Detroit Pistons - Trading Back in the 2024 NBA Draft

A look at the pros of trading back in the draft for the Detroit Pistons

In the last thirteen years, the Detroit Pistons have participated in the NBA Draft Lottery twelve times. In those twelve the Pistons have only experienced only one upward pick change in 2021 when they selected Cade Cunningham with the first overall pick. Needless to say, the odds have not been in favor of Detroit. This year, marking their fourth NBA Draft Lottery in a row, does not appear as though it will be any more kind to the Detroit Pistons. 

Hailed as one of the worst drafts since 2013, this year’s draft does not have a clear-cut star as opposed to previous years. Instead, the 2024 NBA Draft has a pretty flat talent pool with not many distinguishable tiers. This is a great draft for a contending franchise, such as the OKC Thunder or Miami Heat, to fill in the holes of their team. However, not so much for teams that have yet to finalize an identity and are still searching for their “guys.” 

In other words, this is one of the worst draft classes for the Pistons to be selecting in the top five. It is likely to be a crapshoot to find a “guy” next to Cade Cunningham. This season evidenced that Pistons need to surround Cade with shooting, length, and defense. Many draft analysts have pointed to Zaccharie Riscaher to meet those immediate needs. But, is there perhaps a way to address those needs at a discount rather than using a high lottery pick that, in most years, would have likely yielded a star level prospect?

There are six different teams this year that could potentially have two picks in the first round of the draft. Take the New Orleans Pelicans for instance. If the season were to end today, the Pelicans have their own pick positioned at twenty-four as well as the Lakers’ first round pick, positioned at fourteen (although the Pelicans have the option to defer this pick to 2025 – a much better draft class). If the Pistons were to land a top 2 pick in the draft it certainly would not be unwise for the front office to give the Pelicans, or other teams with multiple picks this year like the Trail Blazers or Thunder, a call. 

The Pelicans are an interesting case as they will be in need of a center after this season. Jonas Valanciunas is in the final year of his contract and New Orleans could be poised to make a significant move with all the assets they possess. Perhaps, they could fill that gap with a defensive big man that can also space the floor. This would allow the efficient, free-flowing usage of their point forward Zion Williamson. That fits the mold of a prospect who many draft experts believe to be the number one pick this year – Alex Sarr. 

Many believe Alex Sarr is the best available at the first pick because of the ceiling of his two-way ability as a shot blocker and floor spacer. No NBA team in the Lottery, including the Pistons, should immediately disregard a prospect like Sarr. However, it is a lot more likely, than not, that the Pistons are to target wings instead of a center when they appear to be committed to the potential of Jalen Duren. If the Pistons were to, in fact, trade back with the Pelicans in exchange for the fourteenth and twenty fifth picks, then there is an abundance of prospects that fill the needs of the team similar to that of the abilities of Zaccharie Riscaher. 

One wing that comes to mind is Dalton Knecht. The twenty-three-year-old wing from Tennessee is a dynamic shooter and scorer in a physical SEC. This season he averaged a striking 39% from three on high volume (6.3 attempts per game). Although he would not have the ball in his hands as much as his current role for the Volunteers, Knecht could serve as a great complimentary piece in a Cade led offense as a movement shooter and pull up threat, something the Pistons desperately require. Several draft analysts target Knecht to go in the seven to fifteen range of their mock drafts – a range in play for the Pistons if they choose to trade back. 

Other wing prospects projected in the latter half of the first round that could fit around Cade Cunningham are players like Tristan Da Silva from Colorado, Johnny Furphy from Kansas, Kyshawn George from Miami, and Alex Kararban from Connecticut. While some of these names are on the older side, compared to most that go in the lottery, the Pistons should emphasize acquiring players that are NBA ready today. The days of drafting and developing younger, higher-ceiling talent have passed for the Pistons who will be in year five of their rebuild.  

The bottom line - the Pistons’ scouting report of this year’s draft should absolutely not be limited to that of prospects in the lottery range. This draft arises a unique situation for the Pistons. While other years a number one pick would have guaranteed a “guy,” this year the Pistons front office will have to display some savviness. The odds have not been in their favor before – the time is now to make those odds as ascertainable as possible.