2018 NBA Draft: 3 reasons the Detroit Pistons should trade into the first round

The Detroit Pistons’ only pick in the 2018 NBA Draft falls in the second round. With roster needs and very little salary-cap flexibility, should the Pistons try to move up into the first round?

During the NBA Playoffs, the teams that didn’t make it are on the outside looking in, like the outcasts who weren’t invited to the cool party. When the postseason is over and attention turns to the NBA Draft, usually it’s the playoff teams feeling left out, while the lottery teams get excited about future possibilities.

This year, the Detroit Pistons are two-time losers in that regard.

The Pistons finished the regular season with a 39-43 record and missed the playoffs (again), but they don’t have a lottery pick either. That draft choice — which would’ve been No. 12 overall — belongs to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of the Blake Griffin trade.

Detroit’s only pick in this draft is in the second round, No. 42 overall.

In addition to not making the playoffs and forfeiting their invite to the draft lottery party, the Pistons don’t have much if any salary cap flexibility for the summer of 2018. That means they won’t be able to make much noise on the free agent market.

With the draft less than a week away, should the Pistons consider trading up into the first round? Here are three reasons why they should.