Speaking today to reporters, including Rod Beard of The Detroit News (Twitter link), Pistons general manager Troy Weaver confirmed that the team hasn’t made a final decision on what it will do with the No. 1 overall pick.
[RELATED: Pistons Still Mulling Options With No. 1 Pick]
The Pistons have long been expected to select Cade Cunningham with that top pick, and the Oklahoma State guard remains the overwhelming favorite to be the choice. However, John Hollinger of The Athletic has heard whispers that Detroit wasn’t blown away by Cunningham’s private workout, while Marc Stein says Jalen Green‘s workout for the team “made the strongest of impressions.”
Even if those reports are accurate, it’s hard to imagine the Pistons selecting Green over Cunningham with the No. 1 pick. A trade down to No. 2 is a possibility if Detroit really likes Green. But for what it’s worth, Weaver provided a reminder today that not everything you hear leading up to the draft will be accurate.
“I don’t comment on rumors, but don’t believe everything that you read,” the Pistons’ GM said (Twitter link via James Edwards III of The Athletic). “… The rumor mill does nothing for us right now.”
Here’s more on the 2021 NBA draft:
- The Magic brought Stanford’s Ziaire Williams back for a second workout during the pre-draft process and some rival teams think Orlando may be eyeing him at No. 8, says Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report. Two league sources who spoke to Sam Vecenie of The Athletic also believe the Magic have Williams “very high” on their board.
- According to Vecenie, sources around the league view some of the draft’s top “older” shooters – such as Corey Kispert, Trey Murphy, and Chris Duarte – as likely targets for the Pelicans at No. 17. However, there’s no guarantee New Orleans keeps that pick after acquiring it from Memphis. Andrew Lopez of ESPN (Twitter link) says the Pelicans could look to move down again or may shop that selection for veteran help.
- There’s a belief that the Raptors are high on Evan Mobley, but they’d almost certainly have to trade up from No. 4 to get him and it seems unlikely they’ll be willing to pay that price, says Vecenie.
- Vecenie is the latest to report that the Thunder are fans of James Bouknight, who could be the team’s pick at No. 6. However, Hollinger is unconvinced that the chatter surrounding Bouknight and the Thunder isn’t a smokescreen — he has Jonathan Kuminga going to the OKC at No. 6 in his mock draft.
I think Memphis moved up to 10 to make sure they get Duarte.
I can see NOP, in the market for a PG,
Zeroing in on Cooper, as a pass-first guy
Probably why they felt comfortable trading back to 17.
I wonder what CLE would want to exchange picks with the raps, I’m sure the raps would do a future first, but I assume the price is much higher.
I’ve thought about this too. It would definitely take more than that, but if the Cavs like both Mobley and Suggs, then it might be worth looking into.
I like Moody for Grizzlies, if he stays at # 10 … I think they will try to move up for Kuminga with the Warriors team … I think the Pistons should, accept Thunder’s offer (if true) … and then offer the farm for # 2 …
SGA / # 2 to Pistons
# 1 to Thunder
Hayes / # 6 / Pistons 22 / Doumbouya to Houston
.. Detroit has a very promising team left.
SGA / Green / Bey / Grant / Stewart
Is that what you consider the farm? So the rockets miss out on the top 2 in this draft for two players who wouldn’t even be starters on a rockets team that only won 17 games, the 6th pick and a third pick in the 20’s?
So the Pistons turned down SGA and 6 for the 1, but you think they will take SGA and the 2 for the 1 in addition to Hayes, Doumbouya, and the 22?
Um, no.
Unfortunately that trade doesn’t help Houston at all. And besides, they already get the Pistons first round pick in 2022 if it’s not in the top-16 so what’s the point?
People are going to regret not selecting Kuminga. He’s best 2way talent in draft. Started playing ball late in life. He has plenty of upside, Plenty. Wake Up
I agree that he has plenty of upside…. but he currently has a pretty low floor too (he don’t shoot good). You’re probably not getting his best basketball for 4 or more years which makes one question the value of drafting him over someone who can provide some/more value during that time. The point in the draft where you are comfortable with the risk vs. reward is going to be different for different teams. I don’t think he’ll go top 5, but it’ll be interesting to see where he does go. There is nothing wrong with getting drafted at #6 or #7 (I don’t see him falling past GSW at #7).
He turns 19 in October. He has an NBA body now. He can’t shoot consistently yet. Yet avg 16 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast. He can be a lockdown defender next yr. He did this against men not kids in college. The draft is got best talent available. Not team fit. You can always fix that. You take best talent available. Not best talent you think in 4 yrs. Rebuilding teams can go with upside. Truth is Kuminga has as much upside as anyone. Out of top 5 picks. Only Green, Cade could have better impact. Neither is a better D player than him right now. Barnes got no business going before him. Neither does Bouknight. Neither does Suggs imo. No question he is top 5 pick. GS would love to have him. Kuminga is more ready as a 2way player, contributor next yr. Than anyone except Cade. But Green n Mobley could, Could have better careers.
I am not a Kaminga fan at all. I don’t see it happening. I’m not saying it can’t or won’t, I just don’t think it will. If I was a GM him and Sengun would be very last ditch picks in that range for me.
I think best two way talent isn’t the right phrasing. Potential maybe. Talent implies he is there now and offensively I don’t think he is.
Cunningham going to Detroit is far from a done deal, despite what most people seem to think.
The Pistons obviously prefer Green, but they know how much scrutiny they will face if they take Green at #1 and Cade ends up being the better player. If they want to trade down with Houston they will have to lower their asking price to something far more reasonable.
Nope
It’s also because of Doncic that Cade IS so hyped nobody wants to pass on a talent that 4 teams did the éven if Green IS awesome… Stop that construction vocab about ceilings and low floors that doesn’t mean sh*t