Pistons draft payout teetering on the brink

Given the events of the last two weeks, it’s pretty clear the Detroit Pistons won the Jaden Ivey trade, but there is more to come. 

Not only did Ivey flame out in epic fashion, which was the final straw that got the entire Bulls’ front office fired, but Kevin Huerter has been playing well in a larger role and looks as if he’ll be a key addition for the Pistons in the playoffs. 

But there is one more element to the Jaden Ivey trade, which is the pick swap that Detroit will get from Minnesota, which is teetering on the brink of perfection and disaster. 

The best-case scenario for the Pistons draft pick 

The pick swap the Pistons received from Minnesota in the Ivey deal is top 19 protected, so the best pick Detroit can get in his situation is the 20th. 

As of right now, the Pistons are sitting at 21st, so would be moving up seven spots from their 28th pick. 

Getting a top 20 or 21 pick in this draft could end up being huge for Detroit, as this year is deep with talent, and we could see some very good players slide out of the lottery. 

Even if they don’t, Detroit might have the firepower to move up a few spots if they need to, so could end up with a rotation player right away, which would be ideal. 

The Timberwolves have four games left, and if looks like they will probably stay put, as there are 1.5 games between them and the Hawks at #20 and three games between them and the Rockets, who are slotted into the 22nd spot. 

The Timberwolves play the Pacers, Magic, Rockets and Pelicans to close the season, so still have a chance to catch Atlanta, but if they split, will likely stay at the 21st pick. 

The nightmare scenario for Detroit 

The worst-case scenario is that Minnesota loses all four games and moves into the top 19, which would allow them to keep their pick. 

Unfortunately, this is in play, as the Timberwolves have lost three straight and have a three-game cushion between them and the 7th seed Suns. 

I am sure the T’Wolves don’t want to go into the playoffs on a seven-game losing streak, but I am also sure they’d love to keep a top-19 pick in this draft, so it will be interesting to see if they shut their starters down and tank this out. 

Even if Minnesota lost every game, it wouldn’t guarantee anything, so it seems an unlikely strategy for a playoff team to tank their final four games just for the outside shot at a pick that isn’t even in the lottery. 

Now that the Pistons have the number one seed sewn up, fans will have one eye on the Timberwolves and the final payout from the Jaden Ivey trade.