Detroit Pistons 2023 Draft: 5 wings for the second round

The Detroit Pistons are hoping to land an elite talent in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft, but they will also have a pick in the second round.

Right now, that pick would be 32nd, high enough that the Pistons can potentially find a rotation player or even an impact player, as more and more teams are finding gems in the second round and even outside of the draft.

Detroit has a lot of young talent already but have a deficit on the wing, where they don’t really have a true small forward. They need to find a player who can defend the position or shoot, preferably both, and the free-agent class is light on wings.

Luckily, the 2023 draft class is loaded at wing, especially for guys who are projected to go late in the first or early in the second round. Of course, a lot can change between now and then and some of these players will rise or fall depending on their performance in March Madness or international play.

But here is a way-too-early look at five wings who could help the Detroit Pistons.

Detroit Pistons 2023 Draft: 5 wings for the second round

Bilal Coulibaly: Metropolitans 92 (France)

Coulibaly, who happens to be teammates of Victor Wembanyama (how about a package deal?) is a 6-foot-6 small forward who will be one of the youngest players in the 2023 NBA Draft if he enters it. He’s a bouncy and athletic forward who is adept at slithering to the rim and is a very good finisher in transition. He’s a decent shooter who has made 34 percent of his 3-point shots, but really projects more as a slasher and a guy who could be a plus defender on the wing. He’s a good shot blocker for his size due to his length and is disruptive in passing lanes. He’d be more of a project, and won’t be ready to contribute right away, but he has the type of athleticism and defensive upside the Pistons need at the position. Let’s hope Detroit ends up with two players from the Metropolitans this season.