It is an exciting time to be a Pistons fan. After many hopeless years at the bottom of the NBA, the future of the Detroit Pistons basketball is bright. That means that the fanbase is desperately waiting for the offseason, hoping GM Trajan Langdon makes the right moves to help the team take another leap next season.
Taking a step forward to become a true title contender is more difficult than going from 14 wins to 44 wins like the Pistons did last season. The front office is facing a ton of crucial decisions, including the free agency of Dennis Schröder and Malik Beasley, and the upcoming NBA Draft.
For the first time in a while, the Pistons don't have a first-round pick. The only selection they have in the draft is the 37th-overall pick in the second round. Hunter Patterson of The Athletic revealed on Tuesday what he expects Detroit to do at the draft.
"I don’t think the Pistons are eager to get into the first round. For as much as Detroit has been in the lottery the last decade, I’d imagine the front office is content with drafting early in the second round at No. 37."Hunter Patterson, The Athletic
Patterson saying that the Pistons aren't eager to move into the first round is an excellent sign. Detroit shouldn't be giving up draft capital and future assets to move up in the draft to select another rookie. This team already has enough young players with upside and needs veterans who can help them win now, instead.
Not using resources to move up into the first round means that the Pistons will have the ability to use their assets in a trade for a veteran. Detroit has all of its own draft picks going forward and can package them all in a big swing for a star, either this offseason, at the trade deadline, or next summer. Considering how wide open the Eastern Conference will be in the immediate future, that is the right move for the Pistons.