Detroit Pistons: Trade Or Keep 8th Overall Pick?

The 2015 NBA Finals are one of the most hyped in recent memory. Game 1, on ABC, reportedly drew a 12.9 television rating, the highest-rated Finals opener since the staggering 21.9 during the 1988 Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Detroit Pistons.

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As the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors duke it out for the title, the rest of the teams around the league have set their sights on the future — in particularly, the NBA Draft.

With a little more than two weeks remaining until the draft begins, rumors of which directions teams will go and possible trade scenarios are more than prevalent these days.

And the Detroit Pistons are no different.

The Pistons possess the No. 8 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft; the question is will they use it or trade it?

Chad Ford of ESPN recently suggested that Detroit may be shopping the pick.

"The Pistons’ pick is being shopped around, though Detroit might be better off just holding onto it."

Keith Langlois of NBA.com gave his take on the recent speculation, suggesting that it was nothing more than that — a rumor.

"It’s pointless to speculate on speculation, but my educated guess is it was idle chatter by another team’s executive guessing that the Pistons might be gripped by a little organizational impatience given their playoff drought, now at six years.But nothing Stan Van Gundy has done to date has put the present above the future. Parting with two future second-round picks for Jackson? Not when Van Gundy envisions Jackson as his point guard for as far into the future as it’s worth gazing in NBA terms."

It makes sense.

Sure, Detroit may have or may be entertaining offers. That’s part of the game. At the end of the day however, Van Gundy has been on the job for just one season. He is assembling his team of the future and the best place to build for the future is the NBA Draft.

If Detroit does indeed decide that it is in their best interest to hold onto the pick, most experts feel the Pistons will look to add either a forward or shooting guard in the first round.

General manager, Jeff Bower, says the team will explore all options on draft night.

"“That’s one of the many options that we’ll look at, of course — just like looking at other options maybe in a different direction,” Bower said to the Detroit Free Press. “But at the same time, we feel comfortable with depth and with the possibilities that may present themselves at eight.”"

Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Justise Winslow (12) holds up a piece of the net after the game against the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2015 NCAA Men’s Division I Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Duke won 68-63. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

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Five forwards prospects that have been rumored to be on the Pistons radar include:

Justise Winslow, Kentucky
Stanley Johnson, Arizona
Kelley Oubre, Kansas
Mario Hezonja, Croatia
Sam Dekker, Wisconsin

In the weak Eastern Conference, almost any team could be just a player or two away from a playoff berth. In 2014 the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks all advanced to the postseason despite sporting less-than stellar sub .500 records.

It may seem tempting for some to trade the pick and land a player that can come in and contribute on a possible playoff push immediately. However, if I were a betting man I’d put my money on Van Gundy staying put.

Not only will he continue to build for the future with another young player, but he’ll also get a much better value play if he can find a contributor who will be on a rookie contract.

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