NBA Draft big boards are more lopsided this year than ever, thanks to the two heavy hitters at the top. Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-plus position-less big from France, is the best draft prospect in some time. Scoot Henderson is the clear number two behind Wembanyama, and will be a franchise point guard for any team that calls his name this summer. Behind the chosen ones highlighting the draft, there’s debate to be had, especially for the Detroit Pistons, who need to nail this draft.
The third spot on the board could currently be filled by different names for different NBA organizations. However, is there a clear-cut number three prospect behind Wembanyama and Henderson?
Right now, it’s a bit early to call, and a lot can change as we head into draft night. At this time, to me, one prospect stands out from the rest of the pack that have a case to hear their name called at no. 3, especially if the Detroit Pistons get that pick.
Detroit Pistons: 3 best NBA Draft prospect, Amen Thompson (Overtime Elite)
Amen Thompson is a 6-foot-7 combo guard who’s spending his pre-draft time with the Overtime Elite program. This season, he’s averaging 17 points, six rebounds, six assists, and over two steals per game for the City Reapers in OTE’s league.
Thompson’s twin brother, Ausar, is also a high-end lottery prospect in this coming draft. Previously, I wrote about Ausar’s defensive ability and athleticism, which could fill a need for the Detroit Pistons. Amen is widely considered the better prospect of the Thompson twin duo thanks to his athleticism and scoring prowess.
Amen is big for a guard, the skillset he possesses is few and far between at his size. He’s great with the ball in his hands, and can be a true playmaker in the league.
He shines as a passer, providing easy opportunities for teammates off of incredible dishes.
Great pass by Amen Thompson to hit the roller. Might be the best passer in the first round in '23 draft pic.twitter.com/EsiNIXuYW9
— Draft Dummies (@DraftDummies) November 4, 2022
I could watch Amen Thompson pass the basketball for hours, no joke. So so so intriguing! pic.twitter.com/HhCBketDdE
— Hunter Cruse (@HunterCruse14) January 7, 2023
Thompson can have a pass-first mindset when he has the ball in his hands, which is a positive, however it can lead to a high number of turnovers. The athleticism combined with passing ability will likely cause a concern with turnovers during Amen’s pre-draft process and early time in the NBA. This is a bit expected with young players, so not a huge alarm, but something to monitor if Amen is a Piston come next season.
His athleticism also shows on the defensive end of the floor. Having as many tricks in the bag as Thompson does allows for versatility on defense. As a 6-foot-7 guard, he can easily defend a primary ball handler, while being able to switch and guard opposing forwards as needed.
As a shooter, Thompson has been effective from the field with OTE this season. This hasn’t translated to the perimeter yet, as Amen is shooting only 22 percent from three on the year. He isn’t known as a 3-point shooter, but this would be a nice addition to his game as he develops in the NBA.
The team that drafts Amen will be getting a superior athlete who can create offense for his team, he’ll be a strong playmaker for any offense. He’s unique for his role as a playmaking guard at his size, also being able to contribute on the glass and being able to exploit mismatches against smaller players on defense.
How does Amen Thompson fit with the Detroit Pistons?
My gut tells me that Amen won’t be relied upon to be a key ball handler for an NBA team, although he could be. He can play up as a wing thanks to his size and defensive skills, which could intrigue Detroit if they’re not picking in the top two.
If the Detroit Pistons end up drafting for true fit, I could see them prioritizing an actual wing who is a strong 3-point shooter and defender. Should the Pistons pick at no. 3 with Amen Thompson on the board, they may opt for Brandon Miller, who’s a bit longer than Thompson and can shoot the three at an extremely high rate.
Troy Weaver may elect to go with the best prospect on the board, as accumulating additional talent is a must for the Pistons. If that’s the case, I could see Amen finding a home in Detroit. Should that pan out, Thompson would be able to play alongside Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey in my eyes.
Good luck to any opponents that would have to try keeping up with an Ivey-Thompson duo on the fast break or in transition.
This would bring a strong playmaker and high-level athlete to the Pistons’ young core. I’d expect long distance shooting to be a focal point for Amen as he settles into the league. If he can find the deep shot consistently, Thompson could have star potential.