Big swings and flops: Troy Weaver's first draft class with the Detroit Pistons

19th overall pick, Saddiq Bey, 6’6 small forward, Villanova

Troy Weaver was not done after the Isaiah Stewart trade/selection. In a deal that sent Luke Kennard to the Clippers, and Bruce Brown to the Nets, Detroit came away with the 19th overall pick in 2020. They used the selection for Villanova wing Saddiq Bey. Coming out of college, Bey had great size and strength at the small forward position. His three point shooting, ball spacing, and defense was his calling card, and his draft comparison was to former Piston Khris Middleton. Bey was actually one of the leaders on the Pistons for the majority of his time in the Motor City. His selection isn’t quite where Weaver went awry, it’s the way Bey was shipped out that was the issue. 

Detroit had come to the conclusion that Bey was not likely to receive an extension here in Detroit, so at the deadline last season, Troy Weaver and company made a trade. They would ship Saddiq Bey out in a deal that brought reclamation project James Wiseman back to Detroit. The trade came somewhat of a surprise, but Bey would end up with the Hawks. During his time in Atlanta, Saddiq is averaging 12 points, six rebounds, and shooting 34 percent from deep. 

If Detroit did not see a future with Bey in it, Weaver should have been able to get more in return than just James Wiseman. Draft selection was a minor hit, but the trade of Bey was a major miss.