The Detroit Pistons tanked away three seasons hoping to garner elite talent, but so far they've collected exactly one player ranked in the top 100.
Hopefully, we'll see Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson make that leap soon, but so far the Pistons have painfully little to show for four years of historic losing.
They have the worst record in the NBA again, which would give them maximum odds for the number one pick, but we all know by now that having the worst record is no guarantee of anything other than not falling out of the top five.
Even if the Pistons did get the #1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, there is no consensus about who will be chosen, as this draft is as wide open as I can remember. Things can certainly change and there will likely be at least one player who emerges as a top choice, but right now, this is a draft that appears light on stars.
That's why a recent mock draft was not only depressing, but actually kind of funny when you see the players they projected to the Detroit Pistons.
NBA Mock Draft: Pistons take two more centers and fans riot
Bleacher Report recently did a full two-round mock draft, and it was a depressing read if you are a fan of the Detroit Pistons. The players they had the Pistons selecting are not going to excite the fanbase and if this actually happened, may cause a small riot in Detroit.
Pistons select PF/C Alexandre Sarr with the #1 pick
The mock draft has the Pistons choosing first and taking Alexandre Sarr, a PF/C who currently plays in the NBL, where he is averaging 9.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and just over a block in 18.9 minutes per game. The 18 year old is projected as an elite defender who can protect the rim and switch on the perimeter.
Alex Sarr covers ground as well as any player in this class, rotating seamlessly for weakside blocks with his 7-5 wingspan and impressive timing, showing superb mobility switching, recovering and contesting jumpers all over the floor. pic.twitter.com/mxtnru2HOY
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) November 30, 2023
He has a soft shooting touch for a 7-footer but it hasn't translated to results yet, as he is shooting just 49 percent from the floor, 28 percent from 3-point range on limited attempts and just 57 percent from the line.
So he's a big-time project on offense who could make an immediate defensive impact. Of course, fans would not be happy grabbing yet another big man who can't shoot. Even if the Pistons dump James Wiseman at the end of the season, they will still have three centers (sorry, Isaiah Stewart is a center masquerading as a power forward) and a complete lack of two-way wing players, which is by far their biggest weakness.
It's possible the Pistons would go in another direction or trade the pick (my choice) but if they add another center to this roster fans won't know whether to laugh or cry. But it gets worse.
The Pistons draft Oso Ighodaro with the 32nd pick
The Pistons will also have a pick near the top of the 2nd round unless the Wizards start winning, and Bleacher Report had them taking Oso Ighodaro, who is....wait for it.... a CENTER! The senior not only doesn't make 3-point shots, he doesn't even shoot them, as he hasn't taken a single attempt from long range this season.
He is known as a playmaker who can work from the elbow, but he only averages 2.1 assists per game so we aren't talking Nikola Jokic here.
As much as fans have joked about Troy Weaver's love of centers, it's hard to imagine him drafting two more of them (if he is the one doing the drafting) when the Pistons need so much help at forward. But given what we've seen over the last few years, I wouldn't rule it out.