If there is one thing the Detroit Pistons have loved in the Troy Weaver era, it's draft busts.
On one hand, the strategy of taking low-cost, low-risk flyers on guys who were once lottery picks is a smart one. On the other, it has yet to really work, as Marvin Bagley III has probably been the best of the lot and he is overpaid and currently benched in favor of another draft bust, James Wiseman.
Dennis Smith Jr, Josh Jackson, Kevin Knox (twice) and RJ Hampton have all passed through town to go along with MBIII and Wiseman, who were both the 2nd picks in their respective drafts.
What once seemed like a decent strategy for a rebuilding team now just seems like a waste of time, roster and cap space, as it hasn't worked and the Pistons have $25 million wrapped up in two backup centers to show for it.
But I definitley wouldn't be surprised if it happened again and there are three players in particular who look like potential Troy Weaver targ
3 draft busts who are destined to be Detroit Pistons
Patrick Williams: Chicago Bulls
I've written about Williams as a possibility already but he kind of sort of fits what the Pistons need as a forward who has shown he can shoot and defend a little. He checks all of the boxes for Troy Weaver, as he is a bust from his favorite draft (2020) who Weaver was reportedly high on entering the draft. In fact, had Williams dropped he'd probably be a Piston instead of Killian Hayes, but why have two top-10 busts from the same draft when you can have three?
Isaac Okoro: Cleveland Cavaliers
Why not just collect all of the draft busts from 2020? Imagine a lineup with Killian Hayes, Isaiah Stewart, Isaac Okoro, Patrick Williams and James Wiseman! Ok, don't imagine that, and let's hope Weaver isn't either. Okoro is a good defender but can't shoot and the Pistons have enough one-way players right now.
Ziaire Williams: Memphis Grizzlies
Williams is not from the 2020 draft, so won't hold as much value for Troy Weaver, but he is the best option of these three as a forward with size who has shown some two-way potential. His 3-point shooting has improved immensely this season but still has a long way to go.
Don't be surprised when one of these three players is a trade deadline acquistion with the smart money being on Patrick Williams.