As rumors heat up about a potential upcoming expansion draft, we need look no further than the Pistons' history in expansion drafts to realize what a risky proposition it can be for any team. In the 1989 Expansion Draft, Detroit lost Rick Mahorn right after winning a championship with him starting at power forward. Although the Pistons would go on to win another title the following year, they missed some more productive years from Mahorn, including an All-Defensive selection in 1990.
The Pistons must be careful in an expansion draft scenario
Exercises like expansion drafts are always tricky for deep teams like the Pistons. It's obvious which players would be highest priority for the Pistons to protect - young rising stars like Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson. But Detroit has gotten great contributions from over a dozen guys this season and all of them can't be protected in an expansion draft.
As we go further down the rotation, Duncan Robinson and Isaiah Stewart would also be high on the totem pole with their important skillsets and huge roles. From there, it could get tricky depending on how the front office feels about other role players and whether or not they've proven themselves as long-term pieces.
But one name stands out as somebody who could shine elsewhere if he were snatched up in an expansion draft: Paul Reed. Reed has been the third-string center for the Pistons this season, but seemingly excelled whenever he gets a chance to start when Duren and Stewart miss time. In fact, he's put together 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks per game this season as a starter - and the Pistons are 7-1 in those games.
Paul Reed could be an excellent target for an expansion team
Reed has been an unsung hero for the Pistons this year, and losing him could have unexpected devastating effects. His impact on the court is obvious, especially on the defensive end. He regularly has some of the best plus/minus numbers on the Pistons, among a slew of difference makers.
For a team just getting started, he could fill in as a starter or sixth man; think of him in Stewart's current role on the Pistons. He would provide some consistency for a young team on both ends, including surprising offensive skills when fully unleashed.
The Pistons have so many solid players that it's almost inevitable one of them would get snatched up in an expansion draft, and Paul Reed unfortunately happens to play at a stacked position for the team. He may not be as notable as Rick Mahorn, but Reed could end up being another cautionary tale about expansion drafts.