Detroit Pistons: 2019 NBA Draft information and preview
The Detroit Pistons are entering the NBA Draft with two picks, one in each round at numbers 15 and 45. They may decide to trade one of the picks for assets now, but if not, they have some needs to fill with young players.
Despite being mere days after the end of the Finals, the NBA Draft already signals the next season. Every team looks to improve the future by bringing in the most talented young players in the world. Front offices work against each other to get the most advantage. It is a hopeful evening and the most exciting night in the league—which does not involve a single game. The ultimate goal is to find that piece that helps win a championship. The Detroit Pistons hope to find their piece.
As we have pointed out in earlier observations, the Pistons will try to improve their backcourt. This could be in the form of either a ball handler at point guard or a hot shooter at the wing. The free agent market for point guards is slightly deeper at the point, so it seems more likely the Pistons will seek out a shooting guard in the first round.
Even with top shooting guard, Jarrett Culver, off the board, there is still an abundance of quality players at the position. Romeo Langford, from Indiana, was a second-team All-Big Ten player. The freshman guard was a strong two-way player; however, his shot suffers, especially from three. Still, he would be an excellent player off the bench next year, at either guard position. Kevin Porter Jr. is a comparable pick, but his lack of experience (not even half of Langford’s minutes) and inability to make free throws (52%) is a definite deterrent.
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With one extra year than Langford, Nickeil Alexander-Walker has only gotten better in that time. A starter for both years at Virginia Tech, showed drastic improvements on both ends of the court. As an overview from his freshman to his sophomore year, his offensive rating jumped by 5 points while his defensive rating dropped by 8. This is significant progress. Alexander-Walker is a good three-point shooter, and would be an all-around safe pick.
The small forward market is a little deeper this year, and should the Detroit Pistons decide to go that route, Kentucky’s Keldon Johnson would make a good fit. In a league where positions are increasingly nebulous, Johnson straddles that line between guard and small forward. He is a good defender for his size. If the choice is between him and Nassir Little, who may also be available at 15, Johnson has the edge with his superior shooting.
Midway through the second round, there are plenty of other variables that could affect Detroit’s choice at number 45. Depending on the first round, the front office may elect for the best player available, provided he is not another big.
A player like Nebraska’s Isaiah Roby (realistic) or maybe even Tulsa’s DaQuan Jeffries (less realistic) would make a strong addition of small forward off the bench. Both have three seasons of college experience under their belts, although not with the highest-profile of colleges. With 80+ games apiece, both players have proven themselves, solid defenders and capable shooters. Jeffries will probably go much earlier, but the Pistons would be happy with either man in the second round.
In the end, Ed Stefanski and the front office team could always decide to move one or both of the picks for current assets. It is unlikely they attempt to move up in the draft, but there could be a team near the bottom of the draft looking to jump ahead. Houston, for example, clearly wants to refresh their system and does not currently have a pick in either round. A team like the Rockets may wish to enter the fray and can afford to give up assets. Stefanski has not made a habit out of draft-day trades, though. Last year’s trade for Khyri Thomas was the first time he has done so in seven drafts.
Next. Looking at Ed Stefanski’s past NBA Draft Experience. dark
There are so many moving pieces in the NBA Draft; it is impossible to predict an outcome. The Detroit Pistons will probably try to add at least one guard. They will probably hold on to both of their picks. They will probably emphasize shooting as a primary concern. Whatever the case may be, the Pistons hope to be a better club this time next week. We all find out together, when the Draft is broadcast live Thursday at 7:00 on ESPN.