Pistons draft: Unique French prospect should not be overlooked
Everything is on the table when it comes to the Detroit Pistons and the 2024 NBA Draft.
There has been widespread speculation that the Pistons could trade the pick for a proven player, but with no decision-maker in place, speculating is all we can do when it comes to how the roster will be shaped by the draft, trades and free agency.
There is a chance the Pistons will just keep the pick regardless of where it falls, which will be no lower than 5th after they finished with the worst record in the NBA for the second straight season.
dark. Related Story. Grade the trade: Proposal has Pistons moving two young players. Grade the trade: Proposal has Pistons moving two young players
A recent mock draft had the Pistons selecting Alex Sarr with the #1 pick, but what if they drop to 5th? Or trade back in the lottery to pick up an asset? There is one unique French prospect who should not be overlooked if the Pistons do fall out of the top four.
Detroit Pistons draft: Tidjan Salaun
Salaun is a 6-foot-10 wing player out of France who can do a little bit of everything. He can put the ball on the floor, hit 3-point shots off the bounce or catch-and-shoot and is a crafty defender who can handle the ball in transition off steals.
He recently declared for the 2024 NBA Draft and is a guy who we could see rising up draft boards after an impressive performance this season for Cholet in the French league.
Salaun played 30 games this season averaging 9.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 22 minutes per game as an 18-year-old. He’ll still be 18 at the time of the draft. His shooting numbers weren’t great, as he shot just 38 percent overall but 35 percent from long range on 4.2 attempts per game, intriguing numbers for a guy his size.
As you can see in this clip, he has a smooth shooting motion and unlimited range that will only get better as he improves. He’s strong for someone his age and could fill out to be a player similar to Michael Porter Jr. In Denver.
Salaun has made 75 3s this season, often pulling up off the dribble or running off movement, which is intriguing to scouts at 6'10. He's a highly competitive defender who shows versatility covering ground all over the floor with his long wingspan and outstanding intensity level. https://t.co/RAuHz17iS1 pic.twitter.com/0uQdefE72X
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 25, 2024
The Pistons could use someone of that skillset and Salaun has as high an upside of anyone in the draft given his size and ability to shoot the ball from long range. He’d be an interesting prospect for the Pistons if they were to fall out of the top four or end up trading back in the lottery.
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