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Detroit Pistons Mentioned For 8 Players in Chad Ford’s Final Big Board

By Zac Snyder

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 20, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Wade Baldwin IV (4) brings the ball up court against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Wade Baldwin IV (4) brings the ball up court against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

Wade Baldwin IV

The Pistons value versatility and there seems to be a league-wide movement to that effect. While Wade Baldwin, the number 17 prospect on Ford’s final big board, is a point guard, he offers the size and shooting ability to play some minutes at the two.

Ford’s comments:

"Upside: Baldwin’s elite size, length, strength and athleticism are his standout qualities. Not many point guards come along with a set of physical tools like he has. He also proved to be an above-average shooter in college — a rare find for a player with his physical gifts. If he maxes out his potential, he could be a Deron Williams-type in the NBA. Downside: There are questions about his feel for the game as a point guard. His midrange game is a mess. He didn’t seem to make anyone around him better and his coaches questioned his leadership on the court and in the locker room. Draft range: Nos. 8-22, which is a big range. The Kings, Bucks, Jazz, Suns and Bulls are all interested in Baldwin as a lottery pick. If he slides past them, the Pistons and Hornets are his backstops."

Read just the upside and Baldwin sounds like a slam dunk pick at 18, then read the downside and you might not want anything to do with him. That dichotomy goes to show why Ford notes a wide projected draft range but the Pistons’ pick at 18 is still near the back-end of where Baldwin is expected to go.

Considering Reggie Jackson is already entrenched as the starting point guard, the “downside” notes are minimized by the fact that he wouldn’t need to come in and be the Pistons’ floor general. An appropriately sized role early in his career and the steady direction of Stan Van Gundy would help get the most out of Baldwin if he turns out to be the pick.

Next: Juan Hernangomez

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