Constructing a Pistons “dream team” if they nailed every Draft
2013: Giannis Antetokounmpo over Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with the 8th pick
Another mediocre lottery pick that Detroit missed on, though after last night, KCP has won more rings than Giannis.
What’s sad about this one is that KCP is a guy the Pistons gave up on too soon, as they could have at least had the 3-and-D role player they need. He also walked for nothing, so Detroit effectively got zilch from the 8th pick in the draft when they could have had an MVP.
You can’t crucify them too much on this one, as a lot of teams missed on Giannis.
2014: Jerami Grant over Spencer Dinwiddie with the 38th pick
Detroit didn’t even have a first-round pick in this one, and to be fair, they did nail the second rounder by taking Dinwiddie. But he was yet another guy they gave up too soon, trading him for Cameron Bairstow (nice one!) after not playing him in favor of Steve Blake. Player development like this is why the Pistons have the longest active streak of not winning a playoff game.
Jerami Grant went just one pick later, and even though both players turned out to be good, Grant is still a very valuable two-way wing and a guy Detroit could bring back.