Detroit Pistons add former teammate of Killian Hayes

The Detroit Pistons were hoping to land another French prospect to go along with Killian Hayes this offseason.

But the one they wanted ended up on the San Antonio Spurs, while the Pistons had to settle for Ausar Thompson with the 5th pick.

France is currently a powerhouse in European basketball and it’s not all just Victor Wembanyama, as the Wizards traded up to take his teammate Bilal Coulibaly with the 7th pick.

The Pistons have gotten in on the action themselves, inking Malcolm Cazalon, a former teammate of Killian Hayes on the French U17 team, to a two-way deal, presumably to compete in Summer League.

Some thought Cazalon would be drafted, but when his name wasn’t called, the Detroit Pistons swooped in to take a flyer on an intriguing prospect.

Detroit Pistons: French prospect Malcolm Cazalon

Malcom Cazalon is a 6-foot-6 guard/wing with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, traits Troy Weaver has been targeting. He’s an athletic lefty who is very good at finishing in transition and around the rim. He’s put on strength this season for Mega Basket of the ABA and it shows when he goes to the rim on the break.

He averaged 11.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.7 steals this past season while shooting 33.7 percent from long range on 4.2 attempts per game, an area where he’ll have to improve. Like another French lefty we know, Cazalon has the tendency to take shots without getting his feet set, but when he does, he’s actually a decent shooter.

Cazalon can make plays out of the pick and roll and makes slick passes at times, so has the potential to be a secondary ball handler in the half court. Like so many undrafted wing prospects, he does a lot of things well, but isn’t elite at any one of them and his ceiling will likely be determined by his defense and ability to hit the 3-pointer.

He is a good defender who moves his feet well and can switch onto bigger players, so his path to the NBA is as a 3-and-D wing who provides energy off the bench. He’ll likely be featured on the Summer League and compete to keep one of the two-way contracts.