The Pistons hired general manager Troy Weaver because of his reputation for evaluating young talent, so Omar Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press looked into Weaver’s track record with the Thunder to get clues for this year’s draft. Detroit holds the No. 7 pick in a draft that appears unpredictable after the first two or three choices.
Weaver has a history of taking athletic players with long wingspans, Sankofa notes. His standout selection was Russell Westbrook with the fourth pick in 2008, and the pattern extends with first-rounders such as Serge Ibaka, Reggie Jackson, Steven Adams, Andre Roberson, Josh Huestis, Terrance Ferguson and Darius Bazley. Weaver also signed Luguentz Dort, a similar player, after he went undrafted last year.
Sankofa believes former Memphis center James Wiseman and Georgia guard Anthony Edwards are the best fits for Weaver’s philosophy, but both are expected to be taken well before the Pistons’ turn. Auburn’s Isaac Okoro, possibly the draft’s best wing defender, could be an alternative, along with guard RJ Hampton and Florida State forward Patrick Williams.
There’s more from the Central Division:
- With the Bulls holding the No. 4 pick, Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times looks at four potential selections and their possible impact on the organization. LaMelo Ball would challenge Coby White for the starting point guard job right away and could open the door for a Zach LaVine trade that would create cap room to add a free agent next summer. Edwards could be the future shooting guard, which would also make LaVine expendable, while Wiseman would give the team a true center and leave Wendell Carter and Lauri Markkanen battling to become the starting power forward. Deni Avdija fills the greatest need for Chicago and would eventually take over for Otto Porter Jr.
- At least one draft expert believes Avdija would be a perfect fit for the Bulls, relays Rob Schaffer of NBC Sports Chicago. Appearing on the Bulls Talk podcast, Spencer Pearlman, a former draft consultant with the Suns, says Avdija is versatile enough to handle either forward slot and plays bigger than his 6’9″ size.
- Although the Knicks have interest in free agent guard Justin Holiday, returning to the Pacers is his first option, tweets J. Michael of The Indianapolis Star. Michael also states that assistant coach Bill Bayno will remain with Indiana under new coach Nate Bjorkgren (Twitter link) and the organization has hired Ted Wu as a capologist (Twitter link).
As I said 3 months ago
Top 4 are locked up
Wiseman
Edwards
Ball
Avdija
Sounds about right. Ball could move down a few spots. Not much coming out that another player is moving way up the draft.
Ball goes at 1
The most interesting to me is that Knicks trade up
Knicks get Ball
Wolves get 8 and Knicks 2021 top-3 protected.
I think the Knicks have to throw in another 1st to get that done. 7 spots is a long way to move up at the top of the draft, especially if there is a bidding war over the top 2 picks.
I don’t think they necessarily have to throw in another 1st. I think some combo of Knox/DSJ/Ntikilina would probably be moved instead.
Bulls: Maarkenan is too soft. Draft Wiseman and put Carter at PF. Deal Lauri for a sharp shooter off the bench
Markkanen was just previously averaging about 20 and 10 when he was actually used in a system and used properly..
He has a bit of an injury history, but you dont just give up on talent like that because they’ve been used incorrectly..
Markkanen was disinterested and was basically being used as solely a 3pt. shooter standing around the perimeter. He needs to be in pick n rolls, used down low, handling the ball a bit, and then also spotting up. He’s a very versatile player offensively and rebounds well, Boylen just didnt know how to use him…Nor did he even have a system in Chicago..
Everyone should allow these guys the chance to be coached by Donovan, before making any trash decisions. Markkanen and Carter Jr. were relegated to sparing offensive roles under Boylen, and LaVine was the primary focus offensively. They need more ball movement, and they need to get their bigs more involved in the offensive game plan..
Perhaps. Or maybe they are just not that good. Donovan should reveal the poseurs.
If I was the Wolves and the Knicks REALLY wanted that pick, I’d demand their UNprotected 2021 pick and I bet they’d get it. Be a great trade for Minny, but if I was the Knicks, I’d stick with my pick and hope that Haliburton or Hayes was there (though the Hawks and the Pistons would probably take those two).