs great Manu Ginobli. He was just the 57th pick in the 1999 draft and he did not come to San Antonio until the 2002-03 season, playing in Italy for three years after being drafted.
Of course, Detroit’s own Deividas Sirvydas, is a draft and stash. He was drafted in 2019 but played in Lithuania another year before coming last season.
So who are the top candidates to get stashed this season? Here are three players the Detroit Pistons should be checking out: