The 2023 NBA Draft is just a few days away and trade rumors are flying, including many that involve the Detroit Pistons.
Detroit has made it clear that everything is on the table, including trading the 5th pick, but as we know, this is smokescreen season and not every rumor has validity.
It’s just as likely that Detroit selects a player with the 5th pick, adding another exciting young talent to their core and then tries to address their holes in free agency and trades after the draft.
But Thursday is shaping up to be a wild day, as several teams are reportedly trying to trade their picks and there could also be more superstars on the trade market.
So here are five possible draft trades suggested by various sources, ranked by which one would most help the Detroit Pistons.
Ranking 5 possible draft trades for the Detroit Pistons
#5: Trading back with the Wizards
Now that the Wizards have finally traded Beal (what a travesty of asset management), it makes sense for them to lean into a full-blown rebuild. Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis could also flee for greener pastures, leaving the Wizards with a roster barren of high-end talent.
Trying to move up in the draft makes sense, as they could get an exciting player to start building around and at least give their abused fans some kind of hope. But would they be willing to attach one of their young players to do it?
It makes sense for the Wizards to try and add some star power. Avdija profiles more as a high-end role player than a guy to build around, even though he did come on down the stretch this season and look like a future part of their core.
It would be tough for the Pistons to do this without knowing which player was still available at eight, as they may still be able to get a guy like Jarace Walker (unlikely) or Taylor Hendricks (more likely) while adding an emerging young wing on a rookie deal. Avdija is the type of do-it-all player who fits on any roster and would still leave Detroit plenty of cap space to upgrade.