Another elite shooter named Malik lands with Pistons in latest mock draft

The Detroit Pistons lost one elite shooter named Malik when Malik Beasley went under investigation for gambling, but they could replace him in the draft with a new sharpshooter in Meleek Thomas. 

Even though the two spell their names differently, they have some similarities, as Thomas was an exceptional movement shooter for the Arkansas Razorbacks, who averaged over 15 points and shot 41.6 percent from 3-point range on over five attempts per game. 

Bleacher Report had the Pistons selecting Thomas with the 21st pick in their latest mock draft, and he makes a lot of sense, as Thomas ticks plenty of boxes for Detroit. 

When it comes to shooting strokes, you won’t find many better than Thomas’, as he gets rid of it quickly with a clean release and has already flashed deep range. He only needs a crack of daylight to get his shot off, so like Beasley or Duncan Robinson, he can space the floor with his movement and range. 

But Thomas has other attributes that might make him the perfect addition next to Cade Cunningham. 

Maleek Thomas can play on or off the ball 

Thomas is technically listed as a point guard, but he’s 6-foot-5 and spent more of his time off the ball playing with a ball-dominant guard in Darius Acuff Jr. 

Thomas knows how to move into space to get his shot, and once he gets his hands on it, it’s going up, as he has a green light at all times. 

But he’s not just a movement shooter, as Thomas has a quick first step and can get to his spots for pull-up mid-range shots as well. He’s a classical gunner in some ways, who like Beasley, plays with a bit of swagger, which the Pistons could certainly use on the offensive end. 

Thomas also took over the role of primary creator at times and has a quality the Pistons desperately need, which is ballhandling. Thomas only averaged one turnover per game even though he had a relatively high usage rate of 24 percent. 

The Pistons need someone who can take over the offense at times for Cade Cunningham, as well as someone who can get their own bucket, and Thomas provides all of those things, plus experience playing effectively with a ball-dominant guard. 

A majority of the mocks have the Pistons taking undersized guards to add more ball handling, but if they can get it with a taller guard or wing player who can also shoot, that would be far preferable, as the Pistons need ball handling from positions other than just point guard. 

Thomas is an interesting prospect who could thrive even more in the NBA, especially playing alongside a playmaker like Cunningham. 

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