The Detroit Pistons will enter the 2022 NBA Draft with two picks, one top-7 lottery selection and the 46th pick in the second round.
They have too many needs to name, as the Pistons were not only one of the worst offensive teams in the NBA this season but were near the bottom in defensive efficiency as well.
Aside from a starting level guard and a whole lot of shooting, the Detroit Pistons need to shore up their big man ranks, and they could do it in a number of ways.
If they pursued Deandre Ayton and were able to land him, then everyone else just gets pushed back and the big-man problem is solved.
But if Detroit misses out on the top target, which is likely, they could look to add a third center from the second-round of the draft or add a low-cost veteran free agent to fill that role.
They could also see Marvin Bagley III as a combo-big and not feel the need to invest resources in centers at all, going with a center by committee approach instead.
The Pistons took a flyer on a center in the 2nd round last season in Luka Garza and could do so again this offseason, as there are some intriguing big men in that range.
Detroit Pistons draft: Orlando Robinson
One such big man is Orlando Robinson, a 7-foot center from Fresno State, who is projected a late first to middle of the second-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
The junior will be nearly 22-years-old at the time of the draft, so would be a guy with a little more experience who already has an NBA frame at 7-foot, 235 lbs.
Like all prospects in the second round, Robinson has some interesting skills but also some major flaws, so let’s take a look at his strengths and weaknesses as well as how he might fit on the Detroit Pistons.
2022 NBA Draft: Orlando Robinson’s strengths and weaknesses
The junior big man has improved all three seasons at Fresno State, topping out this year averaging 19.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.2 blocks per game.
If Robinson is to have a career in the NBA, it will be as a stretch big, as he can shoot the ball, hitting 35 percent of his 3-point shots on nearly three attempts per game.
He’s good off the ball and is adept at making plays for his teammates when he’s on it, with nice passing touch for a 7-footer.
He’s a good rebounder and an active defender, though certainly not an elite rim protector for a guy his size. However, he moves really well for a big man and is a plus athlete, so he could improve as a shot blocker and rim runner in the NBA.
His shooting touch is what will intrigue scouts, as a big man who can shoot will always have a job in the NBA. He’s also got a competitive streak on defense that should eventually serve him well.
He’s a skilled big as you can see in these highlights, and would give the Pistons an upgrade of athleticism and shooting from their 3rd center position.
If he is still there when the Detroit Pistons choose at 46th, he’ll be a guy they take a look at, as he is potentially a nice fit.
Pistons draft: How Orlando Robinson fits in Detroit
The Detroit Pistons have a team option on Luka Garza and it seems unlikely that they will pick it up, as they need an upgrade at his spot.
Robinson would be an upgrade from Garza in most ways, as he is more athletic, a better defender, and even though Garza is a better shooter, Robinson is more likely to be able to get open for a shot in the first place.
If the Pistons were to just roll with Isaiah Stewart, Kelly Olynyk and Marvin Bagley III as their primary bigs, then Robinson would give them a different skillset and look than any of them.
If Detroit does strike out on Ayton, then I don’t expect them to invest big resources in the center position, as there just isn’t a guy out there that will move the needle for them.
That could leave them looking for their guy in the second round of the Draft, as the Pistons would love to have another developmental big to put in their pipeline.
The problem with Robinson is that he has the type of skillset that is likely to wow some scouts and he may be gone by the time the Pistons choose, as some big boards have him as a first-round pick.
But if he is there, Robinson is an interesting stretch-big prospect who could be a nice fit on the Detroit Pistons.
For the rest of our second-round draft series, click here.