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.
Pistons depth chart after the 2022 NBA Draft: Option #2
In this version, most of the starting five stays the same, but the Pistons roll with more of a defensive unit:
- Cade Cunningham/Killian Hayes
- Jaden Ivey/Cory Joseph
- Saddiq Bey/Isaiah Livers
- Isaiah Stewart/MBIII
- Jalen Duren/Kelly Olynyk
I see this as a long shot, as it assumes that Beef Stew can move to the power forward position, which is going to take an upgrade in shooting and offense. I wouldn’t rule it out though, as Stew is reportedly putting in the work on his shot and we know he loves to grind in the offseason.
I do like MBII and Olynyk together, as they complement each other well, though spacing would probably be an issue in the starting five, as Duren can’t shoot and Stewart is going to have to prove that he can do it consistently.
Stewart did put up nice numbers down the stretch, shooting over 50 percent from 3-point range (albeit on limited attempts) in the last 14 games, so don’t rule this out.
Pistons depth chart after the 2022 NBA Draft: Option #3
The last option might be the one with the most appeal, as it gives the Detroit Pistons a super athletic starting five with the offensive firepower to match up with most teams, though they would still be lacking 3-point shooting.
- Cade Cunningham/Killian Hayes
- Jaden Ivey/Cory Joseph
- Saddiq Bey/Isaiah Livers
- Marvin Bagley III/Kelly Olynyk
- Jalen Duren/Isaiah Stewart
This version might give the Detroit Pistons the best of both, as MBIII and Duren are a nice offense/defense combination, as are Olynyk and Beef Stew off the bench.
Spacing could again be an issue, as the Pistons wouldn’t have a lot of 3-point shooting in the starting five and both Duren and MBIII are better suited near the rim.
But the athleticism with Ivey/MBIII and Duren is off the charts, and the Detroit Pistons could make up for the lack of shooting with a strong transition game and a whole lot of lobs.
The Pistons are not done dealing yet, but their depth chart already looks pretty strong before free agency and trade season arrives.