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Detroit Pistons: Grading Their 2015 NBA Draft

By Michael Manning

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Stanley Johnson (Arizona) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number eight overall pick to the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Stanley Johnson (Arizona) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number eight overall pick to the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Now that the 2015 NBA Draft is over, it’s time to take a look at how the Detroit Pistons did with some draft grades.

ALSO ON HOOPSHABIT: NBA Draft: Best Player Ever Selected in all 60 Spots

Pick No. 8: Stanley Johnson 

The Pistons didn’t surprise many fans or analysts when they picked Stanley Johnson with the eighth overall pick in the draft. Johnson will bolster the small forward spot for Detroit which lacked depth prior to the draft. Johnson is a two-way wing. He showed a respectable shooting stroke on offense and he exhibited lock down potential on defense.

Johnson’s defensive skills have been noticed by most scouts or analysts that have watched his game. DraftExpress explains why Johnson is such a excellent defender: “Johnson’s biggest appeal as a NBA prospect likely lies with his potential on the defensive end. He has tremendous physical tools here, including great size for his position, a strong frame, solid length, and excellent anticipation skills.”

Johnson could be the most versatile defender in the draft as he can guard four positions. His long arms allow him to shut down point guards and off guards. However, Johnson is also deceptively strong, which allows him to guard power forwards on the low block. A versatile defender like Johnson may be just what the doctor ordered for the Pistons, who ranked 19th in defensive efficiency last year.

Johnson’s offensive game is a work in progress. He showed range on his jump shot as he hit 37 percent of his three-pointers in collage. He also hit 49 percent of his pull-up jumpers. But Johnson struggled to finish at the rim during his one year at Arizona as he only shot 40 percent at the rim. If he doesn’t improve his touch at the hoop, then that percentage will only go down as he’ll find better athletes protecting the rim at the NBA level.

The success of the Johnson pick may be decided in lights of Justise Winslow’s success in Miami as the Pistons passed over Winslow to select Johnson. Overall, Johnson was a solid pick who filled a need for Detroit.

Grade: B+

Pick #38 Darrun Hilliard 

In the second round of the draft most teams look to draft players that will need a couple years of seasoning in the D-League or overseas but Darrun Hilliard will be NBA ready from day one. Hilliard has a NBA ready shooting stroke, shooting just under 40 percent from 3 as a senior. He is also ready for the NBA defensively.

Hilliard’s lack of athleticism hurts him on the defensive end but Hilliard is an extremely smart defender and anticipates passes as he had the third most steals in the Big East last season. While Pistons fans shouldn’t expect Hilliard to be an All-Star or even a starter, Hilliard has the tools to be a solid seventh man in the NBA for years to come.

Grade: A-

Next: Are The 2014-15 Golden State Warriors An All-Time Great Team?

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