Complete 2017 NBA Draft grades for all 30 teams
Detroit Pistons
Luke Kennard (No. 12)
Not much to get excited about for the Detroit Pistons, especially after weeks of speculation about Andre Drummond or Reggie Jackson trades.
Still, Luke Kennard is a solid, albeit ho-hum pick in that he brings three-point shooting to Stan Van Gundy’s squad. He’s a bit limited outside out that, contrary to all the talk about his playmaking skills, and he may struggle to defend at the next level.
That being said, shooting always translates. The biggest obstacle Detroit has encountered in its attempts to replicate the success Van Gundy found in Orlando is the lack of perimeter shooting. Kennard fills that need, even if he doesn’t come with the excitement of a Donovan Mitchell.
Certainly not a sexy pick, but Luke Kennard has been called the purest shooter in this year's NBA draft. He fills a big need for #Pistons.
— Aaron McMann (@AaronMcMann) June 23, 2017
If Kennard can just be passable defensively (big “if”), he’ll be a decent role player for whatever squad the Pistons trot out there for the next few years. He’s just not going to be a star, or even a two-way player in this league.
Grade: C+