For the first time in recent memory, the Detroit Pistons will not be a part of the first-round of the NBA Draft.
The Pistons don’t have a first-round pick after sending it to Minnesota as debt from a deal made back in 2020 that brought Isaiah Stewart to Detroit.
Detroit does have the 37th pick and may be happy with it, as Trajan Langdon indicated that there isn’t much interest in moving up with so much young talent already on the team.
The Pistons will be happy to try and find a second-round gem, either a young developmental player to put into their pipeline or an older prospect who might be able to help now.
Langdon has had success in this range before, most recently with Herb Jones, and will likely just take the best player available rather than try to target a specific need.
It seems unlikely that the Pistons would take another small guard, but that’s exactly what happens in the most recent ESPN Mock Draft, their first since the combine.
Detroit Pistons draft: Tahaad Pettiford profiles as another Marcus Sasser
ESPN has the Pistons taking Auburn freshman Tahaad Pettiford with the 37th pick after he averaged 11.6 points and three assists per game this year for the Tigers. Pettiford shot 42 percent from the field and 36.6 from long range on five attempts per game.
Pettiford is just 6-foot-1 but is more of a shoot-first point guard who profiles as a volume scorer, and if that sounds familiar it’s because the Pistons already have another player in Marcus Sasser who fits the same profile.
It’s difficult for me to imagine the Pistons taking another undersized guard, especially after Sasser had a good season as an occasional fill in and offensive sparkplug off the bench. Sasser put in a professional shift this year, always ready when called upon even though he never knew when that was going to be.
As I said, the Pistons will take the guy who they think is the best prospect regardless of position, but all things being equal, they have far larger long-term needs to fill, especially at the four spot.
Trajan Langdon has also shown a preference for long wings in the draft, something I expect could continue in this one depending on who falls to them at the 37th pick.
I know Mock Draft season is officially upon us when I see the Pistons making a selection that doesn’t make any sense, which is the case with this one.