It’s more likely that the Pistons will trade down in the draft than use the No. 5 overall pick to acquire a veteran player, according to James Edwards III of The Athletic. However, all options remain on the table for general manager Troy Weaver and his staff as the draft approaches.
If the Pistons keep the pick, they’ll be looking at five players that they recently worked out, barring some unforeseen development. Brothers Amen Thompson and Ausar Thompson (Overtime Elite), Cam Whitmore (Villanova), Jarace Walker (Houston) and Taylor Hendricks (Central Florida) are the potential targets at that spot, Edwards says.
According to Edwards, Ausar Thompson has fans in the Pistons’ front office, as he’s more of a wing player than his brother, though both provide athleticism and size. Hendricks may seem like a bit of a long shot at that spot but he made a strong impression with the Pistons’ brass, particularly with his shooting, Edwards adds.
We have more Central Division news:
- In the same piece, Edwards reports that the Pistons have been fielding calls from numerous teams on big man Isaiah Stewart. As previously reported, one of those teams is the Celtics, who are looking to upgrade their frontcourt. Stewart’s defensive versatility and improving perimeter game intrigues many teams around the league. However, he was part of Weaver’s first draft class and it would be surprising if the Pistons moved on from Stewart, says Edwards, adding that it’s more likely the Pistons will sign the 22-year-old big man to a rookie scale extension. It would be the first time since Andre Drummond that a drafted Pistons player has signed a rookie extension with the franchise.
- The Pacers are looking at two more draft prospects on Monday — forwards Toumani Camara (Dayton) and Maxwell Lewis (Pepperdine), Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files tweets. Lewis is ranked No. 31 on ESPN’s Best Available list and he could be a candidate for either of Indiana’s two late first-round selections (Nos. 26 and No. 29) or early second-rounder (No. 32). Camara is ranked No. 52.
- The coaching change in Milwaukee might alter the equation, but Jae Crowder‘s future with the Bucks is cloudy at best, according to Eric Nehm of The Athletic. Crowder will be an unrestricted free agent unless he agrees to an extension before free agency begins. Crowder has been searching for a big payday — a big reason why he sought a trade from Phoenix — and he probably won’t get that from Milwaukee.
I think Utah would be really smart to move up.
I think Amen Thompson needs time to develop a jumper and establish himself in the league but I think he has really high potential. Give him a couple years in a small market team with no expectations like Utah.
The 9th spot is a good place for Detroit, Walker or Hendricks could slide down to you, or grab a shooter like Grady.
Jazz do want to move up. Every team wanting to move down thinks their pick is worth 10 or a super star. Nothing will happen until teams realize that they will be lucky to get say two picks versus one.
Does Detroit really want more picks? Maybe
Jazz get say 5, 16 and Detroit 9 28
Makes sense for Detroit if they know they can get their player at 9. Bonus pick at 28
The jazz can then get their player of choice and still have the second at 16
The jazz have said they don’t need a third pick. It’s basically an extra pick to trade up with or entice teams with.
I actually like the prospects in that range. Less money with lots of upside. Maybe gg or Leonard or sasser
The suns are in desperate need for role players(now that they got Beal). They should honestly try to resign crowder. And crowder should swallow his pride and go there for the vet min, so he could boost up his stock again.
Pistons need a SF. Whitemore or Miller is the guy here unless they want Hendricks but then would have to trade wiseman or Duren. This isn’t hard Detroit. Or maybe Detroit should go for Henderson too. Trade cade and Duren for Henderson
That’s just awful. Better question to ask is what is included with Henderson for Cade and forget adding Duren. Besides Cade isn’t going anywhere anyhow. He was playing great until the shin problem early last year. Duren is a double double machine they hoped Drummond could’ve been had he believed in defense and Duren can actually hit a free throw or 2. Duren would be a top 5 pick this year had he not entered after his freshman season.
What Detroit wants is a veteran, nothing stated about a superstar. They’d like someone who can provide useful minutes as they’d like to compete sooner rather than later. I would guess they’ll look at their 40 million in space and see what they can do with it. They’ve got a few contracts they’d be willing to move around with young players who have yet to fill their potential in Hayes, Wiseman and Bagley. They also have vets like Bojan and Burks who will also be prominent players for them.
As for the 5th pick. I could see them trading back but not for a late 1st and the 9th pick. What does that do for them to move the needle? Think Washington with Kispert and their 1st for 5th. They have young players with a lot of potential in Cade, Ivey, Duren. They have a great misfit in Stewart who the team and city loves. What they need is spacing, defense, shooting. Oddly they have size and ball handling, athleticism, distribution covered
I would rather have Henderson than Cade. Then straight up. Detroit should play Duren at PF. They need one more piece of talent at SF. They can play Bogdon at SF until Whitemore is ready. Maybe get Beverley to help scoot. Scoot, Ivey, Whitemore, Duren, Wiseman is a good lineup of talent for the future. Sign some veterans and they are all set up to compete this year. I think Duren at pf because of wiseman. If they want Hendricks then they need to make a choice at C.
Duren and Wiseman can’t shoot the ball and neither can Bagley. They’re all effectively post centers. Stewart has some interesting traits and potential to be a stretch 4 with a developing jumper.
I still say Scoot isn’t a good fit. He and Ivey have a lot of overlapping akills and Scoot is a much poorer shooter.
Duren is 6’10 maybe. I would put him at PF. He is still really young. Have him start shooting now. If not then trade one. I would keep Stewart as the first big off the bench. I would then trade Bagley for a veteran center who can shoot. Miller, Whitemore or Hendricks are the only people Detroit should be looking at. Keep cade and hopefully he is okay. I think Detroit is so close. What do you think they should do?