Detroit Pistons: Top 7 first-round options in the 2020 NBA Draft

5: Tyrese Haliburton, PG, Iowa State

Tyrese Haliburton versus Killian Hayes is a popular debate for the number-two point guard in the draft. Personally, I give Haliburton the advantage because I think there is a higher chance he is a long term contributor in the NBA.

Haliburton might be the safest pick in the entire draft after two strong seasons at Iowa State. He is an extremely smart passer averaging 6.5 assists in his sophomore year and rarely making bad passes.

Additionally, he is a great shooter off the catch and shot nearly 42% from downtown despite a weird release. Defensively, he is a smart player who could guard both backcourt positions.

Haliburton does struggle to create his own shot. He doesn’t have great athleticism or shake in order to get to the rim or get his own shot off. This will likely require him to play with a shot creator at guard or wing.

As a secondary shot creator, he can attack rotating defenders and use his IQ to make smart passes. You could see this his rookie year, playing next to Derrick Rose and Luke Kennard in multi-guard lineups. Haliburton likely will not become a star, but there is a good bet he will be a long time solid NBA player.

6: James Wiseman, C, Memphis

The number one player in the high school class, James Wiseman, is an exciting center prospect. At 7-foot-1 with a 7-foot-5 wingspan and bounce, he is a great athlete for his size. This athleticism translates to the defensive end and on the glass.

He will be a problem for offenses who will always have to be aware of where he is on the floor. He is difficult to finish over, plus with his quickness, he can swat shots from a variety of spots on the floor. On offense, he is a good rim runner with good touch around the basket. He flashes some ability as a shooter and could develop into a solid shooter.

The biggest issue with Wiseman is his fit in the modern-day NBA. There is value in rim protection and rim running, but it has greatly diminished in recent years. Even if his shooting develops, it is still unlikely for a center to be a game-changer. He will likely be a good player, possibly even a great defender, but the Detroit Pistons need players with high upside who can elevate the team around them.