The Detroit Pistons have the 5th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft but also have the first pick in the second round, a spot where they hope to find a sleeper.
Detroit will have their choice from a group of very intriguing Draft prospects, and many experts believe that there isn’t a whole lot of difference between a late lottery pick and the 31st in this particular draft.
The Pistons desperately need depth on the wing and could address that need in the second round. There will now potentially be a new name on their big boards as ESPN reported that Olivier-Maxence Prosper was keeping his name in the 2023 NBA Draft:
NEWS: Marquette's Olivier-Maxence Prosper is keeping his name in the 2023 NBA draft, he told ESPN. "O-Max" has elevated his standing considerably in the eyes of NBA teams at the draft combine and in workouts.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 26, 2023
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ESPN has him ranked as the 32nd prospect in this year’s draft, so he could be available when the Detroit Pistons choose, although a strong showing in the NBA Combine may have propelled Prosper into the first round.
If he does fall to the 2nd, he’s definitely a player who should interest the Detroit Pistons.
Detroit Pistons draft: Olivier-Maxence Prosper
If you have been watching this year’s playoffs, then you know how important versatile wing players have become. Every team is looking for forwards with length who can defend multiple positions, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper could be one of them.
Prosper is a 6-foot-8 forward with a 7-foot-1 wingspan and a great nickname “O-Max.” He averaged 12.5 points and 4.7 rebounds in his junior season at Marquette, and reportedly was a standout in Combine scrimmages, turning the heads of many a scout. Even though Prosper is a junior, he is only four months older than projected top-3 pick Brandon Miller and has a similar skillset.
Prosper is a big, strong and athletic forward who likes to get out in transition, and shot an incredible 62 percent from 2-point range this season while knocking down 34 percent of his 3-point shots.
He has the size, length and athleticism to be a very good defender, but the big question is whether he’ll be able to shoot well enough to make an NBA rotation. Some of those questions were answered in the Combine, as Prosper reportedly shot the ball very well.
When you watch his highlights, it’s hard to believe he will fall to the 2nd round, as he already has an NBA frame and is the prototype of what teams are looking for in a modern wing.
Here’s what Prosper had to say to ESPN about his chances in the draft:
"“My game translates really well to the NBA,” Prosper said. “It’s a positionless league, and wings like me who can guard multiple positions, run the floor, finish in transition and make catch-and-shoot 3s find ways to make winning plays and impact games. Based on what I’ve been told, there’s no reason I shouldn’t be a first-rounder.”"
He’s the exact type of player the Detroit Pistons should be targeting with their second-round pick, as he could end up being an impact 2-way wing and one of the steals of the draft if he falls.