The Pistons can be reasonably certain about five prospects who won’t drop to them at the No. 7 overall pick, according to Keith Langlois of Pistons.com. From the way the draft is shaping up, Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman, LaMelo Ball, Obi Toppin and Deni Avdija — in no particular order — will be off the board. The player that Detroit drafts could be predicated by which player goes at the No. 6 pick, which the Hawks currently own. Although the Pistons are open to trading up or down, those deals are difficult to pull off for teams picking in the middle of the lottery, Langlois adds.
We have more from the Central Division:
- While Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s decision on whether to sign an extension looms over the Bucks franchise, Milwaukee has several other issues to ponder this offseason and it seeks ways to advance deeper into the playoffs. The Athletic’s Danny Leroux takes a look at the team’s cap and roster situation and concludes that the front office will be seeking depth players and young talent in free agency and potential trades. Retaining Wesley Matthews, who is likely to decline his $2.69MM option, is another priority, Leroux adds.
- Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas should try his best to trade down in the draft, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago opines. With Edwards, Wiseman and Ball likely to go in the first three picks, the Bulls are in a pivotal position at No. 4. If another team covets a player at that spot, they could pick up another asset or two in a trade. With the likelihood of having 12 guaranteed contracts along with decisions to make on three restricted free agents, Chicago also has roster issues to consider, Johnson adds.
- Toppin appears to be high on the Cavaliers’ draft board. Get the details here.
Wiseman will be the best player from this draft. He has the best combo of tools.
I’ll take the field in that bet.
Bulls will pick Avdija if the other 3 are gone. Then Porter becomes a trade asset as long as he doesn’t pull a Boozer and break his arm in the offseason.
Porter is only valuable as an expiring contract. So they can get a 1st+ and a bad contract. Maybe a Horford landing spot.
Not a bad thought there. The Bulls aren’t really doing much when it comes to putting together a competitive team or even a team that might be competitive in the future. They might as well just turn into a dumping ground for bad contracts.
Bucks losing Matthews is okay, I feel Divincenzo is ready to break out. I hope he is working on his three point shot, though. Matthews was just average from 3. Additionally, if the Bucks are going to bring in a better shooting SG it will clear out a redundant player.
The Michael Jordan of Delaware will show up soon enough.
If I am the Pistons. Iwould be willing to absord someof Porters money for this year on a sweetheart deal. A healthy porter to me is better than anyone they have a chance at signing with the exception of C. Wood.
Josh Jackson at vet minimum. He’s not Porter, but he’d be far more bang for the buck.
I agree! I thought abt that too. Could be a nice risk like Wood was if he is ready to get his head in the game.
With the pistons selection at 7 and them naming 5 players. I’d probably say Tyrese Haliburton is probably the other player gone either him or Onyeka Okungwu.
Pistons should be selecting from 3 players really, Haliburton, Okungwu and Cole Anthony
Killian Hayes to me is a better prospect than Haliburton.
Nah I’d rather Haliburton and scouts around the league have been saying Haliburton is the best passer in the class.
The kids 20, 6’5 and averaged 15-6-6.5 while getting 2.5 steals a game too.
So he can pass really well, has great size, plays defence and his shooting is actually alright too.
I hope he ends up on a team that doesn’t expect huge results straight away, he’s going to take time to adjust, would be solid for the pistons
Better than waiting on Rodney “Young 50” Stuckey
Great nickname
I’m being kind of mean to both Fittycent and Stuckey but I associate him with the no-longer-champion generation that the Pistons are still stuck in.
I personally think the Pistons go with Killian Hayes, obviously depending on what is on the board. If not, it may make sense to trade down a bit, and grab one of the wings
A bad contract does not mean a bad player to the team “stuck” with him. (If he has a full year lol)
5 straight years of plus on/offs and 15 plus PERs… and a good record of being healthy UNTIL 17 Bulls games.
The new Bulls FO should reconsider the negative opinion until the season has been underway. How to gauge his worthiness if he’s not out there and nobody likes the HC anyway?
Otto Porter