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Unlike last year’s draft, the Detroit Pistons are not in control of their destiny. There were no obstacles preventing the selection of Cade Cunningham as the overall winner.
It’s easy when you win the lottery.
It’s harder to draft when you don’t have a top 3 pick, and it’s impossible to tell who will be available when the Pistons pick fifth overall in Thursday’s draft.
Any movement in front of the Pistons in the draft order affects their decision tree. They will spend the next two days completing the last part of their preliminary design preparations. On Thursday they will be prepared for whatever happens.
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“There’s still a lot of work to do — meetings and the board setting and going through different parts of the process that we’re articulating to come up with the best scenarios,” Troy Weaver said during his pre-draft availability at the Pistons Performance Center on Monday. “At five you are at the mercy of the board. It’s not like we can make first choice. At five we are at the mercy of the board. We need to have several scenarios ready.”
Weaver said he has between seven and nine players and is happy with the Pistons’ picks. That list likely includes Purdue guard Jaden Ivey, who confirmed he trained for the Pistons and Orlando Magic during his Monday availability, or Keegan Murray, who met with the Pistons in Detroit last week. There also remains the possibility that Jerami Grant will be moved on or before draft night, earning the Pistons an additional first-round pick.
Here are the key takeaways from Weaver’s press conference:
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Pistons prioritize long-term uptrend
The rebuilding of the Pistons is far from complete. Cunningham’s draft last year gave the franchise a potential superstar to build around, but they’ll need at least one other high-ranking player alongside him and improved roster depth to comfortably make the playoffs in the future.
Weaver confirmed the Pistons are looking to draft the player with the greatest long-term advantages on Thursday.
“We’re going to bring in the best player who we think has the greatest potential over the long term, but you would definitely hope he could make a contribution,” he said. “We want the best player for the long haul.”
One could assume that the Pistons are all over Ivey, one of the most explosive guards in the draft and who is believed to have a superstar top. It could also mean that Kentucky winger Shaedon Sharpe, who the Pistons recently drafted and is in the mix for fifth pick, has a leg up.
But Weaver also noted that he doesn’t believe in the idea that age can limit a player’s cap. That’s good news for Murray, who will be 22 at the start of his rookie season.
“For me, the uptrend is a growth mindset,” Weaver said. “I’m not signing, ‘The guy’s a 23-year-old and he can’t grow, has no advantage.’ Or there are some boys who are 19 or 18 and who limit themselves. I saw some young players and said: “It’s going to take a while because he just doesn’t get it.” It’s just the mental aspect of it and how the player approaches things and where he’s been, how he’s approaching and what’s untapped.”
Weber braces for potentially messy draft
The 2021 draft had several upsets in the lottery. The Toronto Raptors selected Scottie Barnes fourth overall in place of Jalen Suggs, who is widely considered the fourth pick in the draft. And the San Antonio Spurs got Joshua Primo, who was at best predicted as a late first-round pick, with the 12th pick.
The 2022 draft could also have surprises in store. The Oklahoma City Thunder are rumored to be interested in second-pick Ivey, and the Sacramento Kings are a wild card. Will they take Ivey or Murray, or trade fourth choice for immediate help?
Weaver said anything can happen and the Pistons don’t get caught by curve balls.
“You have to be prepared for that,” Weaver said. “I remember many years ago D’Angelo Russell jumped up and made two. That’s why I’m a little excited by so many reports trying to figure out what choice everyone has now, it’s ridiculous. No, you have to be prepared for anything to happen. Because if you don’t and you don’t get your work done, then someone falls down that you didn’t get your work done on, then you’re stuck. So no, we assume something is happening above us. ”
Cunningham’s presence should allay any fit concerns
The Pistons won the lottery at the right time. Cunningham was one of the most versatile players in recent draft history, and this past season showed that versatility. Establishing himself as their premier all-around playmaker, he was equally comfortable scoring a goal or passing it to his teammates. He defends, rebounds and also took on a leadership role.
With Cunningham already in tow, the Pistons aren’t worried about drafting a player to suit him. Cunningham fits next to most players.
“There isn’t a player that we look at that couldn’t be a match for Cade,” Weavers said. “Absolutely. Its versatility gives everyone we design the ability to fit them. Designing it has made it easier not to have to worry so much about fit.”
Contact Omari Sankofa II at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @omarisankofa. The Freie Presse has launched a new digital subscription model. Here’s how to get access to our most exclusive Pistons content. Read more about the Detroit Pistons and sign up for our Pistons newsletter.
