How the Detroit Pistons could trade up or down in the 2023 NBA Draft

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) moves the ball up court in front of Detroit Pistons forward Isaiah Livers (12) Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) moves the ball up court in front of Detroit Pistons forward Isaiah Livers (12) Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
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Detroit Pistons
People walk past the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery board Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The worst-case scenario came true in the NBA Draft Lottery for the Detroit Pistons, as they walked away with the 5th pick, the lowest they could fall.

Detroit became the first team to lose the most games in the NBA and fall all the way to 5th, so at least they are making history with their devastating plummet.

As bad as it feels to drop yet again, the Detroit Pistons still have a top-5 pick, so it is not the end of the world. They could still find a high-end talent as they did with the same pick last year, landing Jaden Ivey, who looks to be one of the top-3 players from his draft.

The Pistons will also entertain any and all trade ideas with that 5th pick, though there are questions about the kind of return they could expect to get.

The 5th pick won’t be the easiest to trade, as there is a perceived drop off in talent after pick three, but there are situations in which the Pistons could use that pick to trade up or even down in the 2023 NBA Draft.