The Detroit Pistons were the big winners of the 2022 NBA Draft, walking away with both Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren, the two players they reportedly wanted the most.
Troy Weaver ended up turning Jerami Grant into a lottery pick, a swap in the second round that landed sharpshooter Gabriel Procida, a future second-round pick and a bunch of cap space.
Not a bad haul for a guy who was on an expiring deal.
The Detroit Pistons now have a really nice young core and are still sitting on a pile of cap space, even if they have to buy out Kemba Walker as part of the process.
They could land another big name in free agency, sit on their cap space to make a move later, rolling into the season with the group they have now, and likely restricted free agent Marvin Bagley III.
Assuming the Pistons retain MBIII, what does their depth chart look like after the 2022 NBA Draft as free agency approaches? They have lots of options even before they add additional players to the roster.
Pistons depth chart after the 2022 NBA Draft: Option #1
I’d say the most likely depth chart looks something like this as of right now, though obviously free agency and future trades could change it:
- Cade Cunningham/Killian Hayes
- Jaden Ivey/Cory Joseph
- Saddiq Bey/Isaiah Livers
- Marvin Bagley III/Kelly Olynyk
- Isaiah Stewart/Jalen Duren
This starting five is dynamic offensively, and very athletic with both Ivey and MBII. I also like the shooting in the second unit around Killian Hayes, who can act as facilitator and disruptor with guys like Livers and Olynyk around him.
It’s hard to see how Frank Jackson or Hamidou Diallo fit into the picture now, so it’s likely the Detroit Pistons won’t pick up their options, or will try to move them in a trade if they do.