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Detroit Pistons: Crazy possibilities for the top-5 of the 2022 NBA Draft

By Aaron Kellerstrass

NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) and Cade Cunningham embrace after Cunningham was drafted by the Detroit Pistons. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) and Cade Cunningham embrace after Cunningham was drafted by the Detroit Pistons. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Pistons, Pistons draft
The podium with logos is seen prior to the 2018 NBA Draft Lottery at the Palmer House Hilton. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Pistons draft: Crazy possibilities for the top-5

Pick #2: OKC makes a trade

OKC is always a wild card, and even though they already have about 500 picks in upcoming drafts, I wouldn’t rule out them trading for even more.

If OKC were to move down, they would probably either want a star player, a slew of draft picks or some combination of young talent and picks. One team can make them a pretty good offer.

In the ultimate, “Let’s build a dynasty” move, the Pelicans unload some of their treasure chest of draft assets to move up and take Chet Holmgren.

They have to give up the 8th pick, two additional 1st-rounders (that Lakers pick is looking VERY good) and a promising young player in Jaxson Hayes.

Holmgren’s rim protection and 3-point shooting would be great to pair with Zion Williamson and the Pelicans would have the makings of a very good team for the foreseeable future.

Pick #3: Houston Rockets

The Rockets are going to be boring in this scenario and just take Paolo Banchero, so the top-3 has gone as predicted so far, just with a different team in the mix.

The Rockets passing on Ivey sets up the possibilities for a couple of trades with the 4th and 5th picks with the Detroit Pistons right at the center of the action.