18. Detroit Pistons – Domantas Sabonis (Gonzaga)
The Detroit Pistons have a couple of needs to fill and they get one of them in Domantas Sabonis. He is a big, strong forward that has the ability to play in the post, the midrange and on pick-and-rolls.
Sabonis, 20, had a monster sophomore season at Gonzaga averaging 17.6 points and 11.8 rebounds. His production doubled from his freshman season to his sophomore season, and he began developing an outside shot. He was 5-for-14 (35.7 percent) from three-point range, which gives him something to build off of.
Sabonis will be a force in the post with his 6-foot-10, 231 pound frame. He has the strength and size to matchup against NBA forwards and centers. He will also move well in the pick-and-roll game, and he can pop out and hit a midrange shot.
Defensively, Sabonis has a lot of room to grow. His lack of athleticism hurts his ability to stay in front of quicker forwards and protect the rim. In the post he benefits from getting good positioning, which also helps him pull down rebounds at a 20.7 percent rate, and 28.2 percent defensive rate.
Detroit needs a forward that has a midrange game, and with Sabonis he has the ability to expand his game to play on the perimeter as he develops. Conditioning is going to be key for Sabonis, who needs to add quickness and agility to improve on the defensive end.
Next: 19. Denver Nuggets