The 2023 NBA Draft is tonight at 8pm on ESPN. For the third year in a row, the Pistons have a top five pick. The team has three emerging stars come out of the last two NBA Drafts. In 2021, the Pistons selected Cade Cunningham with the first overall pick. He had an amazing rookie season as he was running up for Rookie of the Year, but Cunningham missed most of his sophomore season due to a shin injury. In 2022, they selected Jaden Ivey with the fifth overall pick and then eight spots later (13th), they selected Jalen Duren. All three of these players have shown lots of promise and upside for a young team trying to gain some respect in the NBA.
This NBA Draft will probably be the least predictable since Troy Weaver took over as general manager in 2020. Detroit, who was the worst team in the league this past season, fell to pick No. 5 again this year, but the consensus is that there are close to six candidates who could be selected by the Pistons. The Detroit Pistons are widely expected to select Villanova forward Cam Whitmore with the No. 5 overall pick, but there is, of course, the possibility that he could slip further down the lottery. Jake Fisher of Yahoo sports said in a recent report that, “After Miller and Henderson hear their names called second and third in some order — with Miller seen as the likely No. 2 selection at this juncture — rival teams continue to predict Houston will select Overtime Elite guard Amen Thompson with the fourth pick. When Detroit comes on the clock at No. 5, there still seems to be a handful of names under Pistons consideration, as word has spread around the league that Villanova wing Cam Whitmore may perhaps slide toward the 10th pick of the draft.” Houston Cougars forward Jarace Walker told Fischer that he believes his range of possibilities starts with Detroit. Pistons GM Troy Weaver is also reportedly interested in Overtime Elite guard Ausar Thompson, as well as UCF forward Taylor Hendricks. As you can see there are many options for the Pistons to chose from.
According to the Detroit Free Press, Troy Weaver is, “Trying to rebuild this franchise in a way that’ll look familiar to those who love the Pistons.” Weaver spoke with media ahead of the draft saying, “We just haven’t won any games yet. As we get healthy, with coach (Monty) Williams, we’re very optimistic about (our chances.)” With so many different options available for the Pistons this should make for one of the most interesting drafts for the Pistons in a few years. The option of trading their fifth pick has also been floating around as well. So many decision, so little time.
