The Detroit Pistons are guaranteed to have a top-5 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, but there is certainly no guarantee how they will use it.
If they land #1, Victor Wembanyama will be coming to Detroit and fans will be dancing in the streets.
But anything from #2 on starts to get tricky, as the Pistons don’t really need another ball-dominant guard, though popular consensus says they would either just take Scoot Henderson and figure it out, or try to trade back.
The third pick would likely be wing Brandon Miller from Alabama, but if the Pistons end up 4th or 5th (please no) then just about every option is on the table, including trading the pick for multiple picks or a more established player.
Detroit Pistons draft: Trading for the biggest need
It is no secret that the Detroit Pistons need a wing who can defend, and if they did fall to the 4th or 5th pick, they could use that pick to make a trade.
The question is what type of player they might be able to get. Anything short of an impact two-way wing would be a big disappointment, but there are a couple who might be available, including OG Anunoby of the Toronto Raptors.
The Raptors are at a crossroads after missing the playoffs and parting ways with coach Nick Nurse. They could decide that cashing in Anunoby is the best way to retool around Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam.
Trading Anunoby would land Toronto a haul of assets and free up some future money for the inevitable Scottie Barnes extension.
There aren’t many players in the NBA who would be better fits for the Detroit Pistons than Anunoby, as he is one of the league’s best wing defenders and can shoot the 3-ball, a perfect match with Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey.
So what would it take to get him?