Detroit Pistons 2023 Draft: 5 wings for the second round

Detroit Pistons 2023 Draft: 5 wings for the second round

Julian Phillips: Tennessee 

Julian Phillips is a 6-foot-7 freshman with a lot of potential as a defender. He hasn’t shot the 3-ball well in his first season, but he does shoot over 80 percent from the line, so there is a chance that part of his game really improves over time. But he really projects as a potentially elite defender, as he is very athletic, long and puts in the effort at that end, so if his shot comes around, he could be the type of 3-and-D wing that the Detroit Pistons lack. He plays with a little edge, loves to get on the boards, and likes to do the little things that lead to winning. He’s the type of gritty player the Pistons need, as he’ll dig in on defense and make hustle plays all over the court.

Emoni Bates: Eastern Michigan

No player in the 2023 NBA Draft has as much superstar or bust potential as Emoni Bates, who was at one point thought to be one of the best prospects in his draft class, but could now go anywhere from the lottery to late second round depending on who you ask. He’s had some monster games this season, and when he is on, he’s got a little poor man’s Devin Durant vibe going, but he’s also been wildly inefficient and inconsistent at times. He’ll put up 35 points one night and then four a few days later. If he makes it in the NBA, it will be because of his scoring, as he can flat-out shoot the 3-ball when he gets it going. But there are big-time concerns about his length (he has very short arms for his height) and his defense, which is often non-existent, which is why he has dropped this far. Some team is going to roll the dice on Bates’ potential and he has the chance to be a big-time scorer or completely flame out in the NBA.