Detroit Pistons Draft Review

Current Roster
PG: Reggie Jackson/Ish Smith
SG: Luke Kennard/Darrun Hilliard
SF: Marcus Morris/Stanley Johnson/Michael Gbinije
PF: Tobias Harris/Jon Leuer/ Henry Ellenson
C: Andre Drummond/Boban Marjanovic

2017 Free Agents
Unrestricted
G Beno Udrih
C Aron Baynes

Restricted
G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
G Reggie Bullock

Who They Drafted
1-12 Luke Kennard, SG Detroit
The Pistons and Stan Van Gundy go into the summer without a proven off guard on the roster, and even if KCP is brought back, as seems likely, they'll still need depth. The idea behind drafting Kennard is a good one, considering that he is an excellent shooter, always a key in Van Gundy's offense but also may provide some value with his ability to handle the ball and pass. There is definitely some who believe that Kennard can be a primary ball-handler that will be able to fill two roles for the Pistons, backing up KCP but also playing alongside him if Reggie Jackson doesn't bounce back. This would also help to mitigate Kennard's potential defensive struggles, as the capable KCP can guard the best guard, leaving Kennard the easier assignment. Unless he can really become an actual point guard, Kennard's upside might be limited but he should at least be a role player going forward who's ability to shoot in a variety of ways, off screens, the catch, and the dribble should keep him in the league for a long time.

What They Need Going Forward
Besides the absolute necessity of bringing back KCP, the Pistons don't have a ton of room to operate nor a ton of space on their roster. What will be most important will be deciding if Reggie Jackson can bounce back and become the above-average start he once was or if that ship has sailed and they need to find another point guard (Ish Smith ain't the answer) though again, their resources will be limited barring a trade. They do have some assets to deal, especially they believe Stanley Johnson will take a step forward, opening the door for a trade of Tobias Harris or Marcus Morris, both of whom have definite value.

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2015 Draft Review: Detroit Pistons

2015-16 Depth Chart
PG: Brandon Jennings/Spencer Dinwiddie
SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope/Jodie Meeks/Darrun Hilliard
SF: Stanley Johnson/Reggie Bullock/Danny Granger
PF: Ersan Ilyasova/Anthony Tolliver/Marcus Morris
C: Andre Drummond/Aron Baynes

2015 Free Agents
PG Reggie Jackson (RFA)
C Joel Anthony
PG John Lucas III
SF Cartier Martin (player option)
C Greg Monroe
SF Tayshaun Prince

What They Did On Draft Night
Drafted Arizona forward Stanley Johnson 8th overall

The Piston's made a controversial but completely understandable decision to choose Stanley Johnson over Duke's Justise Winslow to fill their hole at small forward. Not only is it arguable that Johnson is a superior prospect, but he certainly fits Stan Van Gundy's system better as well. Johnson is taller, stronger, bulkier, and longer than Winslow and should legitimately be able to play power forward in the NBA as well as small forward. This is big in SVG's spread pick-and-roll offense because they can play big or small and still have four shooters on the floor. Johnson's ability to shoot off the dribble will allow him to create when playing small forward or completely devastate and power forwards that try to close out too hard. At Arizona, Johnson played out of position at shooting guard and was frequently on the floor with four other non-shooters (something his detractors conveniently ignore), so the burden was frequently on him to stretch the floor. Get him to his natural forward positions with other shooters on the floor and Johnson should be able to show more of his game. Detroit should look to acquire another small forward as insurance, but Johnson should play a bulk of the minutes at forward for Detroit. Winslow is a great prospect but he is undersized, at 6-4.5 in socks Winslow is the same height as Aaron Harrison, Lance Stephenson, Devin Booker, R.J. Hunter, Zach LaVine, Dant Exum, and Tim Hardaway Jr. among others. Most of those players are a stretch to play small forward, let alone power forward, which is flexibility that Detroit is looking for.

Drafted Villanova wing Darrun Hilliard 38th overall

Their second round pick however, is a little less defensible. Hilliard wasn't really a draftable prospect and Detroit certainly could have found a better player with an early second rounder. Hilliard can really shoot, hovering around 40% from three on a high volume of attempts his last two seasons, but besides that he doesn't really offer much. Hilliard is a below-average NBA athlete that isn't quick enough to guard twos or strong enough for small forwards, he plays hard on that end but might just not be athletic enough. Hilliard might stick as an end of the bench three-point specialist, he really can shoot.

What To Do Next?

Assuming they re-sign Reggie Jackson, finding a home for Brandon Jennings should be next on the agenda. Jennings would be an ideal bench scorer, but he may not be okay with that role, so Detroit should get what they can for him. Back-up center is an area of concern, preferably one that can shoot well enough to compliment Andre Drummond. Justin Hamilton is restricted, but would be a decent option. 

A bonus trade sure not to happen

Jennings to Indiana for C.J. Miles and Ian Mahinmi

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2015 Draft Preview: Detroit Pistons

2015-16 Depth Chart
PG: Brandon Jennings/Spencer Dinwiddie
SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope/Jodie Meeks
SF: Quincy Miller
PF: Ersan Ilyasova/Anthony Tolliver
C: Andre Drummond

2015 Free Agents
PG Reggie Jackson (RFA)
C Joel Anthony
PG John Lucas III
SF Cartier Martin (player option)
C Greg Monroe
SF Tayshaun Prince

2015 Draft Picks
1-8
2-8(38)

Team Needs
With the pre-draft trade of Caron Butler and Shawne Williams for Ersan Ilyasova, Detroit's needs come into sharp focus. Stan Van Gundy gets his stretch-four but now has a gaping hole at small forward, which was already a problem to begin with. Andre Drummond is a foundation piece at center, Illysova will be their primary power forward, Reggie Jackson is almost certain to be re-signed to play point guard, and flawed as they are, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jodie Meeks probably do enough to be passable at shooting guard. That leaves small forward, with only journeyman Quincy Miller to play there, and it isn't even certain that he is a rotation player in the NBA.  

Potential Fits
Luckily for Detroit, there are a number of talented small forward prospects in this draft, one or more of which will likely be available when they draft at pick 8. At least one, if not two of Stanley Johnson of Arizona, Duke's Justise Winslow, and Croatian Mario Hezonja should be available. All three would fit into what Detroit is looking to do. If Detroit looks to go off-board a little, Kansas' Kelly Oubre might have the most talent of any wing in the draft, but with a little more risk attached, which is why he ranks behind the other 3. Assuming Detroit goes wing with their first pick, look for them to target some frontcourt depth in the second, as they have no backup for Drummond and only Anthony Tolliver behind Ilysova, who has had injury problems in the past.

Mock Draft
8. Stanley Johnson, F, Arizona
38. Richaun Holmes, F/C Bowling Green

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Detroit Pistons Draft Preview

38. Spencer Dinwiddie, G Colorado Jr. (6-6, 205)

With only one pick in the second round, Detroit had little chance to make a huge impact on what is a pretty broken roster, however they did a good job with the pick they had. Spencer Dinwiddie likely would have gone in the middle of the first round if not for a season ending ACL injury. When healthy, Dinwiddie is a tall, skilled combo guard who can handle the ball, legitimately play some point guard, and shot 41% from 3 last season. The shooting is the key for Detroit, who desperately need even average floor spacing. There is risk that he never comes back fully from the injury, but in the second round it is a risk worth taking due to Dinwiddie's high skill level and what his shooting ability means to the Pistons. It likely isn't going to make a huge difference for Detroit's imbalanced roster, but it is a least a step in the right direction.

Projected Lineup

PG: Brandon Jennings/Will Bynum/Peyton Siva

SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope/Spencer Dinwiddie

SF: Josh Smith/Kyle Singler/Luigi Datome

PF: Greg Monroe (RFA)/Jonas Jerebko/Tony Mitchell

C: Andre Drummond/Josh Harrellson

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Draft Review: Detroit Pistons

First Round

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG Georgia (8)

Apparently the Pistons view Brandon Knight as a point guard after all, because nothing could reaffirm that more than taking Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a shooting guard through and through. If Knight is able to grow into his role as a point guard, then this a is a great fit for Detroit. He is a very good shooter and defensive player who will space the floor for the Pistons' bigs and provide solid perimeter defense, rebounding, and transition scoring.

Second Round

Tony Mitchell, PF North Texas (37)

This is one of the best picks in the draft and a perfect fit. Tony Mitchell, Andre Drummond, and Greg Monroe will be a forminidable big man rotation and allow the Pistons to always have an athletic, rebounding and defending big man on the floor with Monroe, who can struggle athletically. There won't be a ton of pressure on Mitchell, who can flourish as a backup. 

Peyton Siva, PG Louisville (56)

If the Pistons resign Jose Calderon, then I fully expect Siva to simply be a end-of-the-bench, practice energy, and towel waiving guy. What he offers is mostly intangible, though he is a pesky defender and good open-court player, Siva will be great in practice because he is such a hard worker and plays with infectious energy, which has value in practice and as a third guard, I can definitely see his pressure defense causing Knight to become a better ball handler facing Siva in practice.

Projected Rotation

PG: Brandon Knight/Peyton Siva

SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope/Rodney Stuckey

SF: Kyle Singler/Jonas Jerebko

PF: Greg Monroe/Tony Mitchell

C: Andre Drummond/Monroe

What Will The Pistons Do at #8?

Michael Carter-Williams, PG Syracuse So. (6-6, 184)

The rumors out of Detroit is that the front office prefers Brandon Knight as a shooting guard, so they'll be looking for a point to fill the Jose Calderon role for this team. Carter-Williams would be a great fit for this team because he's a pure point guard, unlike the myriad of combo guards Detroit has now. Also, because Carter-Williams has the size of a shooting guard, it will allow the Pistons to cross-match him with the 6-3 Knight, allowing him to guard point guards.

Trey Burke, PG Michigan So. (6-1, 187)

Burke would give Detroit their point guard, and his balance of scoring and passing would be a nice compliment to the bigs on the Pistons. Defense, however would be the issue. Burke is 6-1, and Knight is 6-3, which would give Detroit the smallest backcourt in the league. Burke might be a long shot for Detroit, but the relative safety and offense Burke provides could appeal to them.

Shabazz Muhammad, SF UCLA Fr. (6-6, 222)

Last draft, the Pistons took a chance on a former top High School recruit coming off a disappointing Freshman season on a toxic, overhyped team. Andre Drummond paid of big time for the Pistons and they may take a chance on a similar prospect in Shabazz Muhamad, who was considered a number 1 overall pick pre-season, but disappointed for the Bruins. Muhammad would fill a huge need at small forward for the Pistons, who traded Tayshaun Prince and Austin Daye last season.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG Georgia So. (6-6, 204)

If the rumors prove to be false and the Pistons want to keep Knight at point guard, then they may be looking for a starting shooting guard. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope would be a great fit because of his shooting ability and defensive chops, a perfect wing player to play alongside Greg Monroe and Drummond, to space the floor for them.

C.J. McCollom, SG Lehigh Sr. (6-3, 197)

I've seen McCollom mocked to Detroit and I really can't understand why they would draft another combo guard when they've already invested in Knight and Rodney Stuckey. McCollom is a scorer through and through, not a point guard, and if you try to make him into one you're taking away what he does best. Unless there is a big roster overhaul, McCollom doesn't make much sense for the Pistons.