Complete 2018 NBA Draft grades for all 30 teams
Detroit Pistons
- No. 38: Khyri Thomas, Creighton (via Philadelphia 76ers)
- No. 42: Bruce Brown Jr., Miami
Despite lacking a first-rounder (No. 12) because of the Blake Griffin trade, the Detroit Pistons did fairly well for themselves on draft night, trading two future second-rounders to the Sixers in order to snag Khyri Thomas at No. 38 and then using their own second-rounder on Bruce Brown Jr. at No. 42.
Pretty slick work there by the Pistons, getting a couple of solid guard prospects midway through the second round in Khryi Thomas (trade with Philly for two future seconds) and Bruce Brown (taken 42nd overall by Detroit).
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) June 22, 2018
Thomas lacks size at 6’3″, but he makes up for it in length with a 6’10” wingspan. He’s one of the best point-of-attack defenders in the entire draft class and brings a much-needed skill — 3-point marksmanship — to a roster in dire need of it. He needs to improve his ball-handling and playmaking, but this is a great pick for the team’s backcourt depth, especially this late in the pecking order.
As for Brown, he’s a tenacious defender who probably shouldn’t have fallen so far. He’s the inverse of Thomas, lacking a jump shot that is inherently crucial for any modern-day wing. Still, this late in the draft, a versatile and knowledgeable defender like Brown was worth the investment.
Grade: B+