The Detroit Pistons can go many different ways in this year’s upcoming NBA Draft. Many of the top prospects hail out of international leagues, and even more options out of the G-League make up the rest of the top 5-10.
There sometimes is a lack of information on these prospects due to the stark difference in air time they get compared to college players. So, to help those who are unable/uninterested in watching G-League games, or international leagues, here are a few guys that Detroit could target in this year’s draft in both the first and second rounds.
more in depth look at the options for Detroit with their expected draft pick later in the offseason.
In addition to these higher level breakdowns, we will be doing a more in depth look at the options for Detroit with their expected draft pick later in the offseason.
Top international prospects for the Detroit Pistons in the 2024 NBA Draft
Alex Sarr, 7’1" PF, Perth
Strengths
- Length/Size
- Shooting Form/Potential
- Switchability
Weaknesses
- Efficiency away from the basket
- Physicality
- Strength
Summary of Sarr
Alex Sarr has been the odds on favorite to go number one overall for quite some time now even though he has dropped in some of the recent power rankings.
The 7-foot-1 power forward out of France has the unique size that is currently a hot commodity in the NBA. Sarr is built in the same mold as recent top overall draft picks Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren and Jaren Jackson Jr. The unicorn-like versatility that Alex will bring with him to the NBA should be coveted by almost every team. His speed and movement is that of a wing, and his shooting form is clean and promising. It’s expected that he will develop into a big who can play away from the basket at the next level, but his numbers haven’t reflected that as of yet.
The largest downside to Alex Sarr, is that his potential and size, especially on the offensive end, are his biggest attribute. Meaning as a prospect, he is very intriguing, but he has yet to put it all together at this point. His defense reflects his potential thanks to his size, but offensively, Sarr’s abilities are essentially strictly based on potential. The tangibles are worth the risk in Sarr’s case, however.
Zaccharie Risacher, 6’9" SF/PF, JL Bourg
Strengths
- Shooting
- Quick Hands on Defense
- Passing IQ
Weaknesses
- Consistency
- Overall Athleticism
- On-Ball Offense
Summary of Risacher
Zaccharie Risacher is a prototypical 3/4 prospect coming to the draft by way of the NBL. While he, like everyone else in this draft, doesn’t have the ceiling that prospects in previous drafts had, his floor is extremely high, making him a good choice for Detroit’s first selection.
Risacher is known as one of the best shooters in all of Europe with a career three point percentage of 42 percent. His passing and understanding of the game is great for his age as well. Standing 6-foot-8, Risacher is extremely switchable on the defensive end, while also having quick hands to disrupt opponents driving in the lane. Zaccharie, at his worst, gives NBA teams a tall 3-and-D option similar to Jerami Grant, Franz Wagner, or maybe Trey Murphy.
If Risacher is to maximize his potential, he will need to work on creating a shot for himself and his on-ball abilities. With Detroit, however, this wouldn’t be an issue as he would likely be asked to play off-ball and work off of Cade and Ivey, something he would do great.
Matas Buzelis, 6’10" SF, G-League Ignite
Strengths
- Size
- Smooth with the Ball
- Overall Scorer
- Decent Shooting Mechanics
Weaknesses
- Wingspan Compared to his Height
- Three Point Consistency
- Strength
Summary of Matas
At this time Matas Buzelis is projected to go closer to fifth overall rather than one or two. So, in order for Detroit to wind up with Buzelis, they would need to have fallen in the Draft Lottery. Matas would not be a terrible consolation prize if that were the case. Offensively, he’s a 6-foot-10 scoring wing that might not do anything at an elite level but does a lot of things well. His shooting from the perimeter has improved over this last year, and based on his mechanics and free throw shooting, shows signs it can improve even further. Matas looks under-control with the ball in his hands, and takes what the defense gives him in terms of driving to the basket, dishing it to a teammate, or pulling up for a mid-range jumper.
Even though he is 6-foot-10, his wingspan is lacking and his overall strength and mass must improve. Similar to another option on this list, Buzelis has a tendency to be pushed around in the paint, something that a stretch big cannot afford to do. Adding muscle and balance will go a long way in improving his rebounds and overall game.
Tidjane Salaun, 6’10" PF, Cholet Basket
Strengths
- Wingspan
- Perimeter Shooting
- Overall Creating Ability
- Athleticism and Lateral Movement
- Age
Weaknesses
- Shot Selection
- Ball Handling
- Low Assist Rate
Summary of Tidjane
One player who is beginning to jump up draft boards is Tidjane Salaun out of France. Tidjane is a 6-foot-9 power forward who plays similar to Obi Toppin or Michael Porter Jr. The big pull for Tidjane is his athleticism and shooting ability. He is connecting on 40 percent of his three point shots to date, and his shooting mechanics are quick and fluid. Outside of his shooting, Salaun’s creation/lateral movement help him tremendously in the transition game.
Tidjane is slated to be one of, if not the, youngest players in this upcoming draft. He will still be just 18 years old on draft night, and sometimes, he plays like it. His shot selection can sometimes be sporadic and questionable, he sometimes can struggle with rebounding and assists, putting more pressure on his shooting translating at the next level. Some of his actual production resembles that more of a project than a plug and play type player. Still, his raw athleticism, shooting and potential should give Detroit pause, in a good way, and take a deeper look.
Unlike Sarr and Risacher, Salaun is slated to go late in the first round. Detroit could bank on a fall into the second round for the PF, or trade back into the first, a move that Weaver has done before.
Bobi Klintman, 6’10" PF, Cairns Taipans
Strengths
- Size
- Guard-like Moving Ability
- Perimeter Shooting
- Good Hands
Weaknesses
- Struggles Around the Rim
- Lacks Explosive Speed
- Age
Summary of Bobi
Bobi Klintman played a season at Wake Forest, with mild production, before testing the NBA waters, and eventually transferring out and playing internationally for Carins Taipans in the NBL. There, he has begun to show some of his abilities that have GM’s talking. At 6-foot-10, Klintman has a big stretch four feel to him, similar to that of former Piston, Christian Wood. He moves extremely well for a 6-foot-10 forward, and can space the floor at the rate of 9.7 points and 35 percent from three. Because of his size, he is a defensive weapon. He’s beginning to learn to guard on the perimeter and alter shots away from the basket, or move with the defender slashing into the paint. He runs the floor well and can hold his own when it comes to dribbling.
It’s Bobi’s away from the basket play that is attractive to GM’s, but it’s also his downside. Klintman is clearly more comfortable outside the paint than inside. He will have to get stronger in the down low, both on defense and offense if NBA teams are to truly unlock his game. It’s thanks to these question marks that leaves Bobi possibly just outside the first round. Detroit could look at Klintman as a second selection this year. If the Pistons came away with Risacher and Klintman, that would be a very solid draft.