The Detroit Pistons can't squander their best asset

The Detroit Pistons' asset management has been questionable under GM Troy Weaver and Tom Gores must make certain that his basketball team doesn’t squander any more of them.

Our beloved Detroit Pistons have the worst record in the NBA, although it’s a little closer than you might think. Detroit is 8-46, the Washington Wizards are 9-45, and the already incredibly blessed San Antonio Spurs are 11-44.

This draft isn’t one of those drafts where it’s worth tanking for a chance at top pick and we've seen that doesn't work anyway, as there is only a 14 percent chance even if you have the worst record.

Somewhat sadly, it’s far from it. Squint your eyes tightly together – or grab a telescope, if you wish – and you’re simply not going to spot a unicorn. There isn’t a Victor Wembanyama or a LeBron James.  

There are good players in every draft, and there will be in this one, but without a consensus guy, it will be even more of a crapshoot than usual.

The Detroit Pistons 2024 draft pick needs to be a home run

What there is, is a whole lot of potential for disaster.

Despite the record-breaking losing streak, and the fact that this team has a lowly win percentage of .247 since the beginning of the 2019-’20 season, I do believe that the core Troy Weaver has assembled will become a force to reckon with. His selections of Cade Cunningham (1st in 2021), Jaden Ivey (5th in 2022), Ausar Thompson (5th in 2023), and of course, Jalen Duren, who was taken by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th pick in 2022 and then acquired by the Pistons in a trade, will eventually win a lot of games together.

However, there is a caveat to my belief, and that’s that the Pistons’ brass cannot afford to squander any of their assets. Period. General Manager Troy Weaver’s track record in the draft is solid, with only the selection of Killian Hayes being an obvious blunder. Hayes was the first pick Weaver made on behalf of the Pistons when he nabbed the Frenchman with the 7th pick of the 2020 draft.

Those who care to give Weaver a pass for that pick may argue that he had only been on the job for a week, but I don’t care to be so forgiving. That was a glaring mistake which has been echoing loudly since long before Hayes was released last week. Weaver simply cannot afford to whiff so badly again.

The Pistons are in a precarious position at best and absolutely must maximize the value of their every resource. Whether they use this pick in the draft or trade it, this asset cannot be squandered, as it's their best chance to add an impact player this offseason.