"Detroit Basketball!" Although the Detroit Pistons finished 23-59 last season, there is finally light at the end of the tunnel for Pistons fans. Cade Cunnigham, last year's #1 pick, proved that he has the game and the demeanor to be the foundation that the Pistons franchise has been lacking for quite a few years.
Now, the Pistons need to add pieces around him so that they will be ready to take the next step over the next few years. Here is a look at who Detroit selected in this year's NBA Draft.
Round 1, Pick 5: Jaden Ivey, G, Purdue. 6'4", 200 lbs (17.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.1 apg, 35.8% 3-PT FG%).
Jaden Ivey was the best guard in the NBA Draft. For him to drop to #5 to the Pistons meant that Detroit celebrated Christmas real early this year. He has the capability to play at either point guard or at shooting guard. His explosiveness to the rim gives him the potential to be an impact player in the NBA for many years to come. He will be able to interchange positions with Cunnigham very well because both guards are combo guards. He will have to cut down on his turnovers (2.6 per game).
Round 1, Pick 13: Jalen Duren, C, Memphis. 6'11", 250 lbs (12 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.1 bpg).
Duren can become the defensive presence in the middle that the Pistons were lacking last season. He will need plenty of time to develop his offense, but he should see some time off of the bench immediately.
Round 2, Pick 6: Gabriele Procida, G, Fortitudo Bologna. 6'7", 194 lbs (7 ppg, 3 rpg, 38.3 3-pt FG%).
Procida really needs a couple of more years to develop before he is ready for the NBA. The Pistons took a chance on him because his shooting percentages are at a high level, but he has not figured out how to get open to make those shots because he only averaged seven points a game.
Since Ivey dropped to #5, the Pistons did not even have to trade up to #4 to draft him. Thus, Detroit was able to use all of the trade capital that they would have used to move up to #13 and select Duren. Grade: A.
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