The Detroit Pistons had the worst record in the NBA this season at 17-65. As a result, they shared the highest odds of landing the No. 1 overall pick in the draft lottery at 14.0 percent. However, they fell into their worst-case scenario, landing the No. 5 pick.
Despite their poor lottery luck, the Pistons still have solid options projected to be available at their pick. They desperately need a wing to pair alongside their promising core of Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Jalen Duren.
These four players made the list of draft options as they are both talented prospects and fit the Pistons’ positional needs.
4 Players Pistons Should Consider at Pick No. 5
Pistons Draft Target No. 1 – Taylor Hendricks, F, Central Florida
Taylor Hendricks‘ 3-and-D skill set gives him a high floor and makes him a relatively safe pick. However, he also flashes much more potential and could be able to create his own shot at the next level as well. At Central Florida, Hendricks averaged 15.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 0.9 steals per game on 48/39/78 shooting splits.
He’s everything teams are looking for in a modern-day power forward. Hendrick possesses a 6-foot-9 frame, shooting, rebounding, versatility, and rim protection.
Hendricks may not have the same upside as picks going around this range, meaning he likely will never be a superstar or go-to scorer. But his skill set is highly coveted in the NBA and should lead to a successful career.
Pistons Draft Target No. 2 – Cam Whitmore, F, Villanova
Cam Whitmore fits the Pistons’ style and team identity as a bruising, 232-pound forward. As a freshman at Villanova, Whitmore averaged 12.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 0.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game on 48/34/70 shooting splits.
At 6-foot-7, Whitmore possesses the size and athleticism to make him a great two-way player and could be the wing defender that Detroit has been missing, evidenced by his 1.4 steals per game at Villanova.
Some areas of improvement for Whitmore are his shooting and passing. He likely wouldn’t be relied on much to be a playmaker in Detroit, with Cunningham and Ivey having the ball for most possessions. However, he needs to become a more reliable knockdown shooter to space the floor for those two. Still, Whitmore is great at creating his own shot and getting to the rim and could be utilized as another scoring option.
Nonetheless, Whitmore could be a great option as a two-way forward. In fact, he’s been projected to be selected by the Pistons in other mock drafts, including Bleacher Report.
Pistons Draft Target No. 3 – Jarace Walker, F, Houston
Jarace Walker is a Swiss army knife-type player that could impact the Pistons on both sides of the court. During his freshman year at Houston, Walker averaged 11.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game on 47/35/66 shooting splits. Walker isn’t a go-to scorer, which, as mentioned with Hendricks, limits his potential upside as a superstar.
However, Walker is a player that finds a way to win with his intangibles and defense. He’s a player that would fit in exceptionally well with the Pistions core and is reminiscent of the “Bad Boy Pistons” of old with his physicality. Additionally, with his versatility and ability to switch onto guards, Walker should be a great defender at the next level.
Pistons Draft Target No. 4 – Ausar Thompson, G/F, Overtime Elite
Ausar Thompson is more of a wing player than his brother, Amen; this helps in this case with the Pistons, who desperately need help at the wing positions. On Overtime Elite, he averaged 14.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.2 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game on 50/22/64 shooting splits.
Ausar is a 6-foot-7, long wing with much potential, particularly on the defensive end. He’s quick and can guard well out on the perimeter. Not only does his length create matchup problems for guards and wings, but it also helps Thompson’s in terms of defensive switchability onto bigs.
Due to his level of competition and inability to stretch the floor, Ausar enters the draft as a high-risk, high-reward pick. The Pistons need shooting at the wing positions. But, just as importantly, they need defense. Ausar projects to be a great defender at the next level.
He’s also someone that can positively impact a team’s offense, even without great shooting, due to his basketball IQ, length, and athleticism.
Our Choice for Detroit
Taylor Hendricks. Hendricks is the exact player this Pistons’ roster needs and is an excellent option as a 3-and-D forward. He’d slide seamlessly alongside Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Jalen Duren. With Cunningham’s playmaking, Ivey attacking the rim, and Duren protecting the paint, Hendricks could slide in as the missing piece to the puzzle. His shooting, rim protection, and rebounding strengths complement the existing trio exceptionally well.
Final Thoughts
All four of these players mentioned are excellent prospects that possess two-way potential at the next level with their size and athleticism. In addition, they’re players that excel at the intangibles and dirty work, which is why they’re being considered so highly in the first place.
The one thing separating Hendricks from the others is his shooting. Detroit doesn’t have a ton of shooting on the roster, especially with Cunningham, Ivey, and Duren being their emerging trio. Cunningham has averaged 30.9 percent shooting from three in his first two NBA seasons. Meanwhile, Ivey shot 34.3 from deep in his rookie year.
These numbers should continue to improve as they develop. But, in today’s NBA that emphasizes shooting and floor spacing, the Pistons need more shooting on the floor, particularly with their young core.
Regardless of who Pistons select, they’ve done a great job revamping their roster. In addition, newly hired head coach Monty Williams should positively impact the young players, as he’s excellent at developing young talent.
