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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