Draft prospects if things go wrong, or if the Pistons reach their ceiling
By Tyler Dutton
Matas Buzelis: 6-foot-10 SF, G-League Ignite, USA04
Once considered the number one prospect in this class, Matas has seen a slight fall in his rankings. Listed between 6’9-6’10, Matas comes in as one of the larger small forwards in the upcoming draft. With both the body size and passing/handles of former top pick Chet Holmgren, Buzelis is somewhat of a unicorn. The combination of size and playmaking make him a matchup nightmare for opposing teams. Outside of his creativity and matchup upside, however, Matas must continue to work on his scoring outside the lane to be a true big wing in the NBA. That’s where he falls behind the aforementioned Holmgren.
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Because of the recent slide Buzelis has seen on draft boards, he may be a more likely selection for Detroit. As mentioned, however, his pick would be more so based on potential. Potential on his size and ability is worth a look in itself. The fit for Matas in the current rotation is less apparent, as Detroit is loaded with bigs. Because of that log jam and his lack of spacing away from the basket, I think it would be best for Detroit to look past his passing and vision and steer clear of the Lithuanian unicorn.