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

Detroit Pistons: Trading down in the NBA Draft

There are two teams that look like candidates to trade down with in Orlando and Dallas. Orlando has two picks in the lottery and could package them to move up, though it’s highly unlikely that Detroit could get both picks just to propel Orlando up one spot.

This is especially true in a draft where the talent from 5-10 is pretty similar. But if the Magic wanted to move up to 5th, they could trade their 6th pick and another asset. It’s hard to see one spot mattering much to them, but there might be something for Detroit to work out here, as they could take on one of Orlando’s players and the 6th or 11th pick in exchange for pick #5.

Dallas seems like the team most likely to trade their pick this summer, as they need win-now talent around Luka Doncic. Dallas doesn’t really have the assets to move up in the draft, so this would be a tough sell unless the Mavs wanted to chuck in a future, unprotected first rounder to go along with the 10th pick. If a guy like Taylor Hendricks were to fall to 10th, it would be something to consider for the Detroit Pistons, who could get their wing and maybe another asset, but it’s more likely Dallas goes the other way and tries to move this pick for a player.