The Detroit Pistons have the worst record in the NBA, so even though is only early December, it’s not too soon to think about who they might take in the 2022 NBA Draft.
If the season ended today, the Pistons would be guaranteed a top-5 pick, which is the one statistical advantage of finishing with the league’s worst record.
The team has a number of needs, but they are not in a position to draft for fit, as they need talent all over the place and will just take the best player available no matter what.
Luckily, most of the guys available at the top of the draft also fit the Pistons’ need for shooting, athleticism and a big who plays above the rim.
Here are the five (actually six) players that I would currently put at the top of the Detroit Pistons 2022 NBA Draft big board.
#5: The two Jaden’s
Last season there was a plethora of Jalens and this year it’s Jadens. Both Jaden Hardy and Jaden Ivey are shooting guards who would fit the Pistons need for more athleticism and skill at the position.
Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes are basically 1 and 1A, but after them the Pistons have a steep drop-off in talent at the guard position. Josh Jackson doesn’t seem to be part of the long-term plans and could be traded soon.
Hamidou Diallo has shown flashes but he’s not much of an offensive threat, and Frank Jackson is a decent role player but hardly a guy who would stop you from drafting another guard.
Jaden Hardy is currently in the G-League and is already putting up big numbers. He is a plus athlete who is super quick, can score from all three levels, set up teammates and rebound his position. He has a little Jalen Green feel to him.
Jaden Ivey from Purdue is another lightning quick guard with hops who would give the Pistons another guy who can get to the rim and finish. He is a plus defender and can also score from all three levels.
Depending on where the Detroit Pistons end up choosing, I could see them adding one of these two guards, and either would be a great fit with Cade Cunningham.
Detroit Pistons 2022 NBA Draft big board #4: Jalen Duren
It’s pretty clear that the Pistons could use another big man, as they currently have just Isaiah Stewart and Kelly Olynyk, neither of which have great size.
Stewart has shown he can defend centers, so I am not worried about him there, but Detroit still needs more size, another rim protector and a guy who can catch a lob.
Enter Jalen Duren of Memphis, who is one of the best all-around defensive prospects in the 2022 NBA Draft. Duren averages 3.6 blocks and 1.1 steals so far this year.
He’s not much of a scorer yet, but he has good hands and can eat around the rim. If the Pistons wanted to lean into defense, they could do worse than adding Duren, who would give them the kind of big they currently lack.
#3: Chet Holmgren
Count me as one of the people who is not completely sold on Chet Holmgren just yet. Yes, he does have a bag of tantalizing skills for a guy his size and he would fill some Pistons’ needs as a shot blocker and guy who can knock down a 3-point shot.
I do worry about his strength, as he is as skinny a prospect as I’ve ever seen and I wonder who he is going to defend in the NBA. He will undoubtedly be a great weak side shot blocker off the ball, but are centers going to throw him around? Can he stay in front of NBA power forwards?
He has some question marks for sure, but he also has the potential to be the prototype for modern centers, as he is a legit 7-footer who can do just about everything offensively and has great instincts for blocking shots.
Detroit Pistons 2022 NBA Draft big board #2: Paolo Banchero
I think you could put the next two guys in any order and you’d get no argument from me. With Jerami Grant’s contract expiring after next season, the Pistons could look for his replacement in a guy like Banchero, who pretty much provides everything they need.
He is a high flyer who is committed on the defensive end and projects as an elite defender. He has great size at 6-foot-10, can score from all three levels and plays with an edge, which I really like.
If the Pistons ended up with Banchero I’d be very happy, as he is not only one of the most talented players but also checks a lot of boxes for what Detroit needs.
#1: Jabari Smith
Smith and Banchero are very similar players as forwards with great size who can do a lot of things. They both can score from all three levels, play tenacious defense and can grab rebounds. Banchero may be a slightly better athlete, but they would both help Detroit in that department.
What puts Smith slightly above Banchero (for me) is his shooting, as he projects to be a plus NBA 3-point shooter, which is exactly what the Pistons need. If you put a guy like this around Cade Cunningham, the potential is limitless, as he is hitting 44 percent of his 3-point shots on 5.1 attempts per game, elite numbers for a forward.
The Pistons have chosen some great years to be bad, as there is once again a lot of high-ceiling talent on the draft board and Detroit should be able to add another impact player to their core.