As it stands now, the Detroit Pistons have two draft picks in the upcoming 2022 NBA Draft – their highly coveted top lottery pick and the 46th pick that previously belonged to the Brooklyn Nets.
There has been plenty of speculation regarding the top draft pick, which has a 52.1% chance of landing in the top four. Debate around this selection will be on the forefront of Pistons’ discourse over the next couple months.
As with most second round picks, not much has been written about the Pistons’ options with the 46th pick. We are still far out from the draft, so there is a chance the Pistons move this pick or even try to add more draft capital. Right now, we are going to operate under the assumption that the team will just have one second round pick.
So what do the Pistons need to look for in the second round?
We all can agree they need to address shooting, or lack thereof. Detroit was second to last in the league in three-point percentage, just in front the Oklahoma City Thunder. There is definitely a correlation between three-point percentage and win-loss record as the Orlando Magic were near the bottom as well.
The Pistons were also bottom five in three-pointers made per game with 11.3.
It’s pretty simple – if the Pistons plan on contending for a playoff spot as early as next season, they need to really bolster their shooting.
There are plenty of options for shooters in the draft, but the league’s constant demand for this skill has pushed some prospects just out of the Pistons second round range. North Carolina guard, Caleb Love is a good example. He likely played his way up into the end of the first round during March Madness.
There are, however, some solid options will be available in the mid to late second round. Many of these prospects have some faults in the eyes of scouts, whether it be age, versatility, or athleticism. The important thing is that they can all shoot.