Detroit Pistons 2024 NBA Draft First Round Primer
Prospect scouting reports AND Pistons specific thoughts on players at the top of the 2024 NBA Draft.
How about some Detroit Pistons x NBA Draft content??!! I wanted to drop my quick prospect scouting reports (I will link my FULL SCOUTS for each player that can be found over on The Basketball Bulletin substack with Trevor Lane and Keith Smith, we also have a brand new v2.0 Mock Draft!!!) on some of the players in the consensus top 10 of this draft and then give my thoughts on that player specifically to the Detroit Pistons. I also asked Wes Davenport to give his thoughts to give everyone even more analysis. We hope you guys enjoy!
NOTE: ***This was not in any sort of ranking or particular order***
ALEX SARR - PERTH
7’1 Big
18 Years Old (Turns 19 on April 26th)
From France, Currently Playing for Perth Wildcats in the NBL (previously with OTE)
9.5 PPG - 4.7 RPG - 1.0 APG - 0.4 SPG - 1.4 BPG - 1.1 TOPG (17.9 MPG - 26 GP)
50% on 7.4 FGA - 28% on 2.1 3PA - 68% on 2.4 FTA
My Draft Position - Top 3 Pick
ARCHETYPE/POTENTIAL ROLE
Defensive minded big with role and scheme versatility. Can be used as the primary defensive big, especially in ball screens, as well as in the off the ball roamer role. He combines great size and length with some really nice movement ability. A still raw, but extremely interesting, offensive game that has shown some flashes to attack with the ball in his hands and with potential to space the floor. Evan Mobley would be the best comp at this point as he has not shown the same consistency with his offensive game right now as someone like Chet Holmgren with his floor spacing and all around efficiency or Victor Wembanyama with the ability to run the offense through him.
For the Pistons - I want to be clear that Sarr is THE best player on my board and due to the fact I am still hashing out who the No. 2 player is, he is so by a pretty solid margin. Does that mean he should automatically be the selection for the Pistons if he is available when they make a pick? I am starting to lean more towards “yes” than I was a month ago. I will give my thoughts on the other prospects throughout the post but ultimately I just don’t think there is a player who I believe in as much as I do Sarr and specifically, his defensive impact. I also must admit that I have fallen in love with this archetype of big and think that it is a “cheat code” in today’s modern NBA if you can get a rim protecting and floor stretching (though, Sarr is more theoretical than practical with this) big. If Detroit does select Sarr there are some immediate questions. Can you play him with Duren? If not, do you trade Duren? I have loosely sketched out a rotation where you can get both of these guys realistic minutes while only playing them together for 8-10 minutes a night. You would have to be VERY careful who else is on the floor during those minutes (can’t have any non floor spacers until Sarr develops that 3-point shooting fully) but it is possible for them to co-exist for short stretches. Bottom line is I love Sarr, don’t love the fit and would draft him anyway.
Wes Davenport - What more could the Pistons want out of a center prospect? Alexandre Sarr fits into that Evan Mobley mold of tall, long, and skinny centers who can block shots, read the floor, and have shown potential as a shooter. Sarr played about 17 minutes a night in the NBL, one of the better international leagues. Expand his per game numbers out to per36 minutes, and the potential becomes obvious. 20.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 2.8 blocks, and 1 steal, all while slashing .520/.298/.714. Sarr could be a unicorn in the vein of Myles Turner, Evan Mobley, or Kristaps Porzingis. To me, he represents a home run for the Pistons at #1. Sarr is exactly the type of big man you want to pair with Cade: locks down the paint on defense, can switch, spaces the floor, can make passes out of the short roll, and is a very good athlete. Sarr is simply too good to pass on.
ZACCHARIE RISACHER - JL BOURG
6’9 Wing
18 Years Old (Turns 19 on April 8th)
From France, Currently Playing for JL Bourg
10.7 PPG - 3.6 RPG - 1.0 APG - 0.9 SPG - 0.5 BPG - 1.5 TOPG (22.8 MPG - 57 GP in ALL Leagues)
46% on 8.0 FGA - 39% on 3.5 3PA - 72% on 2.7 FTA
My Draft Position - Top 7 Pick
ARCHETYPE/POTENTIAL ROLE
Off the ball 3-and-D wing with potential to be a forward as he grows and fills out his body. Does not currently offer a ton on the ball offensively but will provide floor spacing and a nice feel for offensive rebounds, cutting and getting out in transition. Defensively, he may not be a lockdown wing defender but has potential to be a major value in an overall defensive system with some real versatility long term. May never be the No.1 scoring option that you may want at the top of a draft but is that wing archetype that NBA teams covet and need on their roster.
For the Pistons - As Risacher has struggled to make shots over the past month and seen his 3P% dip, his position on NBA Draft Big Boards have followed suit. More and more you will see him closer to No. 10 in a Mock Draft than No. 1. I have fallen somewhere in the middle of this. When he was shooting mid 40% from 3 - in a professional league as an 18-year-old - I could more easily justify him being the No. 2 prospect on my board AND taking him over Alex Sarr for specific teams like the Pistons. No, 39% on 3.5 attempts per game is not something to scoff at but with this archetype of player - and with the other limitations surrounding his offensive game - there are fair concerns with such an elongated stretch of below average shooting that we have seen recently. With that said, he just turned 19 and has played 57 games in a professional league. After watching ALL of those attempts, and seeing how many misses were simply short, I wonder if he is just wearing down a little bit (which should be expected). I am not dropping this kid down my board as much as others and still have solidly as my No. 3 prospect. I LOVE his fit with the Detroit Pistons and assuming Sarr is off the board he would sit atop my Pistons specific big board at this time.
Wes Davenport - Perhaps we’re all overthinking it with Risacher. Yes, he hit a slump down the stretch of his season, but he’s still shooting about 39% from three on the year. He’s an active defender, a good athlete, and plays a substantial role in the competitive French pro league. His floor is a 3&D wing, his ceiling is a bit higher. Risacher needs to add strength, I do worry about him guarding NBA forwards in year one, but he is still just 19 years old. If he adds strength and improves his handle, Risacher becomes a true wing who can shoot off of movement and the dribble, contribute solid defense, and get his own shot in a pinch. That’s a very valuable player! And the exact type of wing this Pistons team is missing right now. In a draft with as many question marks as this one, maybe a sure fire 3&D wing with the potential for more is just what the Pistons need.
RON HOLLAND - G LEAGUE IGNITE
6’6 Wing
18 Years Old (Turns 19 on July 7th)
Duncanville HS, Currently Playing for G League Ignite
19.5 PPG - 6.7 RPG - 2.9 APG - 2.3 SPG - 0.9 BPG - 3.2 TOPG (31.9 MPG - 29 GP)
46% on 15.5 FGA - 24% on 3.3 3PA - 73% on 3.9 FTA
*Remember to find “Full Season Stats” when looking at G League Ignite players. Some sites, including RealGM, will have them split into “Regular Season” and G League Showcase Cup”*
My Draft Position - Top 7 Pick
ARCHETYPE/POTENTIAL ROLE
Athletic and explosive wing (I do not think he is a forward but am interested to see what he officially measures at) who has the potential to be a high volume scorer and defensive playmaker. I do believe he will be a mostly off the ball player who you want to create advantages for and then allow him to attack those opportunities. Will get the reputation as a “selfish” player based on ASST:TO numbers but I believe those to be misleading in terms of that, specifically. The questions around his feel for the game are much more warranted. Defensively, he is a player that will make plays and be disruptive but will need to work on the fundamentals of this end to simply be more “solid” in situations that ask for it.
For the Pistons - This one is a little more cut and dry for me. I am probably higher on Ron Holland than anyone BUT I actually think this is a worse fit than Sarr. Holland is probably the most explosive athlete in the top 10 and has real ability to get downhill but his floor spacing is a concern (Jaden Ivey). Defensively, he uses that athleticism and awesome motor to be disruptive but there could be some growing pains with the finer points on this end of the court (Ausar Thompson). I think there is an argument that due to the defensive potential he would be an upgrade over Ivey but if I am making that move I would rather bring in someone with real floor spacing to put around Cade Cunningham. Again, I am a huge fan of this kid but he would be lower on the Pistons specific board than my general board.
Wes Davenport - I’m not sure what to make of Ron Holland. He’s a very good athlete and plays with a high level of effort on defense, but that jump shot is a problem. Now, he did shoot 76% from the line, but only 24% from three on 3.6 attempts is concerning, to say the least. Holland is an explosive finisher and gets to the rim regularly, resulting in 5 free throw attempts per game (considering the G League’s one-for-two set up, this is incredibly impressive). He does have a solid handle and he’s a willing passer as well. For the Pistons, Holland is a gamble on legitimate two-way upside. But can they afford to add another poor shooter to this roster without making significant changes?
MATAS BUZELIS - G LEAGUE IGNITE
6’10 Forward
19 Years Old (Turns 20 in October)
Sunrise Christian Academy, Currently Playing for G League Ignite
13.7 PPG - 6.5 RPG - 1.9 APG - 0.9 SPG - 1.9 BPG - 2.2 TOPG (30.6 MPG - 32 GP)
46% on 11.3 FGA - 27% on 3.3 3PA - 70% on 2.0 FTA
*Remember to find “Full Season Stats” when looking at G League Ignite players. Some sites, including RealGM, will have them split into “Regular Season” and G League Showcase Cup”*
My Draft Position - Top 7 Pick
ARCHETYPE/POTENTIAL ROLE
Versatile forward that can dribble, pass and shoot. The player comp that many will use is Franz Wagner which is probably a fair high end archetype for what he can become on the offensive end. Had a major reputation as a 3-point shooter coming out of high school but has not shot it well thus far with the Ignite. His feel for the game is better than the negative ASST:TO ratio would lead you to believe and he does offer upside as a secondary/second side creator. Defensively, there are going to be real concerns with the foot speed on the ball against certain matchups but has awesome awareness off the ball which could lead to a high level team defender and even playmaker/disruptor.
For the Pistons - I think Buzelis might end up being the most polarizing potential selection (along with Cody Williams) for the Pistons. There is real offensive upside here as a forward who can dribble, pass and shoot. The question is….how well can he actually shoot? The high school numbers at Sunrise Christian Academy were really good but those really regressed his past season with the Ignite. Was this simply a product of that environment (truly not primary creator on that team) and adjusting to the longer 3-point line? Defensively, he is going to struggle on the ball but I actually have really come around to liking his off the ball potential. He could be a very good low man rim protector and that’s something this Pistons team has missed since the trade of Jerami Grant. Buzelis is the archetype of player that Detroit could absolutely use, this really comes down to how much you actually believe in the player. (also, make sure you read Wes’ thoughts on him as being a potential big for stretches of minutes)
Wes Davenport - Buzelis is a challenging evaluation, and not just due to the dumpster fire that was the G League Ignite. Buzelis is tall and long, but not an incredible athlete. He’s skilled for his size, but will not be a plus ball handler or playmaker on the wing right away. Buzelis needs to add strength, as he will frequently be bumped off his line on drives to the rim, rarely gained ground in post ups, and has been buried in the rim more than a few times. He’s a ball of clay at this point, and the ultimate success or failure may come down to his jump shot. Buzelis was known as a shooter during the recruiting process, but that did not translate to the Ignite (27% three and 68% from the line). I do wonder if we’re viewing him through the wrong lens though. Right now, Buzelis is not all that skilled as a wing, but he’s a very skilled big. Could Buzelis play the 5? He’s shown solid effort and timing as a weakside shot blocker, and his limitations as a ball handler and shooter would actually be pluses at the center position. For the Pistons, Buzelis could be a legitimate offensive weapon at the center position who can at least block some shots on defense. That is, if he’s willing to make that transition.
NIKOLA TOPIC - RED STAR
6’6 Primary Initiator
18 Years Old (Turns 19 on August 10th)
From Serbia, Currently Playing for Red Star (previously on loan to Mega)
15.1 PPG - 3.4 RPG - 5.7 APG - 1.0 SPG - 0.1 BPG - 2.4 TOPG (28.8 MPG - 22 GP - Across ALL teams and leagues)
50% on 11.0 FGA - 31% on 3.9 3PA - 88% on 3.4 FTA
My Draft Position - Top 7 Pick
ARCHETYPE/POTENTIAL ROLE
True on the ball guard that is your primary initiator of the offense. He will “run the show” for the team that drafts him and get the ball to scorers around him but can also break down the defense with his eye manipulation and as one of the best ball screen operators in the draft class. The questions around his offensive game revolve around potential limitations with his explosiveness, he has shown signs of a “second gear” on drives, and the jump shot. Defensively, he does leave something to be desired on the ball but the hope would be the high feel for the game, and size, translates to this end of the floor to produce a quality “team defender”.
For the Pistons - This one is also a little more cut and dry for me. I really like Topic as he is the No. 2 player on my board at this time but I see him as a player you give the ball and let him run your team….not sure the Pistons are in the market for another one of those guys. Yes, teams can use multiple creators. Yes, either him or Cade Cunningham could spend time off the ball. Yes, you could stagger them. If you can tell me with 100% certainty that Cade wants to go play that “Jayson Tatum role” then I would listen to the idea of drafting Topic. My thoughts right now are that is NOT what he envisions for his role (knowing that I could absolutely be wrong here). I just feel Detroit could do better building around Cade (and balancing the roster) than adding another ball dominant player (who has defensive questions, as well), even one who runs PnR and uses eye manipulation as well as Topic.
Wes Davenport - Would having two jumbo-sized table setters be a bad thing for the Pistons? Maybe. That’s the question the new lead decision maker will need to make should Topic be available at Detroit’s selection. Topic is a mesmerizing playmaker and a skilled pick and roll operator already, at just 18 years old. His shot is a work in progress but it’s not broken, and he’s more athletic than he gets credit for. But what truly stands out to me is his footwork. Topic never wastes movement, his steps are intentional and ruthlessly efficient. Combine this with his tight handle and you can see how his playmaking is unlocked -- Topic can fire a pass from any position, off of any dribble, and at any time. In a world where he figures out NBA length and athleticism, his footwork and handle could make him a potent driving threat, elevating him as a scorer. Just how likely that is, however, is a question the new head honcho must answer.
CODY WILLIAMS - COLORADO
6’8 Wing
19 Years Old (Turns 20 in November)
Perry HS, Currently Playing for Colorado
11.9 PPG - 3.0 RPG - 1.6 APG - 0.6 SPG - 0.7 BPG - 2.0 TOPG (28.1 MPG - 24 GP)
55% on 8.1 FGA - 42% on 1.7 3PA - 71% on 3.2 FTA
My Draft Position - Lottery Pick
ARCHETYPE/POTENTIAL ROLE
Extremely versatile wing who displays qualities to play off the ball offensively but also possess the skill to do some things on the ball, or at least as a secondary (second side) creator. His high feel for the game should make him a nice fit with most teams as long as the shooting numbers hold on higher volume and he finds a more consistent and aggressive mentality that allows him to more often display the talent that he has shown in flashes. Added strength will make him more impactful on both ends and specifically, defensively, will expand the versatility of the matchups he can take. Projects to be a real two-way wing.
For the Pistons - If Buzelis doesn’t end up being the prospect that the Pistons fanbase ends up being the most divisive about then I predict it will be Cody Williams. Williams has a lot of the prototypical 3-and-D wings that you would want in the modern NBA and adds some off the bounce and passing juice to go with it. I would not argue that he could be EXACTLY what this roster needs. My hold up is that I am just not buying his path to being that player as much as some. The 3P% is incredible, the highest on this list outside of Reed Sheppard, but the volume is barely enough to truly buy it. He took just 41 total 3PAs this past season. For comparison, Alex Sarr took 58 in LESS total minutes. I believe this is just a microcosm of his all around game where I wanted to see a more aggressive and attacking mentality. Now, if you can tell me that mentality comes from the context he was playing (coaching? talent around him?) and/or the injury he sustained during the season I am more than willing to listen to that and factor it into the equation. At the end of the day, much like Buzelis, I love the archetype but worry some about the player and do have him lower on my personal board.
Wes Davenport - I’m a lot lower on Cody Williams than most. Williams started his season strong but not only did he falter after his return from injury, he got benched. He was also more or less invisible through most of the conference tournament and his first game in the NCAA tournament. Williams is tall and long, but he’s rail thin and does not play assertively. He shot 42% from three but on only 1.7 attempts per game -- 41 total shots. That’s it. Williams wasn’t a willing shooter, often dribbling into long two’s rather than taking the open three. He averaged more turnovers than assists and just generally was feast or famine during the season. The one thing nobody can take from him is that he was a solid and willing defender. Williams would often be tasked with the opponent's best scorer, regardless of whether that player were a guard or a wing. Williams plays with good effort and motor on defense, I just wish I could say the same about him on the other end. For the Pistons, Williams is a forward who is not a proven shooter, cannot be counted on to score in isolation, is a questionable decision maker with the ball in his hands, and is a solid defender. Among other options, I’m just not sure that Williams is a great fit with Cade Cunningham.
DALTON KNECHT - TENNESSEE
6’6 Guard/Wing
23 Years Old (Turns 24 NEXT APRIL)
Prairie View HS, Currently Playing for Tennessee
21.7 PPG - 4.9 RPG - 1.8 APG - 0.7 SPG - 0.6 BPG - 1.7 TOPG (30.6 MPG - 36 GP)
46% on 16.0 FGA - 40% on 6.5 3PA - 77% on 5.7 FTA
My Draft Position - Top 10 Pick
ARCHETYPE/POTENTIAL ROLE
The absolute high end ceiling outcome is a 3-level bucket getting guard/wing. He is a true off the ball player in terms of his ability to score out of these situations and lack of true on the ball creation for others. With that said, he is able to initiate his own scoring when he starts with the ball in hand and there are flashes of him taking double teams and making the right reads out of those from the college tape and the low turnover numbers should be highlighted even with the high usage. His high release and athleticism make his jump shot very hard to contest and alter. The real questions around his draft stock come from his age and defense. I have leaned towards giving him some slack defensively due to playing zone in high school and not yet having a full calendar year of high level D1 basketball experience (2 years of JUCO and 2 years of Big Sky Conference). A team's hope when drafting him is that he turns into a yearly 15-20+ point a night scorer that is at least neutral defensively with his size and some natural growth and progression.
For the Pistons - Need more scoring and floor spacing around Cade Cunningham to open the court? Dalton Knecht just might be your answer. This kid has taken almost 600 3PAs in his college career (JUCO and Division One) and shot 38% on them. If you watched any game of Tennessee last season you know that many of these were NOT of the wide open C&S variety either. He has real athleticism and good elevation that should allow him to score on mid range pull ups when attacking closeouts. That athleticism gives him a chance to be a high level finisher at the rim but I will say I have some concerns with his touch. The defense is a REAL concern but, as mentioned above, I do give him more leeway than most 23-year-olds due to his path thus far. There is a path to him being the best player available on my Pistons specific board at No. 4 or No. 5 (if the Pistons were to drop that far) but I would feel better about a trade back scenario for him to end up on this roster.
Wes Davenport - Bucket. Dalton Knecht is a BUCKET. A three level scorer for the Volunteers, Knecht shot 40% from three on 6.5 attempts and earned nearly six free throw attempts per game, all while scoring 21.7 points. And he is a three level scorer, showcasing solid finishing chops and an ability to get his own in a pinch. For the Pistons, Knecht is the off-ball scorer they so desperately need next to Cade Cunningham. Knecht’s defense, however, slows down the hype train. He’s a poor defender, no two ways about it. Opposing teams targeted him nightly as the clear weakest link in Tennessee’s vaunted defense. There’s something to be said about Knecht being a part of that defense. The Volunteers were able to field a top five defense in the nation with Knecht playing 30.6 minutes per game. At a minimum, this proves that a fantastic defense can be built around Knecht, but he has to be far and away the weakest link. Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren and even Cade Cunningham (depending on the night) could all challenge him for that undesirable title right now. Which would be a problem, to put it lightly.
REED SHEPPARD - KENTUCKY
6’3 Guard
19 Years Old (Turns 20 on June 24th)
North Laurel HS, Currently Playing for Kentucky
12.5 PPG - 4.1 RPG - 4.5 APG - 2.5 SPG - 0.7 BPG - 2.0 TOPG (28.9 MPG - 33 GP)
54% on 8.0 FGA - 52% on 4.4 3PA - 83% on 2.0 FTA
My Draft Position - Top 10 Pick
ARCHETYPE/POTENTIAL ROLE
Looks to be a combo guard that has the skills for either position, even if his height may not be prototypical for an off the ball guard. His shooting gravity, perhaps the highest in the entire class, more than makes up for that when you consider the value he will provide as a floor spacer and ball mover. Will also be able to take on ball reps where he can run the team and get the ball where it needs to go. If you believe in his ability to be a primary creator, in a starting unit, that would drastically raise the ceiling of his NBA value. He combines this with very intriguing defensive value to guard both backcourt positions, although probably not at a “lockdown” level, and be an absolute disruptor with his defensive playmaking skills. You will be hard pressed to find another perimeter defender that combines the hand activity and accuracy with the basketball feel and elite jump shot contesting that he has.
For the Pistons - Same pitch as above in terms of the floor spacing and there might not be anyone with a better shooting profile than Reed Sheppard and he probably fits best next to a jumbo creator like Cade Cunningham. I am not as high on his true on ball abilities in terms of creating for his teammates and while he is a big time defensive disruptor, I am a little worried about how well he holds up on the ball defensively. These concerns have actually caused me to drop him closer to No. 10 on my personal big board (not Pistons specific) over the past couple of weeks. Similar to Knecht, I think there is a world where he could end up in play as high as where Detroit could ultimately select but for now he would be a player I am more interested in with a small trade back.
Wes Davenport - Reed Sheppard is short, but if he were two or three inches taller, he would be a no-brainer selection for Detroit. Sheppard shot 52% from three on 4.4 attempts per game, that’s insane. He and Topic are the best in this class at reading the floor from both on the move or a standstill, and this high level of processing transferred to the defensive side of the ball as well. Sheppard averaged 2.5 steals per game and was incredibly disruptive on that end. Sheppard is not a point guard, he would be best served off the ball right now as he won’t be a guy who can reliably create an advantage for himself off the bounce. But wow is he an impactful off ball player. Though he’s short, Sheppard is a great fit next to Cade Cunningham offensively with only one nagging question on the defensive end. For how disruptive he was, Sheppard would sometimes struggle to stay in front of his man when isolated. If that problem persists, and we have every indication to believe it will, Sheppard will not be a guard who can check the opposing team's best guard scorer. Even so, his track record as a shooter, secondary playmaker, off ball defender, and finisher around the rim makes Sheppard an intriguing option next for the Pistons.
STEPHON CASTLE - CONNECTICUT
6’6 Guard/Wing
19 Years Old (Turns 20 in November)
Newton HS, Currently Playing for Connecticut
11.1 PPG - 4.7 RPG - 2.9 APG - 0.8 SPG - 0.5 BPG - 1.5 TOPG (27.0 MPG - 34 GP)
47% on 8.5 FGA - 27% on 2.2 3PA - 76% on 3.2 FTA
My Draft Position - Top 10 Pick
ARCHETYPE/POTENTIAL ROLE
This is one of the more interesting archetypes and roles to project at the top of the 2024 class. Coming into the season many projected Castle as a “jumbo initiator” that runs the show for his team, I actually had people give me Cade Cunningham as a role comp (this was PRE COLLEGE and not a one to one player comp, although he does play at that more methodical pace like Cunningham). After a full season in college he looks more like a combo guard, or even wing, that could thrive as a secondary creator. The ladder is more in line with my projection which will bring into question his floor spacing and 3-point shooting that he has struggled with in his freshman season but did show growth at times throughout the season. Where he has been better than I anticipated is on the defensive end where he has taken tough matchups, played extremely hard (a question I had coming out of HS), shown some playmaking/disruption (more in HS) and flat out has shown real growth to the point of perhaps being the best perimeter defender at the top of the draft.
For the Pistons - This is one of the more interesting scouts in this draft class for me. Coming into his freshman season I was looking at Castle as a jumbo initiator but as things played out that was not the role he played and eventually really thrived in. Instead, he became more of an off the ball and second side creator that was making timely off the ball cuts and attacking the offensive boards. I also had real questions about his defense coming into college and he flipped the narrative from that to perhaps the most “solid” perimeter defender at the top of this class. Pairing him with Ausar would be a nightmare for opposing defenses (maybe start to follow the path we are seeing from the Timberwolves?) but would open up some real questions about floor spacing on the other end of the court. Can the volume and percentage from 3 get good enough to be the Josh Hart type of player that people seem to be comparing him to recently? If so, we have seen how valuable that player can be alongside a primary guy like Jalen Brunson.
Wes Davenport - Castle is a poor shooter. Exactly how much of a problem that is depends on what Detroit does with the rest of its roster. Castle is a very good two-way prospect who can do just about everything you’d want a guard to do... except shoot the basketball. He’s a plus athlete who can get to the rim and finish, he’s a smart cutter with a good feel for space on the floor, he may be the best one-on-one defender in this draft, and he’s a team-first guy who plays his butt off every night. If he could shoot the basketball, I think we’d be talking about Castle at #2 for the Pistons, but he shot 27% from three on 2.2 attempts (75% from the line). Even so, I find myself wondering if Castle may become that Bruce Brown sort of utility player that every team dreams of adding. The guy who can handle the basketball, make plays for others, guard multiple positions, and just do anything it takes to give the team an advantage. It’s hard not to like Castle the player. It’s just hard to fit him into Detroit’s roster right now. Is that a good enough reason to pass on him if he were available with the Pistons pick though? Let’s just say I’m glad I’m not paid to make that decision.
DONOVAN CLINGAN - CONNECTICUT
7’2 Big
20 Years Old (Turns 21 NEXT February)
Bristol Central HS, Currently Playing for Connecticut
13.0 PPG - 7.4 RPG - 1.5 APG - 0.5 SPG - 2.5 BPG - 0.8 TOPG (22.6 MPG - 35 GP)
64% on 8.3 FGA - 2/8 3PA - 58% on 4.0 FTA
My Draft Position - Top 10 Pick
ARCHETYPE/POTENTIAL ROLE
This is your true play finishing and rim protecting big with a crazy amount of size and “better than you would think” mobility to go along with it. He can run the floor in and put pressure on the defense in transition along with all of the half court necessities of dunker spot, OREB and Pick-and-Roll finishing. He is a good passer but not a “hub of the offense” type of passer and not the post up presence of someone like Zach Edey. The biggest value is what he will be able to bring on the defensive end of the court as a ball screen defender and rim protector. As mentioned, he moves better than you might think for his size and his sheer size does allow him to be a consistent rim deterrent. I have questions about the amount of minutes he plays throughout a game (something that he did more of in the Final Four) and how that translates to the next level but this may not be as big of a concern for NBA teams. While not one to one players, a comparison you will often get is Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz.
For the Pistons - Full stop, I think this would be a pick if you are sure you eventually move on from Jalen Duren. Alex Sarr only makes some sense to me because there are multiple paths to play out when drafting him and one is he and Duren playing together. If you draft Clingan then you are either investing two lottery picks over three years into 48 minutes split at the center position with both being complete non floor spacers OR you don’t plan on both being on the roster for too long of a stretch of their careers. Fwiw, I do like Clingan a lot and think he is going to be a very good defensive big who also play finishes and passes well. I would just want to know the rest of the plan in this scenario.
Wes Davenport - One of the biggest problems the Pistons had last season was the utter lack of interior defense. Clingan fixes that on day one. Standing at 7’2 with long arms, Clingan averaged 2.5 blocks in only 22.5 minutes per game. And this isn’t an outlier, he actually averaged more blocks per40 minutes in his freshman year. Offensively, he sets strong screens and is an effective role man with his size. He’s also flashed some intriguing passing vision out of the short role during UConn’s championship run through the tournament. Clingan is not a good free throw shooter (58%) and should not be expected to become a floor spacer... probably ever. But his defense is real and this Pistons team desperately needs a player like Clingan. While this wouldn’t be the most exciting selection, Clingan would be a day-one starter and unquestionably a difference-maker for the Pistons. Think Walker Kessler but two inches taller and 20lbs heavier.
TRADE BACK (or TRADE OUT)
NAMES ON THE BACK END OF THE LOTTERY/MID FIRST ROUND
These are some players that you could be looking at if the Pistons REALLY traded out of their top five pick and not just a few spots like mentioned in some of the write ups above.
COMPLETELY TRADE OUT
My understanding of the Stepien Rule is this would have to happen AFTER the Pistons actually make the selection due to the fact the Pistons COULD convey their pick to the Knicks next year. With that said, there is still a world where Detroit makes this pick for another team knowing they have a trade in place. The idea behind his for me would be that you already have so many young players on the roster to try and develop AND is there a path to getting some pick capital in the future considering they are at a net negative right now.
Wes Davenport - Any takers? With how unspectacular the star potential at the top of this draft is, fans are calling for the Pistons to trade back or entirely out of the first round in exchange for more picks or a current borderline all-star caliber player. The problem? If the class is so devoid of star potential, why would another team want to trade up? It takes two to tango, and the Pistons' price ought to be fairly high in order to move out of their pole position in this draft. For all the weaknesses of the class, all these players will be cost-controlled assets for at least four seasons. The Pistons will soon need to make contract decisions on Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren, adding young, relatively cheap talent may be imperative. What I’m hopefully getting across is that the Pistons will likely set a fairly high price for their selection this season, making it all the less likely that another team is willing to pay it. Trade outs and downs do happen though, and it’s possible the Pistons find a taker. If they do, the idea of adding proven NBA talent to a roster frankly lacking in that category is intriguing. But it’s fair to wonder what caliber of that proven talent would be, and if other teams are willing to offer that type of package at all.