By now, everyone has been told a million times how “weak” and “wide open” the 2024 NBA Draft is, but that doesn’t mean the Detroit Pistons can’t find a talent.
Whether they go for a high ceiling unknown or a guy with a high floor who fills a need, the Pistons either have to walk away from the draft with a future rotation player or trade the pick for a more proven one.
With the NBA Draft Lottery less than a week away, we will soon see if the Pistons’ dismal season pays off in the form of a top draft pick, but no matter what, the Pistons will choose in the top five, so here is our big board top five for the Pistons as of right now.
NBA Draft big board top 5 for the Detroit Pistons
#5: Dalton Knecht
Knecht would fall into the high floor category as a guy who can get buckets and should be able to at the next level.
We know he can shoot from all over, so the questions that remain are whether he can defend enough to stay on the floor and whether his shooting will eventually translate to a more dynamic offensive game than just standing in the corner shooting 3’s.
I’m not suggesting the Pistons should draft Knecht if they get the 5th pick, as they might be able to trade back, pick up an asset and get him anyway, but he has a skillset they need and is one of the only plug-and-play prospects in this draft.
His shooting is a fit next to Cade Cunningham right away, almost as if they’d be getting a young version of Bojan Bogdanovic. Even though Knecht may never be a superstar, I do think a lot of fans would be happy with this pick just because he has a translatable skill and they’ve at least seen the guy play, unlike so many players in this draft.
#4: Matas Buzelis
Buzelis falls much more into the “high-ceiling flyer” category, as he has all of the tools, but is still very young and put up mediocre stats on a terrible G-League team last season.
But any player who is 6-foot-10 and has the potential to be a shooter is going to create some intrigue and Buzelis falls into that category.
Buzelis will likely play much more off the ball in the NBA, and he’s a good connective passer with a smooth 3-point stroke that should eventually translate. He may never be a first option, but he’s a guy who can connect an offense, get his own shot and shoot off the catch.
Buzelis fits into the same category as big wings like Franz Wagner or Michael Porter Jr, who can get shots in a number of ways and offer enough size and length on defense to be a problem.
#3: Zaccharie Risacher
Another two-way wing with potential, Risacher has at times been mocked as the number one pick in the draft and it could end up going that way depending on who gets the pick.
Risacher has many of the same strengths as Buzelis as a big wing who can handle the ball and has an advanced feel on offense.
He can get his own shot even though he’s not the quickest and he’s also a very good passer who will keep the ball moving if it’s not there.
Teams are going to be after two-way wings and skilled bigs for the foreseeable future and Risacher could be a nice one. His recent 3-point shooting slump is somewhat concerning but the skills and size are there, and the Pistons need a guy who can create and score on the wing.
#2: Stephon Castle
Another guard? Another guy who can’t shoot? Are you nuts?
Yes. Maybe. But when I look at how teams like the Knicks and Timberwolves have built around strong rim protection and perimeter defense, it gives me hope for the Pistons.
Castle must improve his 3-point shooting (he’s 19), but he has everything else, including elite perimeter defense, a bit of attitude, toughness and a winning resume, all things the Pistons need.
Watching the Timberwolves perimeter defenders absolutely hounding Denver last night, it made me think of what Ausar Thompson and Castle would be like. Everyone mocked the Gobert trade (including me) but it’s now pretty clear Tim Connelly had a plan, which was to build his team around Ant and defense with rim protectors and big wings that get after it on that end.
I wouldn’t mind if the Pistons did the same with Cade Cunningham, and Castle would be a great running mate who can take the tough defensive assignments, guard all over the court and bring some toughness and swagger to a team completely lacking in both.
#1: Alex Sarr
After watching how Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren immediately impacted their teams with defense, there is an argument the Pistons should go the same route by selecting a versatile big with a high defensive ceiling.
Sarr is not in the same tier of prospect as the two mentioned above, but he’s a legit 7-footer who moves like a wing and will at least be a good defender in the NBA and potentially much more if his offensive game continues to develop.
The Pistons need a defensive anchor on the interior and Sarr has a chance to be that, as he is already a very good shot blocker with active hands, quick feet and a nose for the ball.
Big men in the modern NBA need to be able to protect the rim and/or shoot from range to spread the floor and Sarr has the potential to do both.
Even if it meant trading Jalen Duren, the Pistons should probably just go with Sarr if they do get the first pick and figure things out later.
I’d be ok if the Pistons leaned into defense in this draft, as it is still what consistently wins games, ask Minnesota, who are up 2-0 on the champs with two elite offensive players and a whole bunch of defenders.