Would Detroit Pistons trade back if they landed #1 pick in 2022 NBA Draft?

The Detroit Pistons have the third-worst record in the NBA right now and are hoping it leads to a top-3 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

The lottery odds are basically the same for the bottom four teams (bottom three are 4% better for top-4 and 1.5% better for number one) and the Pistons are almost guaranteed to be one of them.

They had the second-worst record last season and landed the number one overall pick, which they hope happens again this year.

However, this year, there is no consensus on who that number one guy is, as there are three players who have separated themselves from the rest of the pack, but haven’t yet done enough to claim the number one spot.

Any of Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith or Paolo Banchero would fit nicely on the Detroit Pistons, which makes me wonder if they might trade back if they get the number one pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Detroit Pistons draft: Would Detroit trade down from the #1 pick?

There are some complications to trading down in the 2022 NBA Draft. The Pistons still owe a pick to the OKC Thunder via Houston, so they cannot trade a first-round pick (unless they were to get another one somehow) until that one is conveyed.

However, the OKC Thunder are one of the teams that the Pistons would potentially trade with, which means the Thunder could remove the protections on the pick they are owed and potentially fold that one into a new deal.

It’s complicated but the Pistons and Thunder could be trade partners.

Let’s assume for a minute that it COULD happen and focus on if it SHOULD happen.

Most scouts have Chet Holmgren with the highest ceiling, Jabari Smith with the highest floor and Paolo Banchero right behind, though that might change if continues to impress in the NCAA Tournament.

Cade Cunningham has expressed his fondness for Paolo Banchero as a prospect, and he might be right, as Paolo has a rare combination of size, athleticism and skill that should translate to a long career in the NBA.

If the Pistons like Paolo better than Chet and the Thunder REALLY wanted Holmgren, the Pistons could trade back with OKC, especially if they end up in the top 3-4 in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Let’s say OKC jumps up to three and is desperate for Holmgren, would the Detroit Pistons consider a package like this to move back?

If the Detroit Pistons could trade back but stay in the top 3 (maybe even top-4 if they like Ivey or one of the other prospects), while picking up additional picks, it is something they would have to consider.

There are a whole lot of “Ifs” attached to this scenario, but it is an interesting one to consider, as the Pistons might be in a position to load up if they do luck out and land the #1 pick again.