The Detroit Pistons are hoping that the fate of their franchise changes tomorrow at the NBA Draft Lottery.
They missed that opportunity last year with generational prospect Victor Wembanyama, as the Pistons fell to the 5th pick, choosing wing Ausar Thompson.
Will it happen again? Or will the Pistons get “lucky” in a draft without a clear #1 pick? Here is everything you need to know ahead of tomorrow’s carnival of hope.
When is the NBA Draft Lottery?
The NBA Draft Lottery will be held tomorrow, May 12th at 3PM ET ahead of the Knicks vs. Pacers in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
How to watch the NBA Draft Lottery
You can watch the NBA Draft Lottery on ABC. It will also be streamed live on NBA League Pass.
What are the Detroit Pistons odds in the NBA Draft Lottery?
The Pistons and Wizards both have a 14 percent chance of landing the number one pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
The Pistons have a 13.4 percent chance for the 2nd pick, 12.7 percent for the 3rd, 12 percent for the 4th and a 47.9 percent chance of falling to the 5th pick for the second straight year.
Who will represent the Pistons at the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery?
According to Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press, Ausar Thompson will represent the Pistons at the draft lottery this year.
Hearing Ausar Thompson will represent the Pistons at Sunday’s lottery
— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) May 10, 2024
Let’s hope that Ausar brings lucky vibes and not 5th pick vibes, as Detroit could use something positive in an offseason that has been dominated by chaos and speculation about the front office and coaching staff.
How many times have the Pistons had the #1 pick?
The Detroit Pistons had the #1 pick in the draft three times in franchise history. The first time was in 1967 when they selected Jimmy Walker. The 2nd was just three years later in 1970, when they selected Pistons’ legend Bob Lanier. Then you have to fast forward all the way to 2021, when the Pistons finally got lucky again and selected Cade Cunningham.
They have had the 2nd pick on six different occasions with wildly varying results, as they landed legends like Bailey Howell, Dave Bing and Isiah Thomas but also took Darko Milicic instead of one of many Hall of Famers around him.
Who are the Pistons top targets in the NBA Draft?
It’s hard to answer this question until we know who will be making the decisions, but just on paper, players like Alex Sarr, Zaccharie Risacher, Matas Buzelis, Stephon Castle, Cody Williams and Reed Sheppard will likely be on their big board.