Detroit Pistons: Forward rising in draft rankings after monster game

The Detroit Pistons are currently the worst team in the NBA, but it hasn’t all been grim.

The two rookies are playing great, Killian Hayes is getting some much-needed reps and Bojan Bogdanovic has played like an All-Star.

And of course, there is always the perpetual hope of the lottery and the chance to add more young elite talent, which has been heightened this year by the presence of generational prospect Victor Wembanyama.

Obviously the Pistons are hoping that their reward for another losing season is more luck in the draft lottery, but even if they finish with the best odds, there is an 86 percent chance that the first pick will go to another team.

Scoot Henderson is ranked in the second tier by himself by most draft analysts, and many believe the Pistons would take him with the second pick if they were lucky enough to get it even though they already have three young guards.

After that the draft is completely wide open, but the Detroit Pistons would likely prioritize a wing player considering their need at the position. There are some interesting forward prospects in the lottery discussion and one guy is starting to stand out.

Detroit Pistons draft: Brandon Miller opens eyes with monster game vs Gonzaga

Brandon Miller is a 6-foot-9, 200 lb. small forward out of Alabama who has risen to as high as 5th overall on some draft boards after a monster game against Gonzaga.

The freshman dropped 36 points on Gonzaga, including six three-pointers, some promising shot creation and flashes of plus defense.

His size and ability to shoot from range have drawn some comparisons to Jabari Smith Jr., last year’s 3rd pick in the draft.

Miller is leading all freshmen in scoring, averaging 19.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and two assists with just under a block and steal per game. He shoots 44.2 percent from 3-point range on 7.2 attempts per gams, so profiles as a guy who will be able to knock down shots at the next level.

He has great size for the position and already has an NBA frame and some impressive defensive tools, with good length and hands that can make him disruptive on the perimeter.

He really flashed his range as a shooter against Gonzaga, knocking down several from well beyond NBA range.

Alabama is a very good team that coaches defense well and has produced some talented and well-coached players over the last few seasons, so Miller will be coming out of a system that preaches defense and hustle.

The Detroit Pistons are hoping to strike gold with the number one pick, but this is a deep draft full of interesting prospects at their biggest position of need, so if they do fall, the Pistons can still nab a very good player that fits with their core.