We are now just over two weeks away from the NBA Draft Lottery that will decide the fate of the Detroit Pistons.
If they land the #1 overall pick, it could change the course of the franchise, as many believe that Victor Wembanyama is going to be a generational player.
Unfortunately, there is only a 14 percent chance that is going to happen, while the Pistons have a 47.9 percent chance of landing the 5th pick, the worst-case scenario that no one wants to talk about.
But let’s face it, there is practically a 50/50 percent chance, a coin flip if you will, that the Detroit Pistons’ name will be under the card with the big five on the back.
So if the Detroit Pistons do end up choosing 5th, what will they do? I used the Tankathon lottery simulator to come up with this order for the 2023 NBA Draft.
2023 NBA Mock Draft
In this simulation, the Charlotte Hornets, who ended the season as the 4th-worst team in the NBA, luck out and jump up to the #1 pick.
Whoever gets Wembanyama is immediately going to be viewed differently and the Hornets are no exception. They are a bit of a mess at the moment, but Wembanyama is a fix for even the most incoherent roster.
He would slide right into the Kelly Oubre Jr. slot and make LaMelo Ball the happiest point guard on planet earth.
2023 NBA Mock Draft
The Washington Wizards are dancing in the streets after jumping up six spots to land the #2 pick and the chance to draft Scoot Henderson.
There has been a lot of talk about Brandon Miller being drafted over Scoot (especially if the Detroit Pistons get the pick) but the Wizards would be the perfect spot for Henderson, as they don’t have much at point guard and would finally have a second star to pair with Bradley Beal.
Putting Scoot with Beal, Kuzma (who would be more likely to stay) and Porzingis would immediately make the Wizards a very interesting team in the Eastern Conference.
2023 NBA Mock Draft
The Portland Trail Blazers moved up two spots to get the third pick, which could drastically change their offseason plans.
There has been a lot of trade talk around Damian Lillard (what’s new) and this could be the offseason that the superstar finally takes his talents somewhere else.
If Portland wants to keep him, then they need to put more “win now” talent around him, in which case this pick would be up for grabs. Any team with a star player (or very good role player who complements Lillard) will be calling about this pick.
Miller has all of the skills needed for a modern wing, as he can shoot, create his own shot and has the size to defend all over. Would the Detroit Pistons consider trying to move up if the third pick goes to a team like Portland? Do they even have any assets the Trail Blazers would want?
2023 NBA Mock Draft
The San Antonio Spurs are another team that could go in a lot of different directions. They have some nice young players, and Thompson could be the glue that brings them all together.
He is considered more of a guard and playmaker than his brother Ausar, and could be slotted in as a point forward for the Spurs.
If Thompson were to push Tre Jones to the bench, then the Spurs could live the modern dream and run a position-less starting five where everyone can defend. If anyone can pull if off, it’s Greg Popovich. Like the Detroit Pistons, the fans of the San Antonio Spurs wouldn’t be happy about falling, but Thompson would give them a very interesting and versatile young team.
2023 NBA Mock Draft: Detroit Pistons shock everyone
The Detroit Pistons fall four spots to the 5th pick in this simulation, which is the absolute worst-case scenario and could lead to a wild 2023 NBA Draft.
Troy Weaver is under pressure to win, or at least be competitive, so he might be tempted to trade this pick in a package for an established wing like OG ANunoby, if he becomes available.
While that does make some sense, so does just taking the best player available, as this draft is wing-heavy and one of them could end up being just as good as OG Anunoby someday and under team control.
Some scouts think that player is Hendricks, who has somewhat flown under the radar this season, as he plays for UCF and not a major NCAA team.
But Hendricks has everything the Detroit Pistons need out of a forward. Scouts are enamored by his size at 6-foot-9, as well as his ability to shoot the 3-ball (just under 40 percent) and block shots (1.7 per game). His combination of outside shooting and rim protection could make him the best two-way wing in this draft unless you count Wembanyama as a wing.
A high-level floor spacer who can protect the rim is pretty much exactly what the Detroit Pistons need. Hendricks would be a surprise pick here, but many believe he has more upside as a two-way player than the wings ranked ahead of him.
This would be a major swing for the fences by Troy Weaver, but it’s very possible that Hendricks jumps into the top five or six of the 2023 NBA Draft.
2023 NBA Mock Draft
The Houston Rockets drop four spots in this simulation, which they deserve after all of the trash their fans have been talking after hiring Ime Udoka, a guy the Detroit Pistons didn’t even bother to interview.
Like the Detroit Pistons, the Houston Rockets need big help on the defensive end, as they were just below the Pistons in points per game allowed this season.
There is a good chance the Rockets are going to look like a much different team, as there are rumblings that they are going to pursue James Harden and that they may even consider trading Jalen Green, which was somewhat surprising to hear.
The great thing about Ausar Thompson is that he has the type of game that will fit on any roster, as he is a plus athlete who profiles as a potentially elite defender. He showed signs of improving his 3-point shot, and if he does, he’ll be a two-way star in this league for years to come.
2023 NBA Mock Draft
Orlando drops one spot to the 7th pick and grabs forward Jarace Walker. Walker is not the most exciting pick out there, but his floor is as high as just about anyone’s as he is already a good defender and projects to be a decent 3-point shooter as well.
Orlando already has some young stars and playmakers in place, so it makes sense to add a guy who will do all of the little things while also spreading the floor for Paolo Banchero.
But it would also make sense for the Magic to really swing for the fences on upside here, as they have a second pick in the lottery and could hope that Walker falls to them there. But that is unlikely to happen, so they grab Walker to add to their exciting young core that is one of the best in all of basketball.
2023 NBA Mock Draft
The Pacers would probably love to grab a power forward to put next to Myles Turner and Whitmore could be that guy.
The 6-foot-7 forward is not a great rebounder, but he is a solid two-way player who can defend a couple of positions. He has a more dynamic offensive game than Walker, but is probably not as good a defender.
If the Pacers really wanted Walker (who fits perfectly with Turner), then they could consider throwing in an asset to move up in this one.
But instead, they just take Whitmore, who could help them at a couple of positions.
2023 NBA Mock Draft
Utah could go in a lot of different directions here. They already have plenty of role players and would probably love to walk away from the 2023 NBA Draft with someone with more star potential, but Wallace is the best point guard available and could play valuable minutes for them right away.
He’s a tenacious defender who could be a game-changer off the bench or a nice complement to Collin Sexton. Wallace can play on or off the ball offensively and his defense is going to play right away even if it were off the bench.
He would be an upgrade from Kris Dunn, who has a non-guaranteed contract that the Jazz could decide to walk away from.
2023 NBA Mock Draft
The NBA’s most disappointing team, the Dallas Mavericks are a hot mess and there is no telling what they will be up to this summer.
They stupidly didn’t keep Jalen Brunson and instead spent all of their trade assets to get Kyrie Irving, who can now walk for nothing if he wants. Their offseason will revolve around what happens with Irving, so predicting their draft pick is tough.
If they were to lose Irving, taking a defensive guard or someone who can shoot would make sense, as would drafting Anthony Black, who Dallas might be happy fell into their laps.
Black would give Luka a big backcourt mate who could defend the bigger guards and some wings, while also providing another playmaker to take some of the load off his shoulders.
This is a huge offseason for the Mavs, who are desperate to improve and keep Luka happy.
2023 NBA Mock Draft
The Magic would be very happy if Gradey Dick were to fall to them with the 11th pick, which they are getting from the Chicago Bulls.
The 6-foot-7 forward out of Kansas is one of the best 3-point shooters in the draft, but he can do more than just stand behind the 3-point line.
Orlando was 25th in 3-point percentage this season, so could definitely use more players who can spread the floor around Banchero. Dick will fit right in pretty much anywhere he is drafted and will immediately be a 3-point threat off the bench for Orlando.
The Magic already have their stars in place, so getting two quality role players on the wing would really solidify their roster.
2023 NBA Mock Draft
The OKC Thunder have young talent just about everywhere as well as about ten thousand future draft picks, so there is no telling what they will do this summer after making the play-in tournament without top pick Chet Holmgren.
I could definitely see the Thunder trading this pick for a “win now” talent to go with all of their youth, but they really don’t have to, as their team is progressing nicely and will be getting Holmgren back.
Smith Jr. was an elite high school prospect and considered one of the top point guards in this draft, so he could potentially help their backup point guard situation right away. He could play at guard with either Josh Giddey or SGA, so he’d be a nice fit on the Thunder.
2023 NBA Mock Draft
The Raptors are pretty much set everywhere except guard, where Fred VanVleet could flee for greener pastures this summer.
The Raptors are looking for a new coach and may decide that now is the time to retool their roster, and potentially move on from VanVleet, as their ceiling right now seems to be about a play-in team.
George would give them a guard who can score and create his own shot, something that the Raptors currently lack, especially if VanVleet were to leave.
The Raptors are another team that could potentially trade out of this spot and try to grab a player who is more established to join their core. Do they have the assets to pursue someone like Damian Lillard this offseason?
2023 NBA Mock Draft
As long as the New Orleans Pelicans have Zion Williamson (could they look to trade him to a team like the Detroit Pistons?) they will look to add big wings who can shoot, and Howard fits the description.
The Pelicans love these types of versatile wing/guards and adding Howard would give them the opportunity to surround Zion and Brandon Ingram with big players who can stroke the 3-point shot.
Howard would be a great fit for the Pelicans and could even fill in for Zion when he inevitably gets hurt this offseason or shortly after next season begins (Sorry NOLA).
2023 NBA Mock Draft
15: Atlanta Hawks-Jordan Hawkins
16: Utah Jazz-Kyle Filipowski
17: LA Lakers-Brice Sensabaugh
18: Miami Heat-Leonard Miller
19: Golden State Warriors-Rayan Rupert
20: Houston Rockets-Dereck Lively II
21: Brooklyn Nets-Donovan Clingan
22: Brooklyn Nets-Jalen Hood-Schifino
23: Portland Trail Blazers-Colby Jones
24: Sacramento Kings-Kris Murray
24: Memphis Grizzlies-Noah Clowney
26: Indiana Pacers-Jaime Jaquez Jr.
27: Charlotte Hornets-Dariq Whitehead
28: Utah Jazz-Maxwell Lewis
29: Indiana Pacers-Marcus Sasser
30: LA Clippers-Sidy Cissoko