The biggest loser during the draft lottery was the Pistons. After finishing with the worst record, they entered the lottery at the top of the list. They slid all the way down to the No. 5 spot after the lottery was conducted.
The Pistons under general manager Troy Weaver are at a crossroads. The roster has been totally revamped since Weaver, who is never hesitant to wheel and deal, took over. There are lots of young players dotting the roster but it’s uncertain just how well those pieces fit.
Detroit should be significantly better next season just based on the fact it will have 2021 No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham back in action. Cunningham missed virtually the entire season due to shin surgery.
The Pistons’ 2022 lottery picks, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren, showed plenty of promise in their rookie campaign. Certainly, the team is excited by the prospect of Ivey and Cunningham playing together a full season with 2020 lottery pick Killian Hayes backing them up.
Detroit acquired Marvin Bagley and James Wiseman – No. 2 overall picks who were busts with their original teams – over the past two seasons. The Pistons also have two highly valued veterans in Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks.
The franchise has to show major improvement next season to justify all the years of rebuilding. With the Pistons owing the Knicks a first-rounder, this could be the last time Detroit has a lottery pick in the near future.
There are a number of prospects to choose from at the No. 5 pick. Brandon Miller could theoretically slide down that far, though it’s a long shot. More likely, wings such as Cam Whitmore, Ausar Thompson and Anthony Black will be in play at that spot.
Weaver could shift gears and try to trade down in – or even out of – the first round for veteran help to give the Pistons a fighting chance to at least make the play-in tournament next season.
So what should the Pistons do with their first-rounder? Vote in our poll, then head to the comment section below to weigh in!
Pistons have a fairly easy choice to make at 5. They should run to the podium & draft Cam Whitmore if Houston doesn’t take him at 4. He’s everything that Stanley Johnson was supposed to be
I don’t think it’s that easy. Normally I’m an advocate of drafting for talent over need, however I don’t think there’s a lot of talent drop off between Cam Whitmore, Jarace Walker, Ausar Thompson and Keyonte George. Since the Pistons have a good young SG in Ivey I’d go with a position of need and take Walker with the 5th pick. Like Whitmore he can score but he’s better at creating his own shot and versatile on both ends of the court as I think he can guard 1-5.
Walker is a 6’7 240 undersized tweener PF. They don’t need a PF. He is right they need a SF. Miller or Whitemore is what they need.
This could be an interesting landing spot for Fred Vanvleet…Raptors would listen
What are you talking about lol. No
Hold on to it and draft Cam Whitmore!! Unless the veteran they are acquiring via trade is Mikal Bridges. But I don’t think the Nets will be willing to move him until they’ve lost a bunch of games before next seasons trade deadline. So I say, draft Cam Whitmore at 5. Trade Bogdanovic and the 31st pick to the Knicks for the future heavily protected first round pick the Pistons owe them. This would free up the ability for the Pistons to offer multiple future first round picks (say 2 unprotected 1st round picks in 2024 and 2026 plus Marvin Bagley and Killian Hayes) trade that package to the Nets for Mikal Bridges. Hopefully that’s enough to get the Nets to budge. And then take part of tge large volume of ample cap space left over and sign De’Andre Hunter away from the Hawks in restricted free agency or maybe Kyle Kuzma away from D.C. Maybe you resign Jerami Grant if you can get him to buy in on settling for a 3 and D stretch 4 role and get him to quit being such a ball stop and get back to playing winning basketball instead of worrying about getting his stats every night. He really could be so much more valuable to teams if he would just play the role that Denver had him in before he came to the Pistons. He’s not super inefficient, and he’s not a horrible isolation scorer or passer, but he just does everything so SLOW. If he was a threat to score 16 points a game in a spot up 3 point shooter role and then use the rest of his energy on actual tight wing defense with a real sense of urgency.. he would be so much more valuable to winning basketball. But anyway, even though we slid from 1st to 5th in tge draft lottery,I’m still glad there are a few players worth picking at that spot with real upside and that Troy has lots of cap space to work with. Many fans are already forgetting how much he manhandled that draft last off-season. Let’s let him cook over these next couple of months before we start over reacting to missing out on Wembanyama after another season of tanking. Troy might still have a few moves up his sleeve. Bogdanovic is certainly one of them. Now if we could just get a respectable head coach. Or any head coach? Do we offer Monty MORE money? Would being the highest paid head coach in the league get Jay Wright away from Villanova and into the NBA ranks? I could get behind either of those scenarios.
You realize Jay Wright isn’t at Villanova, right?
Whitmore is a solid pick. But I see Hendricks as a solid pick for them too. Also if Amen slides to 5. I take him. It’s Amen, Whitmore, Hendricks in that order. ( it’s what I think they will do)
I’d like to see Knicks buy a pick or trade into 1st rd. Jackson a PF from South Carolina. Could be there 16-22. Very young big potential.
Hold on to it and draft Cam Whitmore!! Unless the veteran they are acquiring via trade is Mikal Bridges. But I don’t think the Nets are going to be willing to move him until they’ve lost a bunch of games before next seasons trade deadline. So I say, draft Cam Whitmore at 5. Trade Bogdanovic and the 31st pick to the Knicks for the heavily protected future first round pick the Pistons owe them. This would free up the ability for the Pistons to offer multiple future first round picks (say 2 unprotected 1st round picks, 1 in 2024 and 1 in 2026, plus Marvin Bagley and Killian Hayes) – trade that package to the Nets for Mikal Bridges. Hopefully that’s enough to get the Nets to budge. And then take part of the large volume of ample cap space left over and sign De’Andre Hunter away from the Hawks in restricted free agency or maybe Kyle Kuzma away from D.C. – Maybe you sign Jerami Grant again, if you can get him to buy in on settling for a 3 and D stretch 4 role, and get him to quit being such a ball stop and get back to playing winning basketball instead of worrying about getting his stats every night. He really could be so much more valuable to teams if he would just play the role that Denver had him in before he came to the Pistons. He’s not super inefficient, and he’s not a horrible isolation scorer or passer, but he just does everything so SLOW. If he was a threat to score 16 points a game in a spot up 3 point shooter role and then use the rest of his energy on actual tight wing defense with a real sense of urgency.. he would be so much more valuable to winning basketball. But anyway, even though we slid from 1st to 5th in the draft lottery,I’m still glad there are a few players worth picking at that spot with real upside and that Troy has lots of cap space to work with. Many fans are already forgetting how much he manhandled that draft last off-season. Let’s let him cook over these next couple of months before we start over reacting to missing out on Wembanyama after another season of tanking. Troy might still have a few moves up his sleeve. Bogdanovic is certainly one of them. Now if we could just get a respectable head coach. Or any head coach? Do we offer Monty MORE money? Would being the highest paid head coach in the league get Jay Wright away from Villanova and into the NBA ranks? I could get behind either of those scenarios.
Take some time and learn about paragraphs.
Trade the 5th pick, future picks and Bogdon to blazers or Charlotte for their pick and contract matching and draft Miller. If not then draft Whitemore. Play Duren at PF and trade Bagley for a backup center.
Not at all the type of trade Portland is looking for.
Portland is not trading their pick for Bogdanovich, and picks if they are only trading to improve the roster to keep Lillard?
Not seeing a lot of traction with Portland, and a trade like that.
Charlotte is possible, but I think they are looking to get out of the old fella business, but maybe they would take on vet salary for future draft compensation?
I appreciate you responding to me
Draymond will opt in at GSW and you should try work out a deal for him with Bogdan, Bagley and the 31st overall pick.
Not a stat sheet stuffer but a great culture builder, leader and will drive your team to victory more often than not. Returning home after a poor season he will have a chip on his shoulder and more so, after the Poole incident will want to prove himself as a leader to the young players in particular.
After that, I probably trade back from 5 to around that 10 area and look to take Jett Howard from Michigan.
And in FA, let both Burks and Diallo walk. Then really try go for Miles Bridges originally born and raised in Michigan too.
Thus putting together this young and tough team now trying to win but also with a bunch of hometown hero’s that’ll want it even more.
Cunningham Ivey Bridges Green Duren
Hayes Howard … Stewart Wiseman
Hampton Livers
Cunningham will learn a bunch from Green as a playmaker and ball handler. Ivey can thrive off the extra playmaking. Bridges also will get feed good looks and will want to do well upon returning to the league and returning home. Then lastly you have Duren just locking in down at centre. He will also learn a lot from Green defensively and will thrive from the extra playmaker on the court.
I don’t rate Hayes at all but it looks like management love him. Howard is a home town kid, but even more so than that he’s a terrific shooter and this team will need him to fire. I also still have question marks over to double bigs but I think these two could make it work. Both have an ability to space the floor and quick enough feet to guard most forwards.
Did…Did you just call Draymond Green a “culture builder?” Sucker-punching Draymond Green? Overpaid, sucker-punching Draymond Green?
Wow. I’ve seen some goofy statements on the internet on a variety of topics that have caught me off-guard before. But this one surprised me, not gonna lie.
no surprise they ended up 5th. almost 50% chance to get that spot compared to around 14% 1-4. you dont want the worst record anymore.
Because silver will punish you
I am not a big fan of Cam Whitmore to the Pistons. He will compete for too many touches with Cunningham and Ivey. Whitmore is not a got connector guy, could be an explosive scorer though. He could be a good defender but that is only if he shows improved effort. The other athletic wings were better defenders last year.
I would trade back with the Jazz for #9 and 16 or #9 and a future unprotected #1 (from Cavs or TWolves).
Take the best available from Hendricks, Black, Ausur Thompson, or Anthony Black. All will be better defenders and would be better fits with the young Pistons backcourt.