There is a report the Houston Rockets are considering taking Jaden Ivey with the third pick in the NBA Draft. That means only one team would then stand between the Detroit Pistons getting one of the consensus top three rated players in the draft.
The exact order is not set in stone but Auburn’s Jabari Smith Jr., Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren and Duke’s Paolo Banchero have been rated above the rest in most media draft rankings. All are power forward/centers.
However, ESPN’s Jonathan Givnoy says, according to Yahoo! Sports, that the Rockets, who pick third, are seriously considering taking Purdue guard Jaden Ivey.
"“The idea of constructing arguably the most explosive backcourt in the NBA is said to be intriguing for Rockets brass.” said Givnoy."
Having noted Detroit hater Jalen Green and Ivey at guard would certainly be one of the more athletic tandems in the NBA. And Houston still has former Piston Christian Wood, who basically plays the same position as the ‘Big 3’, so it is not a position of need for them.
If Ivey was drafted third by Houston, how would that affect the Pistons at No. 5?
Could mean a lot, or nothing at all, to Detroit.
Selecting between Houston and Detroit are the Sacramento Kings at No. 4. Now, figuring out what the ‘Kangz’ will do is usually next to impossible.
In 2018, they had their choice of Luka Doncic, Trae Young and Jaren Jackson Jr., and went with Marvin Bagley III, who Detroit got for two second-rounders in February.
The people who picked Bagley are gone, but general manager Monte Morris is in the last year of his contract and the Kings have not made the playoffs in 16 years. They may want to add a player ready to contribute immediately, not just some 18/19-year-old a few years away from contributing.
If Ivey goes at three, simple math says one of the ‘Big 3’ will be there at No. 4. So, the Pistons swing a deal to move up one spot. Like this:
Grant would help the Kings immediately. Him, Domantas Sabonis and Harrison Barnes would be a good forward combination. Sabonis or Grant could even be small-ball centers. It certainly could propel Sacramento to 10th place in the Western Conference, which would be like winning the NBA title to their post-season starved fans.
You might even be able to substitute Kelly Olynyk for Grant in the trade, which would be even better. Remember, the Kangz mascot is a fleece, as they get fleeced all the time in trades. You never know what they will accept.
There has been some chatter that the Pistons really like Holmgren, a 7-foot stringbean with all-around skills. If he is still on the board, at No. 4, Detroit might be extra motivated to swing a deal.
Non-moving up options for Pistons
If the Kings do not want to talk, and simply take whoever of the ‘Big 3’ is left, then the Pistons have different options:
- Does Detroit trade back, pick up some extra future draft picks? Is there really much difference between No. 5 and No. 12?
- Package the pick and Jerami Grant for some mega-deal, like a sign-and-trade with Phoenix for Deandre Ayton (which would have to occur, officially, after the draft is held)
- Go through the Keegan Murray, Shaedon Sharpe, Bennedict Mathurin tier of prospects and take who you think is best. Keep it simple.
Last year, everyone (except Jalen Green) pegged Cade Cunningham as the No 1 pick in the draft. This year, there is no clear-cut favorite, it is all a jumble at the top, and the Pistons need to be nimble enough to adjust quickly to changing circumstances.
The fact Jaden Ivey could go in the top three of the draft would certainly shake things up. Whether it would benefit the Pistons, we will have to see.