Detroit Pistons: GM Troy Weaver’s draft picks so far

Troy Weaver was hired as GM of the Detroit Pistons to help restore a once-great team to its former status.

He didn’t inherit any assets to jumpstart the rebuild, so we knew coming in that this wasn’t going to be a quick fix.

For the Pistons to have sustained success, they have to build through the draft, as failure to do so is why they have been bad for so long.

He’s mostly delivered so far, and the Detroit Pistons do have some young talent to build around, though I am sure there are picks Troy Weaver would like to have back.

Detroit Pistons: GM Troy Weaver’s draft picks so far

2020 NBA Draft

• Killian Hayes: 7th
• Isaiah Stewart: 16th
• Saddiq Bey: 19th
• Saben Lee: 38th

Only two of these players are still with the team and the Killian Hayes pick had a ripple effect that is still hurting the Pistons, who could have had All-Star Tyrese Haliburton instead. Stewart signed the fist rookie extension for the Pistons since Andre Drummond, but Saddiq Bey was shipped out for James Wiseman and Saben Lee has bounced around and is now on the Suns. If Hayes doesn’t improve fast, he’ll be the next to be shown the door.

2021 NBA Draft

• Cade Cunningham: 1st
• Isaiah Livers: 42nd
• Luka Garza: 52nd
• Balsa Koprivica: 57th

This was one all about Cade and the Detroit Pistons hope they got their centerpiece with the overall number-one pick. The three second-rounders haven’t done much for Detroit as Livers has been hurt and Garza and Koprivica are no longer on the team. This should be a breakout year for Cunningham and Livers has to prove that he can stay healthy and make an impact off the bench or he won’t be long for Detroit.

2022 NBA Draft

• Jaden Ivey: 5th
• Jalen Duren: 13th
• Gabriele Procida: 36th

Weaver got two more foundational pieces in Ivey and Duren in this draft and the Pistons still have team control over Procida, who is still just 21-years-old and could eventually find a spot on the roster. Trading to get Duren turned out to be a great move, as he looks like the center of the forseeable future.

2023 NBA Draft

• Ausar Thompson: 5th
• Marcus Sasser: 25th

Thompson hopes to make Pistons fans forget about missing out on Victor Wembanyama after only winning 17 games last season. He should make an impact defensively right away and is already better than advertised on offense as a playmaker. Sasser will try to earn his way into the rotation, but will have a tough task with a lot of guards on the roster. But his ability to shoot the 3-ball should give him an advantage over Killian Hayes unless Hayes can be more consistent with his own shot.

So nine of the 13 players Troy Weaver has drafted are still with the team in some capacity, now it is time for them to show why they were chosen.