Pistons Keeping Options Open for 2015 NBA Draft
By Zac Snyder
The Detroit Pistons have two major needs as they prepare for the 2015 NBA Draft. The most clear need is at small forward where a big hole already exists, with power forward becoming a bigger need if Greg Monroe does not re-sign.
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As Detroit Jock City’s Jon LeBlanc discussed recently, the mix of players that figure to be available for the Pistons in the draft and free agency are such that it would appear natural to address the small forward position in the draft and look to free agency to fill a void if Greg Monroe’s days with the Pistons are done.
The betting odds for the position the Pistons decide on with the eighth overall pick in this year’s draft would be heavy for a forward of some sort. However, the Pistons don’t have that kind of tunnel vision as they evaluate their options.
Stan Van Gundy indicated a shooting guard could be in the mix as well in a recent radio interview. Via the Pistons official website:
"There’s five wing players, all could be small forwards … who all could be very helpful, very talented young guys. And then there’s probably one big guy and a couple of guards, couple of two guards, that we’d target in there, I think."
That is an interesting development considering the current roster needs and the fact that Kentavious Caldwell-Pope started to realize his potential last season. Even more, Jodie Meeks was one of the team’s foculpoints during last year’s free agency period. A strong case could be made that shooting guard is currently the team’s strongest position.
Van Gundy may be the most candid head coach in the NBA so there is no reason to believe his comments about a shooting guard is a smoke screen. We are about four weeks from finding out what happens for sure, but while Van Gundy’s comments put a shooting guard in play, it would still be a surprise if the pick ended up being anything but a forward.
Next: NBA Mock Draft 2015: Pistons Dream Scenario