It’s a strange year when the Pistons aren’t picking at No. 5
For starters, can I just say how amazing it feels to write this with the Detroit Pistons not slated to pick No. 5 overall in the NBA Draft for what seems like the 15th time in a row? Of course, this is the first time since the team traded a chance to draft Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for Blake Griffin in 2018. The NBA Draft still brings a ton of intrigue, and even more uncertainty beyond Cooper Flagg going first, and Dylan Harper likely going second. After that, chaos will surely ensue, and Pistons fans can watch for leisure. The team still holds the 37th pick, which essentially functions as a late first. Although in the era of NIL money and players having more (financial) reasons to stay in school, maybe those seconds in the 30s aren’t what they used to be.
The Pistons may also be able to use it to trade with a cash-strapped team that has a pick in the 20s. Enjoy your year off, Detroit fans, you have certainly earned it. And with that, enjoy the latest addition of our annual mock draft from Max Sturm and Austen Flores!
1. Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg
There shouldn’t be much surprise here. After the Mavericks traded away their franchise superstar in the middle of his prime for pennies on the dollar, they were naturally awarded with the opportunity to select one of the most complete prospects in the last 25 years. While the height of his ceiling can be debated, Flagg has few holes in his game, competes like a maniac, and will be able to impact winning on day one. -Sturm
2. San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper
While Flagg may represent his own tier at the top of this draft, Harper may be alone in one, too. The Rutgers product possesses a unique combination of size, skillset, and maturity at point guard that should blend nicely with the young pieces already in place in San Antonio. He attacks the rim at an already elite level, and his style of play translates perfectly to a spacious NBA.
Harper will need to improve his outside shot and backcourt fit with Da’Aron Fox will be something to watch early on, but there’s too much good there for the Spurs to think twice about it. In many other drafts, he’d be a solid #1 overall selection. -Flores
3. Philadelphia 76ers: Ace Bailey
There has been a lot of chatter that VJ Edgecomb may be the preferred pick here. With his high volume of drives to the rim, history shows him being a better analytical fit for what Sixers president Daryl Morey typically covets in a prospect. Bailey fanned the flames even further by recently cancelling a workout with Philly. However, don’t look too far into that, as draft historians will recall another prospect who once tried to derail his chances of getting drafted by the Sixers .
Bailey’s immense yet raw talent gives him a pathway to becoming the best player in the draft long term if all breaks right for him. And if he is able to hit that ceiling? Philly has lucked into a Paul George replacement that they can pair with Tyrese Maxey for the next decade, regardless of Joel Embiid’s health. -Sturm
4. Charlotte Hornets: VJ Edgecombe
This would be the ideal scenario for Charlotte: snagging the best athlete in the draft who fits well with their established young core. Edgecombe is a rocket in transition and can be lethal when leaving his feet on both ends of the floor. His burst and body control in the air definitely show shades of Jaden Ivey.
He shot OK from three for Baylor last year, and that will be what takes him to the next level; the defense and intangibles are there. Pairing Edgeomb with sharp-shooting Brandon Miller, who’s struggled getting to the rim his first two seasons, will give their offense some more color and burst. And he becomes another toy for Lamelo Ball to play with. -Flores
5. Utah Jazz: Konn Knueppel
Ah, how nice it is to see another franchise taking over the timeshare at the Pistons invitational, better known as pick number 5. The Jazz have endured some brutal lottery luck the last couple of years, and remain in search of a franchise cornerstone worth building around. Unfortunately for Danny Ainge and company, this search appears poised to continue into next year, as the surefire high-end talent dries up in this class after the top 4. The best thing that the team can do is take one of the safest prospects in the class, who fits with virtually any lineup.
The Duke product possesses good size and shooting to go with excellent ball skills. He is capable of making good decisions out of the pick and roll, and projects as a solid ancillary creator at the pro level. Furthermore, he shows more fight and foot speed on the defensive end than is given credit for. The Jazz could do far worse than to emerge from the draft with a player who will be a great complementary piece, and a solid potential trade asset down the line. -Sturm
6. Washington Wizards: Tre Johnson
Johnson was one of the bigger risers in this year’s class, and it’s easy to see why. At Texas last season, playing in the toughest collegiate conference, Johnson averaged nearly 20 points per game on 40% three-point shooting. He may be the best pure scorer in the draft when it comes to finding his own shot, combined with moving off the ball to get one.
The flaws defensively and overall shot selection are what have kept him out of the top tier in this class. The Wizards are still in consolidation mode with their talent and won’t be drafting for fit here – you’d think Johnson could end up being a cornerstone if things break right. –Flores
7. New Orleans Pelicans: Khaman Maluach
The Pelicans are a mess, and it’s unclear if they intend to build around Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy, and Dejounte Murray, or initiate (another) reboot. Maluach is the classic high upside big who took up the game later in life. His presence at the rim was felt during Duke’s final four run this past spring, and he was also one of the most productive offensive rebounders at the college level. As the 18-year-old continues to add strength to his frame, he will become that much more lethal as an on-ball defender. Whether he serves as a compliment to Zion and crew, or a building block of a rebuild, the 7 ‘2 center offers great upside at 7. –Sturm
8. Brooklyn Nets: Kasparas Jakučionis
With the Nets stuck in limbo (a place Pistons fans know well about) and few intriguing assets to build with, taking a high-upside player like Jakučionis makes sense. The Lithuanian guard has good size and playmaking ability, which was on display at Illinois last season.
Brooklyn is a team to watch on draft night with four first-round selections available. They could package some together to move up, but if they don’t, Jakučionis provides a ton of upside. -Flores
9. Toronto Raptors: Asa Newell
The Georgia product checks a lot of boxes that Raptors top decision maker Masai Ujiri has sought after in past drafts. He’s a long, springy athlete and possesses good coordination for his size. This translates into an ability to catch lobs and tough passes in traffic. Additionally, Newell has also shown some flashes of shooting potential from long range.
Due to his length and above-average athleticism for his size, the former Georgia Bulldog projects as a player who has the ability to guard 4 positions. While it may be tempting to go with a more ready-made player who can help Brandon Ingram and the rest of Toronto’s expensive roster win now, the best version of Newell looks to be a guy who can play real playoff minutes. He’s the type of high upside gamble that teams swing for in the middle to late lottery. –Sturm
10. Phoenix Suns: Collin Murray-Boyles
Murray-Boyles combines an old-school play style with a ton of physicality, which allowed him to excel last season at South Carolina. He’s highly impactful as a post defender and versatile on offense, showing great connective/playmaking feel.
His overall size and whether his strengths will translate to the next level will be the question. He also needs to improve his shot to have an expanded role that warrants a pick this high. Still, the Suns could use someone in his role who will bring energy on defense and can playmake for the wings around him. -Flores
BONUS, a prospect we like for the Pistons at pick #37:
Chaz Lanier: Lanier follows the footsteps of Dalton Knecht the year before as a small school transfer who lit it up from 3 at Tennessee. This one is pretty straightforward and an ideal scenario for Detroit. A relative of Piston great Bob Lanier, the 23-year-old shot nearly 40% from downtown on high volume. Though he is not an impact defender, he possesses decent size on the wing, which allows him to fit into a variety of lineups. His impact is twofold. For starters, he slots into Detroit’s rotation as a cheap potential replacement for either Malik Beasley or Tim Hardaway Jr. Down the line, he provides the organization with options on the wing as the team is tasked with consolidating the roster and making financial decisions for some of its young core. If at some point, Ausar Thompson or Ron Holland are used in a trade, or if both fail to develop a reliable jump shot, Lanier provides the team with another wing who can space the floor around Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. -Sturm
Johni Broome: Trajan Langdon’s first year establishing a functional roster with the Pistons may have shifted their draft strategy, opening the door for them to target immediate contributors in the second round. If they choose to stay put at No. 37, Broome would be an intriguing prospect to consider. The Auburn product is highly instinctual on both ends of the floor and plays with intensity that matches the Pistons’ identity. He’s an elite finisher around the rim and had success creating for himself in spurts throughout the season.
Yes, he is about to turn 23 years old, and the outside shot is very limited for a team that is designed to have shooters around Cade Cunningham – but Broome anchored Auburn on both ends of the floor en route to the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament and a Final Four berth. They don’t come close without him, and that means something. He’d have to completely change his playstyle transitioning to the league, but taking a flyer on a kid who now matches Detroit’s timeline and can come in and contribute on both ends immediately may be worth it.