Detroit Pistons: 5 predictions for the 2023 NBA Draft

Detroit Pistons: 5 predictions for the 2023 NBA Draft

#4: The Detroit Pistons will not trade the 5th pick and will select…

There are rumblings that the Detroit Pistons are asking for a massive haul to move the 5th pick and they should. This will hopefully be the last time they are choosing in the top-5 for a long time (hopefully) so they should go for another high-end prospect. They don’t need more than one rookie in the first round, so it makes little sense to trade back for additional picks.

With the 5th pick, the Detroit Pistons will select Ausar Thompson from Overtime Elite. Troy Weaver talked about going for “the big fly” instead of selecting for fit or need, but luckily, Thompson would allow Detroit to do both, as he is a high-end prospect with a skillset they need.

Thompson’s defense will play right away, his playmaking is better than advertised (he didn’t get to show it much playing with his brother) and his shooting is more consistent than Amen’s. Some teams (Detroit is reportedly one of them) have him ranked higher than Amen.

Ausar is not a great shooter, but he’s an elite athlete, could be the best defender in his class, and he was very impressive in workouts and interviews. There has been so much smoke around this pick that I can’t see my hand in front of my face, but in the end, the Pistons will take the bigger risk on a potentially higher reward.

#5: The Pistons will trade the 31st pick

Although Detroit could use a project for one of their two-way spots, I think they will trade the 31st pick, either to move into the first round or to grab a player who can help them now. Some of the contenders may be willing to give up a quality role player who they can’t afford in order to get a pick that is as close to a first rounder as you can get. Detroit could use some of their cap space to help a team shed some payroll and grab a player and lower second-round pick in the process. Either way, I don’t think the Pistons walk away from this draft with more than two players.