NBA Draft: This NCAA champion could be a trade-up target for Detroit Pistons

With the 2021 NBA Draft upcoming; excitement and anticipation amongst Detroit Pistons fans is at its highest in, well, over a decade. Come 8 pm on that July 29th date, the Pistons will officially be on the clock.

Officially is the keyword here.

Pistons GM Troy Weaver and the front office have unofficially been on the clock since the franchise was awarded in the draft lottery on June 22 the number one selection. Oklahoma State point guard Cade Cunningham has been the projected pick for Detroit since they moment they got the No.1 pick for the first time since 1970.

With each passing day, that projection begins to become more and more substantial. Trade rumors have begun to die down, and reports around the team indicate Cunningham will be the pick for Detroit at number one.

Cunningham may be slated to go first to Detroit, but he may not be the only first-round selection the Pistons make. Last year, the Pistons swung trades to get two additional first-round selections they did not have when the draft started.

There has been speculation that the Pistons could look to trade a combination of their three second-round picks to move back up into the late first round. A move like this, would likely only come if Weaver sees a prospect he really covets falling in the draft.

That prospect could very well be Baylor guard Jared Butler.

I recently sat down with The Athletic‘s James Edwards III for a pre-draft Q and A. In our conversation, Edwards III indicated that Butler is a potential player the Pistons could trade back into the first round to get.

"“He’s a guy that could go late first depending on how scared teams are with the medical stuff, or how unafraid they are. Afraid or unafraid, that could waver where he falls. I think that’s another guy who could be of interest.” –James Edwards III on Jared Butler"

During the NBA Draft combine in Chicago, Butler was barred from on-court activities. He was  referred to the NBA’s Fitness to Play Panel due to the league’s concerns over his health. Ultimately, Butler was cleared to play, but some teams may be wary of the young guard heading into draft night.

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound guard was good enough to help lead Baylor to the NCAA championship. That helps a player draw NBA team to give him a look.

If hesitation among other GMs causes Butler to fall into the mid to late 20s of the draft, Weaver and the Pistons front office could look to trade up and grab him.

Weaver and the Pistons will have to sort out their own concerns over the 20-year-old’s health. If they decide Butler is worth the gamble, he would make a great addition to Detroit’s young core.