Official Detroit Pistons thread

[Mainevent]

Seems like Wagner's floor might #9 with Kings, but could go at #7 to Warriors. A local Sacramento media guy said Franz told him he's pushing 6'11" now.

[Cody_Russell]

Might have to watch more of the Warriors if they have a Jordan Poole and Franz Wagner rotation next season.
6'11" ... that will be a very skilled tall guy. Wagner was like 6'6" when he committed to Michigan.
Franz left a bad impression by playing poorly in the Elite 8 vs UCLA. Can buy the potential with him. Skilled... versatile... great defender. Along with Isaiah Livers, presented problems because Michigan could switch on defense.
Needs to find some consistency with his game. That's the key. WAY too flashy on offense.

[froot loops]

I'd be surprised if the Warriors passed on him at 7.

[Cody_Russell]

Hope Franz is selected there.

….

Cade day!

Couple last thoughts before the draft:
- Troy Weaver. Don’t forget how crazy the 2020 NBA Draft was for the Pistons. All of the trades with the Pistons. Will be disappointed if the Pistons don’t make at least one trade tonight.
- Herb Jones. I totally forgot about Jones…. Big name for an early 2nd RD prospect. Seen him mocked to the Pistons. SEC Player of the Year at Alabama. Versatile defender as a wing. Needs to improve on shooting.
- Aaron Wiggins. Watched A LOT of Maryland basketball down the stretch last season. Wiggins is a relentless defending guard. If he finds anything on offense, could be a quality rotational guard.
- Duane Washington. I’ve heard some recent buzz about Washington. Beast of a scorer at Ohio State. Envision his potential as a guard that can come off the bench and put up points. Another big name for the 2nd RD.

[jaadam4]

Happy Cade Cunningham day!!!

[Futureshock]

Hope Franz is selected there.

….

Cade day!

Couple last thoughts before the draft:
- Troy Weaver. Don’t forget how crazy the 2020 NBA Draft was for the Pistons. All of the trades with the Pistons. Will be disappointed if the Pistons don’t make at least one trade tonight.
- Herb Jones. I totally forgot about Jones…. Big name for an early 2nd RD prospect. Seen him mocked to the Pistons. SEC Player of the Year at Alabama. Versatile defender as a wing. Needs to improve on shooting.
- Aaron Wiggins. Watched A LOT of Maryland basketball down the stretch last season. Wiggins is a relentless defending guard. If he finds anything on offense, could be a quality rotational guard.
- Duane Washington. I’ve heard some recent buzz about Washington. Beast of a scorer at Ohio State. Envision his potential as a guard that can come off the bench and put up points. Another big name for the 2nd RD.

Rashaud mentioned Jones and Washington yesterday on local sports talk radio as guys he could see DET draft in the second.

If Wagner is 6'11" now that is a game changer. A big with his skill is awesome.

https://www.nba.com/watch/video/0727olympicrecap

Mo Wagner pushes Germany over Nigeria, 99-92

[Futureshock]

Happy Cade Cunningham day!!!

https://www.nba.com/

Dam it's good to see Detroit right at #1

https://www.nba.com/watch/video/cade-cunningham-pre-draft-workout

All-Access: Cade Cunningham discuss journey to top of Draft board

[Futureshock]

Consensus Mock Draft: Top 3 picks seem clear


In the final update before Draft night, the top is becoming settled, but then uncertainty abounds as teams make their final decisions.
READRELATED CONTENT

• Why Cunningham might be Draft's best prospect
• Green has 'excelled' at every level of play
• B/R: Final predictions for 2021 NBA Draft

[froot loops]

If Weaver makes moves to get an additional pick or whatever, it would probably be for a draft and stash guy he likes. It appeared like he hit on all 4 picks last year depending on how you feel about Hayes. Those guys are all going to merit minutes along with Cade and the vets.

[Futureshock]

2021 NBA DRAFT

Consensus Mock Draft: Top 3 seems clear in final look before Draft night

In the final update before Draft night, the top is becoming settled, but then uncertainty abounds as teams make their final decisions.


Drew Packham, NBA.com

Updated on July 29, 2021 1:58 AM

Josh Giddey has seen his name climb the boards after an impressive showing for Australia in an exhibition vs. Nigeria earlier this month.

Some notes in our final look before the 2021 NBA Draft, where the Detroit Pistons are on the clock with the No. 1 pick.

Remember, the Consensus Mock Draft is a compilation of the best mock drafts around the web. We bring them together to provide a solid estimate of how the Draft could play out (Last update: July 28, 11:32 p.m. ET):

• In our final look at the best mock drafts around the internet, the top three is virtually a lock: Cade Cunningham is the consensus No. 1 pick, showing up first in all 12 mocks that we scanned. Barring a major trade, it would provide a significant shock if the Oklahoma State guard isn’t walking on the stage first Thursday night.
• In our last look, Jalen Green had taken over Evan Mobley for the No. 2 spot in a notable shakeup. Since then, the other mocks have all come around and there’s now a complete consensus with all 12 showing the Rockets taking Green, who spent last season with the Ignite (G League). The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor says Houston is still pursuing the No. 1 pick, but if not, the Rockets will be able to pair him with Kevin Porter Jr., who became close with Green while playing together for the Ignite in the G League bubble last season.
• While Mobley dropped from No. 2, it’s highly likely the Cavs will snatch up the big man, as 11 of the 12 mocks have him heading to Cleveland (Kyle Boone of CBS Sports has Scottie Barnes here, with Mobley going 4^th to Toronto). Mobley is considered the best big man in the Draft and will fit in well alongside Jarrett Allen in the frontcourt.
• Suggs still seems likely to go in the Top 4 as nine of the 12 mock drafts see him going to the Raptors at No. 4. That’s the closest thing we have to a consensus outside of the first three picks.
• While Jonathan Kuminga had previously been a potential No. 4 pick, he has seen his name drop in the most recent mock drafts. In this latest look he is now slotting in the 6-7-8 range, with ESPN’s Jonathan Givony saying “question marks regarding his offensive efficiency and approach have crept into the conversation and allowed other prospects to surpass him.” Still, if the Magic don’t grab him with the No. 5 pick, you have to think they’ll be thrilled if he’s still available at No. 8 when they pick again.
• The Kings are looking like a likely landing spot for Franz Wagner. The 6-foot-9 swingman shows up in half of the 12 mocks, so there’s likely some intel that Sacramento is eyeing the Michigan product.
• The player making the biggest jump on the eve of the Draft is Australian guard Josh Giddey. Six of the 12 mocks see him going to the Grizzlies, who reportedly landed the No. 10 pick in a recent trade with the Pelicans. The Grizzlies may have to sweat this one out, though, since there’s chatter that Golden State is high on the 18-year-old guard, who ESPN’s Jonathan Givony calls “one of the best passers in the draft.”
• We’re getting more clarity on one player who’s been climbing up the rankings — James Bouknight. If he’s still available at No. 6, it’s seeming likely the Thunder will grab the UConn shooting guard to pair alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Eight of the 12 mocks we survey see him heading there, with three others pegging him a pick later to Golden State. Of course, OKC has a ton of flexibility with a stockpile of picks, so they could be in play to move up if a trade is to be had.
• Another player popping up this week is Oregon’s Chris Duarte, who now appears seven times to the Warriors with the No. 14 pick (only four had him here in our last look). He hadn’t shown up in the Lottery at all until our last look, but it’s possible Golden State thinks the 24-year-old can step right in and contribute right away. He did skip the Combine, which leads some prognosticators to surmise he has a promise from some team.
• On the international front, Turkey’s Alperen Sengun has seen his name rise in the most recent mocks. The 18-year-old Sengun is “one of the most prolific and efficient teenagers in European basketball history,” according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, and six of our 12 mocks see the Spurs snatching the big man up if he’s available with the No. 12 pick.
• Davion Mitchell has seen his name slide and he now seems likely to go near the end of the Lottery. All 12 mocks we survey still have the Baylor guard in the Lottery, with seven slotting him to the Pacers at No. 13. If the Warriors don’t take him with the No. 7 pick (which is the prediction of CBS Sports’ Gary Parrish), they could be in play to grab him with the No. 14 pick (as three mocks predict).
• Nine players appear in the lottery in all 12 mocks we survey: Cunningham, Green, Mobley, Suggs, Barnes, Kuminga, Giddey, Wagner and Mitchell.

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MOST COMMON PICKS


No. 1 (Pistons): Cade Cunningham (12)

No. 2 (Rockets): Jalen Green (12)

No. 3 (Cavaliers): Evan Mobley (11)

No. 4 (Raptors): Jalen Suggs (9)

No. 5 (Magic): Scottie Barnes (8)

No. 6 (Thunder): James Bouknight (8)

No. 7 (Warriors): Jonathan Kuminga (4)

No. 8 (Magic): Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody (4)

No. 9 (Kings): Franz Wagner (6)

No. 10 (Pelicans): Josh Giddey (6)

No. 11 (Hornets): Kai Jones (4)

No. 12 (Spurs): Alperen Sengun (6)

No. 13 (Pacers): Davion Mitchell (7)

No. 14 (Warriors): Chris Duarte (7)

Most common (above): Pick at which the player is most commonly projected, with number of mock drafts in parentheses. For example, Cade Cunningham is projected to go 1st in each of the 12 mock drafts listed below.

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Top 14 (below): To calculate the consensus, we award 14 points for every mock draft in which the player went first overall, 13 for second, continuing to one point for the final lottery pick. The player with the highest point total represents the top overall selection, which is as follows:
1. Cade Cunningham | Pistons


Oklahoma State | Position: G | Height: 6-8

Status: Freshman

Most Common: 1 (12)

Athletic scorer who can shoot or use his size to overpower smaller guards; should contribute immediately and eventually become a franchise-changing star
2. Jalen Green | Rockets


G League Ignite | Position: G | Height: 6-5

Status: G League

Most Common: 2 (12)

Fluid scorer who can get buckets in many ways; highlight reel waiting to happen thanks to his athleticism and willingness to attack the rim
3. Evan Mobley | Cavaliers


USC | Position: C | Height: 7-0

Status: Freshman

Most Common: 3 (11)

Skilled big man has the size combined with athleticism to potentially become a dominant force on both ends of the floor
4. Jalen Suggs | Raptors


Gonzaga | Position: G | Height: 6-4

Status: Freshman

Most Common: 4 (9)

Smart, poised athletic guard who is ready to contribute right away thanks to decisive playmaking and willingness to defend on other end

[Futureshock]

https://www.nba.com/draft/2021/team-profiles/detroit-pistons


NBA Draft Team Outlook

Draft Outlook

The Pistons had a tough year, as far as wins and losses, but it was time well spent in terms of player development and hitting a reset button. GM Troy Weaver got rid of any mixed messages, trading Derrick Rose to the Knicks and working a buyout with Blake Griffin. That further cleared minutes for an impressive crop of rookies: Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart, Saben Lee and (once he returned from hip injury) Killian Hayes. That crew plus Kia Most Improved Player candidate Jerami Grant need someone to organize their attack, to rally around, to shoot with range and defend. Detroit is sitting pretty to address much of that with the overall No. 1 pick.

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A Stat That Matters

28% — The Pistons got 28% of their minutes from rookies, the league’s highest rate. They were also the only team with two players on the All-Rookie teams.

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The Way To Go

It’s possible the Pistons could trade the No. 1 pick for proven help at multiple spots and/or future assets. But even just typing that makes it seem silly, given what they can add right now with their rebuild already underway. The consensus No. 1 guy is Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham, a 6-foot-8 wing with play- and shot-making ability. Cunningham is one of those players who should thrive swiftly swapping the NCAA game for the NBA, and some Pistons insiders believe he and Hayes – the No. 7 pick last year – can team up in the backcourt. Detroit also has three second-round picks – Nos. 37, 42 and 52 – to use for projects and depth, as trade assets or for draft-and-stash Euro prospects.

[BJK]

Hope Franz is selected there.

….

Cade day!

Couple last thoughts before the draft:
- Troy Weaver. Don’t forget how crazy the 2020 NBA Draft was for the Pistons. All of the trades with the Pistons. Will be disappointed if the Pistons don’t make at least one trade tonight.
- Herb Jones. I totally forgot about Jones…. Big name for an early 2nd RD prospect. Seen him mocked to the Pistons. SEC Player of the Year at Alabama. Versatile defender as a wing. Needs to improve on shooting.
- Aaron Wiggins. Watched A LOT of Maryland basketball down the stretch last season. Wiggins is a relentless defending guard. If he finds anything on offense, could be a quality rotational guard.
- Duane Washington. I’ve heard some recent buzz about Washington. Beast of a scorer at Ohio State. Envision his potential as a guard that can come off the bench and put up points. Another big name for the 2nd RD.

Herb Jones is a guy I’ve been keeping an eye on for the Pistons in Rd 2 as well. Very good athlete and defender (with a 7’0”ish wingspan). Actually played PG for Bama this past season and won conference POY. Not a great shooter and an older prospect at 22, but can come in and play right away. I also like really like Jeremiah Robinson-Earl as a savvy combo forward. He’s another Villanova kid, so he’ll be pro ready. Hoping they come out of the 2nd with some shooting and/or athleticism.

[The King]

Yep. Agree 100% on Herb. He can’t shoot for shit, but he’s an elite defensive player and can initiate with the ball on offense.

[The King]

EJ Onu is the other guy I like. Really raw and played at a lower level, but his measureables and AA are elite.

[Forsh]

EJ Onu is the other guy I like. Really raw and played at a lower level, but his measureables and AA are elite.

Yeah you found an interesting one there