Detroit Pistons NBA Draft Needs
By Corey Young
April 15, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (1) blocks Philadelphia 76ers center Spencer Hawes (00) during the first quarter at The Palace. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
As the NBA draft looms and the soon to be draftees continue to work out privately and for teams let’s look at what the Detroit Pistons have realistically on their roster and what they realistically need. The Detroit Pistons have the number eight pick in the first round of the NBA draft. The Pistons also have the thirty-seventh and fifty-sixth in the second round. They also have front office decision to make in regards to Will Bynum, Rodney Stuckey, and Jose Calderon and their impending free agency.
Turnt Up Twins
The Pistons strengths are there two young big men in Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond. Monroe and Drummond are very young but can be the Turnt up Twins if they can continue to improve their game. A play happened in the preseason that left my mind wanting more. Monroe was at the top of the key and Drummond was on the left block when Stuckey was doubled teamed and passed the ball to Monroe and Monroe lobs the ball to Drummond for an alley-oop. One of the main reasons I think the Turnt up Twins could work in Detroit is Monroe is a willing and excellent passer. Monroe averages 16ppg with almost 10rpg and 3.5 apg and has a good mid-range jump shot making it easier and giving Drummond more space to operate in the post while he continues to work this offseason on his offensive game. Drummond is the younger of the two but averaged almost 8ppg with 8rpg and a block in just 20 minutes of action a night. This bodes well for the Turnt up Twins who can score, rebound, pass, and block shots. The team also includes Brandon Knight as the starting point guard who averages 13ppg and 4apg.
Draft Needs
This young nucleus is just what the Pistons need to enhance the talent on the roster and improve existing cohesion. The Detroit Pistons essentially need wing players with range who can score, we have the luxury of going after free agents or using one of three draft picks as need. The draft has players who fit the mold with several mock drafts having the Pistons taking Kentavious Caldwell-Pope out of Georgia with the eighth selection. He would give the Pistons a player who can stretch the defense causing defenders who are contemplating doubling down in the post to hesitate hence better floor spacing and wide open shots for the wing players. Also the Pistons could draft C.J. McCollum out of Lehigh. He is a combo guard who can score from any and everywhere and can play the point sometimes which would lessen the blow if Stuckey, Bynum, or Calderon left in free agency. A dark horse in the draft could be Anthony Bennett out of UNLV. Bennett is a combo forward with a good outside touch and very athletic but I still see him as an athletic four in the mold of a Josh Smith. As much as I love Smith’s game, when you have Monroe, Drummond, and Maxiell coming off the bench do you really want a logjam on the frontcourt when you need help on the wings and the backcourt.