With a crowded roster of talented young big men, it might make little to no sense for the Detroit Pistons to select center Victor Wembenyama in the NBA Draft. They could trade the pick for what would be a King’s ransom.
Some years there is doubt on who the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft would be. In 2021, while Cade Cunningham was the consensus top rated player, there were those making a case for Evan Mobley or Jalen Green (Green was one of those) to be drafted first.
But this is not one of those years. Everyone knows that when Adam Silver steps to the podium, it will be 7-foot-4 French wunderkind Victor Wembanyama who will be taken first in the draft.
The question becomes, what will the Detroit Pistons do if they end up with the first pick again?
They already have a lot of young big men who general manager Troy Weaver drafted or traded for. It is not a position of need, particularly if newly acquired James Wiseman shows the potential that made him the No. 2 overall pick in 2019.
Could the Detroit Pistons pass on a once-in-a-generational talent like Wembanyama? Would they risk being tagged, like the Portland Trail Blazers were for passing on Michael Jordan, for worst bonehead mistakes in draft history?
Detroit already has a budding star center in 19-year-old Jalen Duren. And now, they have the 7-foot Wiseman who really is a wild card. He played little at Golden State due to injuries and because, well, they did not need him, but he came into the league with a lot of promise.
Wiseman is being put right into the starting lineup, supposedly. What if he looks good? The Pistons could be set at the center position for the next 10 years between him and Duren. Do they need a third center, even if it is one that is a super-duper prospect line Wembanyama?
Of course, Wembanyama can play all over the floor, and may just be a position-less big who will block shots and be an offensive weapon no matter if you want to call him a center or not.
Weaver’s phone would be ringing off the hook if word got out they were even considering trading out of the No. 1 spot.
How about this for a trade?
Would you do it? Remember, the Pistons do not need a center …. at all. In a pinch, Isaiah Stewart can always move back into the ‘5’ spot, where he was a starter for two years.
Detroit has said they want to be a contender next season. Having three standout, but very young, centers, none of whom can really play power forward, does not really push that forward.
It’s unlikely that the Pistons would do such a trade, but it does give you an idea of the type of return the no. 1 pick could bring this offseason.
Detroit Pistons scoot on down to second to get Scoot Henderson?
The Pistons do not have to trade away the No. 1 pick. They could just agree to move down, for the right price.
In 2017, the Boston Celtics held the No. 1 overall pick. They traded with the 76ers to trade down to No. 3 in the draft. Philly selected Markelle Fultz (who then forgot how to shoot) while the Celtics had to ‘settle’ for Jayson Tatum.
If, say, the San Antonio Spurs held the No. 2 selection, they could make an offer to Weaver to flip-flop for a load of first rounders. The Pistons then could take guard Scoot Henderson.
This is the rare draft where the top two players are universally agreed upon. Henderson would be the No. 1 pick in most seasons, where there was not a 7-4 guy who can shoot and play like a guard.
A backcourt with a healthy Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and adding Scoot Henderson? That would be fun to watch.
If Wiseman looks good in the next couple months, and if, and based on past history, a big if, the Pistons get the first pick for the second time in three years, there are suddenly a lot of options on the table. Including trading a chance at Victor Wembanyama.