Detroit Pistons: Strange moves in the 2019 NBA Draft
If the Pistons were really looking to hit on a high-end but risky talent, then trading the rights to Kevin Porter Jr. really made no sense, as he was exactly that. He has had his troubles both on and off the court, and isn’t the most selfless player, but the guy can score and the Pistons gave him away for a bunch of second-round picks.
You can understand missing on guys like Daniel Gafford, Eric Paschall and Talen Horton-Tucker in the second round, as none of them were really projected to have a ceiling higher than the role players they have become.
But the Pistons also passed on Bol Bol, another potential high risk/high reward pick in the second round. Detroit had another chance to acquire him last season in a trade, but blew that one too and Bol ended up on the Magic, where he is having a good season averaging 12 points, 7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game (though he has fallen off a bit of late).
Bol had a higher ceiling than Deividas Sirvydis and is another guy the Pistons could certainly use this season.
Every team misses in the draft, it happens every year, but to have this many picks and walk away from the draft with absolutely nothing was a damaging blow to the Detroit Pistons, who could have at least had a quality role player.