Detroit Pistons draft: An athletic, shot-blocking prospect for the 2nd round

The Detroit Pistons hold the 31st pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and there is a good chance they can find a player there who can at least compete for a two-way contract.

Recently we’ve looked at some of the older prospects who are projected to go in that range, as there are several seniors who might be able to help the Pistons at forward.

In addition to needing wing defense and shooting, the Detroit Pistons also need players who can protect the rim, an area where they were lacking this season.

Detroit was just 27th in the NBA in blocked shots per game (and that’s with playing two bigs some of the time) and 28th in points in the paint allowed.

One player who may be able to help in this area is Trayce Jackson-Davis, a senior out of Indiana who could fall to the second round and the Detroit Pistons.

Detroit Pistons draft: Trayce Jackson-Davis

Trayce Jackson-Davis doesn’t tick all of the boxes of what you would want from a modern NBA power forward, as he doesn’t shoot 3-point shots and does most of his offensive damage from the post and mid-range.

He’s a strong 6-foot-9, 245lbs. and averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds per game in his final season with the Hoosiers. He might not be a 3-point shooter, but he’s an athletic and skilled forward who is a very good passer (4 assists per game) and rim protector (2.9 blocks per game) as you can see in these highlights from the NCAA Tournament:

He’s ceiling will likely be defined by whether he develops an NBA 3-point shot, but even if he doesn’t, he’s a guy who can affect games with his athleticism, motor and shot blocking. He’s also good in the pick-and-roll and dribble handoff situations.

These types of versatile bigs have been very important in this year’s playoffs, as we’ve seen with guys like Kevon Looney.

The Detroit Pistons need more players who can defend the rim and grab defensive rebounds, and Jackson-Davis should be able to at least do those things right away.

He’d be an interesting choice in the second round, especially if the Pistons were to trade from their surplus of big men.