National “Experts” Give Detroit Pistons Good Draft Grades
By Matt Snyder
Next-day draft grades aren’t something to take too seriously because drafts look drastically different when you look back on them after one, three, or five years. Remember 2003? The Pistons draft that netted Darko Milicic, Carlos Delfino, and Andres Gliniadakis? ESPN’s Chad Ford gave the Pistons an A+ (the only team to get the perfect grade). Here’s what he wrote immediately after that draft:
"How many teams with the best record in their conference end up with the best big man in the draft and a draft-night steal in Carlos Delfino?"
Darko’s only highlights in the NBA have been in his hair, and Carlos Delfino, while solid, has never really been much more than a role player.
But draft grades are part of the fun, so we’ll take a look at what some of the national experts are saying about the Pistons’ picks.
Round 1 (pick 8): Brandon Knight, G, Kentucky
Round 2 (pick 33): Kyle Singler, F, Duke
Round 2 (pick 52): Vernon Macklin, F, Florida
"Brandon Knight wasn’t the Pistons’ biggest need, but he was the best talent on the board when the Pistons selected and Joe Dumars didn’t hesitate to take him. I applaud that."
Matt Moore and Ben Golliver, CBS Sports: A
"Knight might not be as ready to lead a team as he thinks he is, but his raw intelligence, overall skillset and upside make him arguably the best value pick of the first round."
"Knight essentially fell into the Pistons’ laps at No. 8. Knight had been rumored to go as high as No. 3, or definitely No. 5, but perhaps No. 7 if he really slipped. Nuh uh. The Jazz took Enes Kanter at No. 3, the Raptors opted for Jonas Valanciunas at No. 5 and the Kings traded out of No. 7. That left Joe Dumars and Detroit staring the top guard in the draft in the face. Dumars did the smart thing and pocketed Knight."
Sam Amick, SI.com: (no grade, but Knight was rated 9.7 out of 10)
"The Pistons wanted to go big, with prospects like Biyombo and Thompson high on their board. But Knight wasn’t expected to fall and president Joe Dumars quickly jumped at the chance to add him to his backcourt. Knight’s presence will allow Rodney Stuckey to play off the ball like he should (assuming the restricted free agent returns). Dumars was believed to be considering Connecticut point guard Kemba Walker in this sort of scenario, but was able to nab Knight instead."
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