The Detroit Pistons were among the “losers” of the 2023 NBA draft lottery. Detroit owns the No. 5 draft pick in the Association’s upcoming draft despite having a 14.2% chance of obtaining the top overall pick — which tied Houston and San Antonio for the best odds.
NBA Draft Rumors: 3 Teams Who Could Trade Up For Detroit Pistons No. 5 Pick
Detroit now has a decision to make. Do the Pistons keep the pick or trade down?
Detroit finally chose its head coach, and it was a home run, selecting Monty Williams over three “finalists.” Milwaukee Bucks assistant Charles Lee, New Orleans assistant Jarron Collins, and Kevin Ollie were the three finalists that flew out to Los Angeles to meet owner Tom Gores.
Williams has a lot of work ahead of him. The Pistons finished with a league-worst 17-65 record. Offense was a massive issue for the Pistons as they ranked 29th in the league in scoring and last in field goal percentage. They were also 22nd in 3-point percentage and 25th in turnovers.
Detroit wasn’t great on the defensive end. The Pistons were 27th in scoring defense and 26th in defensive field goal percentage. They also had trouble with fouling.
Injuries were also a factor in the Pistons’ dreadful season. Detroit used 32 starting lineups and 22 players. Cade Cunningham appeared in just 12 contests, while Bojan Bogdanovic sat out 22 games, and Isaiah Stewart missed 32. However, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren had solid rookie campaigns, while Stewart showed improvement in year three.
The Pistons have 12 players under contract for the upcoming season. Alec Burks, Eugene Omoruyi, and Isaiah Livers have club options. RJ Hampton‘s $1.97 million deal is not guaranteed. Livers is expected to return. Meanwhile, the Pistons likely will exercise Burks option though he could be traded.
Detroit projects to have $40 million in cap space. The Pistons’ biggest need is forward, either small or power. A point guard could also be a priority, as Cunningham has the size to play the three.
What To Do With The Fifth Pick?
Detroit should be able to get a solid pro with the No. 5 pick, as the draft is pretty deep. While Victor Wembanyama is the presumed top pick, for good reason, and Scoot Henderson is believed to be a sure-fire top 3 pick. Other than that, it is anyone’s guess.
Brandon Miller is widely considered the second-best prospect in the draft, but he is dealing with the aftermath of the killing of Jamea Jonae Harris. However, it is possible that the 6-8 former Alabama star’s stock will drop after an upcoming workout for Charlotte and team executives decide that there are “character issues.” Portland and Houston own the No. 3 and No. 4 picks, and there have been rumors that those teams are interested in moving out of those spots.
If Miller falls to No. 5, as Mike Curtis of The Detroit News believes could happen, the Pistons could regret not taking him. The 20-year-old is an elite-level scorer with lethal shot-making ability from anywhere on the court. Miller is an explosive athlete with great size and length for a wing. He is also an excellent rebounder and versatile defender with sound instincts.
Jarace Walker, Cam Whitmore, Amen Thompson, Anthony Black, Taylor Hendricks, and Ausur Thompson would be solid options for the Pistons. All five are highly talented, and each player possesses two-way ability. They all should also be able to contribute immediately.
However, Detroit may decide there is better value in trading down to get more draft assets. The Pistons also have the No. 31 pick in the upcoming draft. But they owe a first and a second to New York next year, leaving them with just a second rounder in 2024 (via Memphis/Washington).
Three Teams Who Could Be Interested In Making Trade With the Detroit Pistons
The Athletic’s John Hollinger and James L. Edwards listed three teams interested in moving up to No.5 and also proposed a trade to acquire the No. 5 pick by each of the teams. Oklahoma City, Utah, Houston, and Washington are the teams Hollinger and Edwards deemed as the most likely to work out a trade with Detroit.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The duo called Oklahoma City the most obvious trade partner for the Pistons. Not sure why unless it is due to the Thunder having a “treasure trove of assets.” The Thunder own the 12th, 37th, and 50th picks in 2023. They also own four first-rounders in 2024, four firsts in 2025, and two firsts in 2026 and 2027. The Thunder possesses over 25 draft picks from 2023-2029.
The Hollinger-Edwards proposal includes a swap of first-rounders this year, meaning the Thunder would pick fifth and the Pistons 12th. Detroit would also receive a first-rounder from Oklahoma City Thunder in 2024 and 2025. Meanwhile, OKC also gets Detroit’s second-round selection this year and Bogdanovic.
Analysis: I would be surprised if the teams worked out a trade. The Thunder are the youngest team in the NBA, and they are still formalizing their roster. While Bogdanovic would give Shai Gilgeous-Alexander a veteran running mate who gives them a 3-point threat, I’m not sure they would be interested in Bogdanovic. With such a deep draft, it may just be as beneficial for OKC to stay put. Or see if the Rockets, Hornets, or Trail Blazers are willing to do business.
For Detroit, do they only want two future draft picks to move back seven spots? The Pistons aren’t likely to compete for a playoff spot in 2023-24, but they just gave Williams a truckload of money. As Utah and Oklahoma City proved this year, anything can happen in a given campaign.
Utah Jazz
Like Detroit, Utah is in rebuild mode. So, the Jazz are genuinely the best trade partner the duo proposed. The Jazz own the No.9, No. 16, and No. 28 selections in the upcoming draft. They also own 15 future draft picks, including 13 first-rounders, from 2024-25.
Edwards and Hollinger’s proposed trade has the Pistons getting the Jazz’s No.9 pick this year and a first-rounder in 2025 in exchange for this year’s No.5 pick.
Analysis: If Utah likes one of the prospects they believe won’t be available at No. 9, they should make this deal. I wouldn’t say I like this trade for Detroit, as there is no value, and the Pistons need talent now. I would prefer the Pistons ask for the No. 28th pick in this year’s draft, even if they have to include their second-rounder this year.
Washington Wizards
Washington may or may not be in “rebuild mode,” but they are seeking a new identity and direction.
The proposed trade has the Pistons receiving the No. 8 pick, Corey Kispert, and Delon Wright. The Wizards would receive the No. 5 and No. 31 selections in 2023, along with James Wiseman.
Analysis: This deal probably makes the most sense, as each club gets something of value.
For Detroit, the Pistons get shooting and a veteran point guard who can start or be effective off the bench. Kispert showed improvement in his sophomore campaign and is known as a shooter. Kispert, who started 45 games this past year, averaged 11 points while shooting nearly 50% from the field and 42.4% (10th) from the 3-point line. Wright had a bounce-back season this year and is a highly efficient player who defends and doesn’t turn the ball over.
If the Wizards are to overhaul their roster, there is no better way than to get the player they want in this year’s draft. That is precisely what the Wiz would do by moving up. The 31st pick would give them three second-rounders this year, so they could package one or multiple (possibly together) of those selections and move up for another first-rounder. Wiseman would give the Wizards, at the very least, a talented young athletic big who could move into a starting role if Kyle Kuzma or Kristaps Porzingis is traded/left via free agency.
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