Detroit Pistons: 4 back-court targets for 2020 NBA Draft

As the 2020 NBA Draft inches closer, take a look at four back-court targets the Detroit Pistons will consider.

Newly hired Detroit Pistons GM Troy Weaver is highly-regarded for his knack of discovering and acquiring premier talent. He was instrumental with Syracuse landing Carmelo Anthony, and the Seattle Supersonics (Oklahoma City Thunder) drafting Russell Westbrook.

After another abysmal losing season, the Detroit Pistons find themselves as a fringe-contender to earning a lottery pick. They are guaranteed to make a selection during the first ten picks of the upcoming NBA draft.

Entering his third season with the franchise, head coach Dwayne Casey will be looking to add a perimeter player capable of starring in his fast, ball-movement heavy style of offense. Leave it to Weaver to comb through this year’s wide-open 2020 NBA draft class, which lacks a consensus top pick.

Here are four perimeter players most likely to be selected by the Detroit Pistons during October’s draft:

Anthony Edwards – Georgia (FR) – 6-foot-5/225 pounds

At just 18-years-old, the 2020 SEC Freshman of the Year has the athleticism and shooting ability to become one of the premier scorers in the NBA one day.

To do this, Anthony Edwards needs to take advantage of his strength and power to attack the rim more often.

Right now, he is able to create for himself off the dribble but takes too many low-percentage shots.

Still, he can take over a game at any given moment with his ability score from all over the court.

Edwards has the length and agility to become a versatile defender capable of switching off onto bigger opponents. Edwards may potentially be the star scoring-threat Detroit has lacked over the past decade.

Tyrese Haliburton – Iowa State (SO) – 6-foot-5/175 pounds

With a wingspan listed at 6’8″, the Cyclones product utilizes his length and vision to display his dynamic playmaking ability. Tyrese Haliburton may just be the best all-around perimeter prospect in this class. He has been consistently good at playing off-ball defense and rotating.

Haliburton will need to add weight to his frame to withstand the physical demand of driving to the basket in the NBA. He excels at going either left or right before using gear changes, head fakes, and creativity to create space or deliver passes at all angles. He would be perfect for Casey’s offensive-scheme and can pull up from deep when needed.

Killian Hayes – Ulm (France) – 6-foot-5/215 pounds

A raw overseas prospect is climbing up draft boards, Killian Hayes. A left-handed ball-dominant shooter who can manipulate defenses before zipping passes to teammates from all angles. Hayes, initiates contact in the lane, before displaying great touch to finish shots.

He has the height, length, and strength to develop into a versatile defender capable of bullying guards and wings one day. One of his negatives is that he is predictable, and needs to improve the use of his right hand when dribbling and passing.

Still, he has an incredible IQ and feel for the game. His tenacious off-ball defense should allow for a floor as a rotational defender in the league for years to come, at the very least.

LaMelo Ball – Illawarra Hawks (Australia) – 6-foot-7/190 pounds

Potentially, the first overall pick in this year’s draft could be LaMelo Ball. Right now, he is the beneficiary of receiving all the “hype” from scouts and mainstream media outlets. A boom-or-bust prospect, possessing elite passing skills and court vision.

His height and IQ project an extremely-high ceiling for his career, as long as he can improve his shooting efficiency. Still, capable of attacking the rim and finishing. Exhibits advanced control of the game. Like his brother Lonzo, he contributes good effort rebounding for a guard but needs to display a consistent motor on defense.

LaMelo will be able to handle the pressures of the NBA, as he’s been in the national spotlight for years. If his stock drops and he falls, Weaver and Casey will absolutely jump at the opportunity to snatch him up.

The Motor City Rundown

Each player has the potential to thrive in Casey’s system, and Weaver is likely to select the player who projects to have the most success. Still, choosing from this year’s pool of prospects will be a crapshoot.

This Detroit Pistons franchise under the ownership of Tom Gores lacks identity. Because of this, it’s crucial that whoever is selected embodies the blue-collar, hard-working mentality of both the “Bad Boys” and “Going To Work” championship eras during the Palace of Auburn Hills glory days.

By doing that, both Casey and Weaver will have found a pillar upon which they can build a foundation to return Detroit to a position of prominence in the Eastern Conference.

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