Detroit Pistons draft: Taking a look at Khyri Thomas

The Detroit Pistons’ 2018 NBA Draft got off to an earlier start than originally scheduled thanks to a trade for second round pick Khryi Thomas.

The Detroit Pistons were schedule for a quiet night in the 2018 NBA Draft but it didn’t quite turn out that way. Rather than waiting to make their only pick of the night at 42, the Pistons made a trade to acquire the 38th overall pick and Creighton guard Khryi Thomas.

It will cost the Pistons two future second-round picks, but it was apparently well worth the cost give the team’s lack of financial flexibility to reshape the roster this offseason and to make a move for a player they didn’t expect to be available.

Following the draft, Pistons senior advisor Ed Stefanski met wit the media to discuss Thomas and Bruce Brown, the player they later selected 42nd overall. You can watch that session thanks to MLive’s video:

In Khryi Thomas and Bruce Brown, the Pistons added a pair of players they see as wings who have some overlap to their game but some strengths and weaknesses that are different. At almost 6’4″ in shoes, Thomas is about an inch shorter than Brown but is a little thicker and has a wingspan advantage of an inch an a half compared to Brown (6’10.5″ vs. 6’9″).

Both players are noted as powerful, explosive and tough defenders, but they have complementary playmaking skills on the offensive end. Thomas isn’t as developed as a passer as Brown but he is a better shooter.

Thomas finished his Creighton career as a 40.6% shooter from behind the arc and got there by being amazingly consistent. After shooting 41.8% on three-pointers as a freshman, Thomas shot 39.3% as a sophomore, then 41.1% last season before declaring for the draft. While he came in as a good three-point shooter, Thomas was able to improve his overall field goal percentage each season, going from 47.1% to 50.5% then finishing last season at 53.8%.

Long-term there is more to like about Thomas but it is clear his early chance at cracking the regular rotation will be all about the “three and D” whenever he is able to pick up some minutes. There is always a transition that comes with making the jump up a level but as a two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year, Thomas is well positioned to make an early impact defensively any time he sees the floor.

Next: Detroit Pistons all-time roster

Pistons fans will get their first look at Thomas as a pro when he takes the court for the Pistons’ Summer League team next month.