If you are a big fan of the 2020 NBA Draft, then the Detroit Pistons are the team for you.
Troy Weaver obviously is, as he grabbed yet another player from that draft class, getting RJ Hampton off waivers after he was cut by the Orlando Magic, giving the Pistons four players from that draft.
After clearing waivers, guard R.J. Hampton plans to sign with the Detroit Pistons, sources tell ESPN. Hampton, the 24th overall pick in 2020, averaged 5.7 points in 13.9 minutes for the Magic this season.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 21, 2023
At this point, Weaver’s modus operandi is taking flyers on first-round picks who haven’t panned out so far in the league, as he did recently when he traded Saddiq Bey and Kevin Knox (another bust project) for James Wiseman.
Hampton is another such player, as he was chosen 24th in the 2020 NBA Draft, but has yet to really make an impact in the NBA. I did a detailed draft profile on Hampton, as the Detroit Pistons were clearly looking for a point guard in that draft, and he had high upside coming from the New Zealand Breakers.
He’s a big combo guard with athleticism who can play the point, slash to the rim and occasionally set up teammates, though he’s been more of a score-first guard in his career so far. Hampton can be a highlight reel around the rim and in the open court, as he has big-time hops and quickness, both things that the Pistons need.
Hampton is shooting an incredible 68 percent at the rim this season and 34 percent from the 3-point line, so he has some tools to work with and may finally get his chance.
But is he even going to make the rotation? If so, how does he fit in?
Detroit Pistons rotation with RJ Hampton
RJ Hampton was seemingly happy to join the Detroit Pistons and he should be, as he’ll have a chance to get minutes right away.
— RJ (@RjHampton14) February 21, 2023
Hampton was buried on Orlando behind Anthony, Fultz and Suggs, but should have a chance to get backup minutes for the Pistons. Cory Joseph was one of the players I was hoping to see less of in the home stretch and now Detroit has someone who can slide into the backup point guard role and get those minutes.
We’ll see if coach Dwane Casey plays along when it comes to CoJo, but this is what the depth chart should look like in the final 23 games:
- Killian Hayes/RJ Hampton
- Jaden Ivey/Alec Burks
- Bojan Bogdanovic/Hamidou Diallo
- Isaiah Stewart/Isaiah Livers
- Jalen Duren/James Wiseman
Of course, we are sure to see different combinations and variations as coach Casey experiments with the starting lineup and depth chart, but there is really no reason to continue to play Joseph, who is a veteran on an expiring deal and not part of the future plans.
That second unit is suddenly very athletic with Hampton, Diallo and Wiseman and should be a fun group to watch with two shooters flanking them.
Hampton should get a chance to show what he can do over these last 23 games as Troy Weaver continues to roll the dice on busts from the 2020 draft.