Reviewing the 2018 NBA Draft, are the Pistons like the Mavericks?

The Detroit Pistons are selecting fifth in what is projected to be a three-deep in stars draft. The Dallas Mavericks faced a similar situation in 2018, and traded up for Luka Doncic.

The Bleacher Report lists the Pistons as one of the five teams that should move up in the June 23rd NBA Draft.

With Marvin Bagley III now with the Detroit Pistons, the story of the 2018 NBA Draft becomes even more relevant to fans.

To summarize, the Mavericks really wanted this kid out of Slovenia named Luka Doncic, but drafting in the No. 5 slot, there was no way he was going to last that long.

Deandre Ayton was the consensus No. 1 player in the draft and the Phoenix Suns did what was expected and picked him (although he might soon become a Piston). Then came the big shocker.

The Sacramento Kings, being the Kangz, by-passed Doncic to take Bagley, who had a good year at Duke and was rated as one of the top remaining big men (One report says they passed up Doncic because then-Kings GM Vlade Divac had a grudge against his father from old Yugoslavian playing days).

Dallas, seeing an opportunity, went to Atlanta, which had the No. 3 pick, and offered a lightly-protected first round pick for the following year to swap positions. The Hawks were fine with that, figuring two first-rounders is better than one, and went for the deal.

The Hawks picked Trae Young, certainly no bust, at No. 5 and used Dallas’ first rounder to select Cam Reddish the following year. That did not work out, as they shipped Reddish to the Knicks this season for a ham sandwich.

Is 2022 another 2018, and Detroit Pistons the new Dallas Mavericks

In this year’s draft, three players, Duke’s Paolo Banchero, Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren and Auburn’s Jabari Smith Jr., are rated above the rest (some throw in Purdue guard Jaden Ivey for a four-deep draft).

In any draft, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

The Kings liked Bagley better than Doncic, and the Mavericks like Doncic better than anyone and would do a lot to get him. The Hawks were fine with who would be remaining at No. 5, and getting another first in their pocket.

Three different teams, three different perspectives on the top players in the draft.

The Bleacher Report’s reasoning for Detroit moving up is: this will be the last time (hopefully) for a while they will draft this high, so take advantage of what could be their best chance to pair a star player with Cade Cunningham.

The Pistons are not the Oklahoma City Thunder, they do not have a gazillion draft picks stockpiled until 2040. If they make the playoffs next year, they might not even have a draft choice in 2023.

If general manager Troy Weaver thinks there is a big drop-off in talent between 3 or 4 and 5th, maybe he decides to move up. A first-rounder owed to Oklahoma CIty as part of the Christian Wood trade makes dealing another first-rounder a bit tough, but, hey, this Jerami Grant guy is pretty good, teams need good players.

In the past few drafts, a future first round pick has been the price for moving up a couple of spots (Philly-Boston so Sixers could get Markelle Fultz and not get stuck with Jayson Tatum, and Dallas-Atlanta).

Of course, no one really knows what Weaver thinks at the moment, except maybe coach Dwane Casey and some execs. And things can always change. Weaver said he was not 100-percent certain they would take Cunningham until the morning of the draft.

Is there is some player that Weaver thinks can be a game-changer, like Dallas thought of Doncic, that he will go out and pay a heavy price to get? We will find out on June 23.