The Pistons were looking to add depth at the wing spots and got two players who will compete for minutes next season, Keith Langlois of Pistons.com writes. Detroit didn’t have a first-round pick but traded away two future second-rounders to the Sixers to nab Creighton’s Khyri Thomas at No. 38, then chose Bruce Brown of Miami (Fla.) four picks later with their own selection.
“You never know how the draft’s going to go,” senior advisor Ed Stefanski said. “It didn’t look like we were going to be able to move like we did. People were asking for some big asks, but as the night went on it got much better and we were able to make the move. … We need some young guys, especially, to play that position.”
Stanley Johnson, Reggie Bullock and Luke Kennard are projected to eat up most of the minutes at those spots but Thomas and Brown could get into the mix if an injury strikes.
In other news regarding the Pistons:
- Stefanski notified the team’s scouting department that their contracts would not be renewed at the end of the month, Jake Fischer of Sports Illustrated tweets. The team’s front office is undergoing a complete makeover after head coach and president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy and GM Jeff Bower were dismissed. The team is still seeking one or more young executives to take front office roles. Spurs executive Malik Rose has been offered a front office job. New head coach Dwane Casey is in the process of building his staff. The team reached an agreement with Bucks assistant Sean Sweeney to join its staff.
- Top players Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson were asked for their input when owner Tom Gores was conducting the coaching search, Langlois writes in a separate piece. “I did consult with them, (though) they weren’t making the decision,” Gores said. “I texted Reggie, Andre, Blake. ‘What kind of coach do you want? Let’s check the boxes.’ I did engage with them. I know them pretty well. Meeting Dwane, he really did check all those boxes.”
- Bruce Brown underwent season-ending foot surgery in his final season with the Hurricanes but he has no restrictions this offseason, as he told Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press and other media members. “I’m good to go,” Brown said. “I’m fully cleared. All my medicals look fine at the combine so I’m ready to go 100 percent.”
Links errors. Wrong Bruce Brown, and all the pros are showing college stats.
Feel sorry for Blake to be stuck there man, he never chose it, I am sure if he had known Clippers were to trade him, he wouldn’t had signed, he is such a good player when healthy but man playing in Detroit…
You speak as if Detroit is a bad franchise. Those three titles are tied for 6th in NBA history. Detroit is in a drought yes but could certainly turn it around. Prior to Detroit, Blake played for one of the worst and most corrupt franchises in the history of sports!
Don’t feel sorry for Blake. He has big limitations and is no way worth what he will be paid. Why do you think jerry west got rid of him as soon as he got there? He can dunk but can’t shoot. I think Stan knew he would get fired and that was his going away present. Pistons are screwed.
I like the prospects drafted– IDK why they weren’t drafted earlier. But Bullock and Kennard had good years. They need to trade Stanley Johnson ASAP if he still has value.