Pistons mock draft: Detroit trades back for two picks

Detroit Pistons draft: Trading with the Orlando Magic

Yes, do it!

If you really believe the point of tanking is to get maximum chances to add a star, then two picks are better than one, no?

The difference between pick five and seven is negligible in this draft (which is likely why Orlando wouldn’t do this trade) and the Pistons may be able to get the guy they like most and another pick on top of it, similar to what they did last year with Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren.

If the Pistons like Cam Whitmore as much or more than the Thompson twins or Walker, then trading back might make sense, as they could still probably get him with the 7th pick and then use the 10th to swing for the fences on upside or go with more of a sure thing like sharpshooter Gradey Dick.

It’s also possible that Detroit could use one of the picks to package in a trade, so could walk away from the draft with a lottery prospect as well as a more established player to plug into their rotation.

Outside of Wembanyama, this draft is wide open, so who knows, the best player (other than Wemby) could be taken outside of the top-5 and trading back would give the Detroit Pistons two chances to find him.

Yes, Detroit does have young players, but how many of them are really seen as part of the future? Outside of Cunningham, Ivey and Duren, the rest have unclear futures with the team.

I think you can make an argument either way, though let’s hope that it doesn’t come to this and the Pistons are instead choosing first, which will be an easy call that would have the city of Detroit dancing in the streets.