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NBA Draft 2016: Chad Ford Connects 7 Players to Detroit Pistons

By Zac Snyder

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Stanley Johnson (Arizona) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number eight overall pick to the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Stanley Johnson (Arizona) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number eight overall pick to the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 6, 2016; Malibu, CA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Domantas Sabonis (11) dribbles the ball as Pepperdine Waves forward A.J. John (25) defends during the first half at Firestone Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2016; Malibu, CA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Domantas Sabonis (11) dribbles the ball as Pepperdine Waves forward A.J. John (25) defends during the first half at Firestone Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

Domantas Sabonis

The top-ranked player on Ford’s board to get a Pistons mention, Gonzaga forward Domantas Sabonis checks in at number ten overall. Ford says the following along with the ranking:

"Sabonis really helped his cause at a pro day in Los Angeles two weeks ago. Allowed to show skills outside Gonzaga’s structured offense, Sabonis did two things that really sold scouts — he shot it very well from beyond the arc (a shot he rarely took in college) and showed off some explosiveness athletically. Those are the two biggest knocks on Sabonis’ game. If he can improve those, he should be a terrific pick. Based on my conversation with teams in Las Vegas, he’s looking more and more like a lottery pick, starting as high as the Kings at No. 8, the Raptors at No. 9, the Bucks at No. 10 and the Magic at No. 11. The Suns at No. 13 and Bulls at No. 14 are also possibilities in the late lottery. In the middle of the first round, the Celtics, Grizzlies, Pistons and Pacers all seem like potential homes. Look for him to land in the No. 8-20 range."

Ford’s ranking of Sabonis as the tenth player on his big board, along with his opinion that the range for Sabonis falls somewhere from 8-20 means the Pistons may never get a chance to make Sabonis their pick.

The 6-10, 238 pound Sabonis looks like the kind of stretch-four so many teams covet and showing more range than he showed at Gonzaga is sure to ease some concerns teams may have. Sabonis is already noted for having a high basketball IQ and rebounding ability.

Sabonis has been a popular pick for the Pistons in some mock drafts, but seems to becoming less popular as his starting to get mocked higher more consistently. Still, he’s a name to watch on draft night if he falls out of the lottery picks.

Next: Thon Maker

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