Draft targets for the Detroit Pistons if they trade back

Kyle Filipowski, 7’0 Duke

Kyle Filipowski has made a name for himself at Duke doing what so many others before him have done; Being a college basketball villain. There was plenty to discuss when Kyle and Duke were at the forefront of the storming courts debate after Filipowski was “injured” during one. I put ‘injured’ in quotes because, true to his villain nature, Kyle seemed to make a miraculous recovery and led the Blue Devils, once again, deep into March. 

Regardless of how you feel about the Duke villain, Kyle is a 7-foot center who has improved his game each of his two years at Duke. He’s become a reliable ball handler, post threat, and now can effectively stretch the floor. Every team in the NBA is looking for their floor-stretching unicorn, and Filipowski may be that for someone. This past season, he averaged 16.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.6 stocks per night with a 5.7 block percentage. On top of that, this past year Kyle hit almost 35 percent of his 3.1 three point attempts per game. These are great numbers, but to go top five is too rich. If Detroit were to swing a trade with, say Portland, who is rumored to want to move up, at 14, then we’re talking. That’s great offensive production, paired with good to great rim protection? Sign me up.