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NBA Mock Draft 2016: Detroit Pistons Get a Big

By Zac Snyder

Feb 13, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears forward Ivan Rabb (1) is called for a foul against Oregon State Beavers forward Tres Tinkle (3) during the second half at Haas Pavilion. The California Golden Bears defeated the Oregon State Beavers 83-71. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears forward Ivan Rabb (1) is called for a foul against Oregon State Beavers forward Tres Tinkle (3) during the second half at Haas Pavilion. The California Golden Bears defeated the Oregon State Beavers 83-71. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s NFL mock drafts that typically dominate this time of year but ESPN’s Chad Ford is out with a new NBA mock draft. He has a big for the Detroit Pistons.

The Detroit Pistons tried to trade away their first round draft pick in the 2016 NBA Draft (protected) to the Houston Rockets but had it returned to them when a failed physical voided the deal.

Considering the 2016 draft isn’t considered to be terribly deep and that adding another young player to an already young team isn’t really what the Pistons need to take the next step in their rebuild, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Pistons find another way to turn the pick into a different asset.

But until they do that, the Pistons will be penciled in to pick somewhere in the middle of the first round.

In a new mock draft for ESPN.com, Chad Ford has the Pistons adding a big man with the 14th overall pick: Cal freshman forward/center Ivan Rabb. Ford provides the following commentary with the pick:

"The Pistons are also caught in a very tight race for the Eastern Conference playoffs. If they fall short, they can add another young big with significant upside.Rabb has proved to be an effective rebounder and has added a nice midrange jumper to his game. He needs to get stronger, but I could see him as an Ed Davis-type player in the pros."

Reading Ford’s scouting report of Rabb broken into positives and negatives makes Andre Drummond come to mind. Drummond came in more physically ready but some of the skill-set notes are comparable:

"PositivesAthletic big manExcellent rebounder and shot-blockerStrong finisher at the rimSoft handsNegativesNeeds to add strengthNeeds more polish on his low-post movesStill quite raw offensively"

Drummond’s offensive game was raw in his first few NBA seasons but has emerged this year. The Pistons are set to sign him to a max contract this offseason so his future with the team is not in doubt. However, stability with Drummond and Aron Baynes in the first of a three-year deal provides a good opportunity for the Pistons to draft a big with upside and let him develop.

Notable to local fans is that Ford has Michigan State star Denzel Valentine going to the Utah Jazz with the 15th pick and fellow Spartan Deyonta Davis going 12th to the Phoenix Suns. Michigan’s Caris LeVert to the Charlotte Hornets with the 19th pick.

Next: 20 Best NBA Draft Picks from Michigan State

You can see Chad Ford’s full first round mock draft on ESPN.com (insider subscription required).

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