What to do if they win the NBA Draft Lottery

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August 18, 2020
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NBA draft who could help Detroit Pistons"/>

In two days, the Detroit Pistons will finally know the fate of their 2020 NBA Draft pick. Will they rise from their current position, which gives them the fifth-best overall odds? Will they stay in the same slot as they did during their previous three lottery appearances? Or will the lottery gods move them for the sixth time in the franchise’s history?

Thursday’s draft lottery is the centerpiece of this week’s mailbag, which has a strong focus on the draft. After an unusually long period of off-season dormancy, the lottery could set the tone for the rest of the Pistons’ off-season.

On the questions.

[ Ex-Piston Will Bynum, now a trainer, has high hopes for prospect Killian Hayes ]

I wouldn’t put too much action on Blake Griffin by saying that CEO Troy Weaver wants the Pistons to be competitive next season. They have been consistent in their message that they are heading towards a rebuild or restore, which is Weaver’s preferred term. That doesn’t mean they want to finish at the bottom of the Eastern Conference rankings next year. It also doesn’t mean that they will go all in during free agency and try to win 50 games.

[ Pistons’ Troy Weaver must crush these 3 decisions to ignite rebuild ]

There are teams that have been successful by reducing their roster to the studs and undergoing a complete rebuild. Other teams rebuilt on the fly, swapping players and bringing in resources while remaining a playoff contender. It is too early to tell which path the Pistons will follow. Griffin saying they want to compete is vague enough to avoid reading it too thoroughly. Every team wants to compete. Ultimately, Griffin’s health will play a bigger role in how good or bad the Pistons are next season than any potential free agency signing.

As for the ability to trade on the downside, it depends on where the Pistons choose and how strongly the other teams want that choice. You would expect there to be more demand for the overall second choice than, for example, the eighth choice.

The Pistons have a number of young lads who will become excellent role players in the league. Depending on how you feel about Christian Wood (and the odds of the Pistons holding him back) and Sekou Doumbouya’s rooftop, they may already have two young players on the roster who may be future starters.

But none of the young players on the roster seem to be more than solid RPGs at this stage of their development. Wood seems to have the best chance of emerging as a starter next season, but he spent a lot of time in power and center last season. If the Pistons draw a big man, he can play alongside that player at any point. The goal for Detroit should be to get the best player available and understand any potential adaptation issues later.

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I’ve said it a few times this summer, but I think LaMelo Ball has the best combination of skill and edge to become a championship star. I have questions about his shot selection and his defensive effort. His shot rates are a huge red flag. But it’s a weak draft. He is 6-foot-7 with a wingspan of 6-10 and the most talented passer-by in the project. This is a “don’t think too much” choice. You can’t teach his size and directing skills. You can teach him to defend and shoot better. It’s my number 1.

Partly it depends on where the pistons end, but absolutely. Ed Stefanski told me that in the spring the organization intends to choose the best player available, regardless of position. Griffin has a guaranteed year and a player option remaining in his deal and Wood, an unrestricted free agent this offseason, can play both major positions. Fit shouldn’t be a factor in choosing Pistons this year.

The Pistons need good young talent, which is why Luke Kennard hasn’t moved yet. Kennard, a 40% career shooter from behind the arc, has improved both as a director and as a finisher during his three NBA seasons. The main reason the Pistons called him before the February trade deadline is because of his injury problems. Tendonitis in both knees has limited him to 28 games this season. It’s a genuine concern, as it will be eligible for an extension this off-season, and if no deal is reached, it will go into limited free agency next year.

If there are genuine concerns that Kennard’s knee problems will continue to limit his impact, it makes sense to move him while his value is theoretically still high. But Kennard was nearing his comeback before the NBA suspension on March 11, and is now in good health. If the Pistons are confident that his recurring knee problems are a thing of the past, a long-term deal is worth signing. His health will likely determine his future in Detroit.

Omari:Luke Kennard may be one of Pistons’ best draft picks, but Donovan Mitchell’s pass still stings

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