The Detroit Pistons currently have the third-worst record in the NBA, just ahead of the Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic.
All three teams hope to stay in the top-3 of the 2022 NBA Draft, as Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith and Paolo Banchero have separated themselves from the rest of their NBA Draft class.
While the three bottom teams all have the same odds for the top pick and to stay in the top four, the worst team is guaranteed to stay in the top five, while the second worst can drop to sixth and the next team to seventh.
The Detroit Pistons currently have a seven percent chance at landing the 7th pick, which would be the worst-case scenario for them right now.
Getting the 7th pick in what is seen as a 3-player draft would not be ideal, but all drafts are crapshoots and the Pistons could still end up with an impact player even if they fall.
Here are five 2022 NBA Draft prospects they could target if the worst does happen in the lottery.
Detroit Pistons: 2022 NBA Draft prospects
Bennedict Mathurin, SG
Bennedict Mathurin is a 6-foot-7 shooting guard for Arizona who averages 17.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.
Shooting guard is a position of need for the Detroit Pistons, and Mathurin has the size to play a couple of spots and would give them some intriguing options in the backcourt. He is a good defender and decent 3-point shooter, averaging 37 percent on 5.5 attempts per game.
He projects as a 3-and-D wing who will eventually develop the handles to make use of his plus athleticism and size.
He’d be a nice fit with Cade Cunningham and Saddiq Bey but there are questions about whether he’ll ever be more than a 3-and-D guy in the NBA.