Detroit Pistons: 5 options for pick No. 45 in the 2019 NBA Draft

1. Ky Bowman

Point guard is arguably Detroit’s biggest need. The Pistons can address it in the first round and would be justified in taking another floor general in the second round.

Ky Bowman looks like a good fit for the role, and he could be available when Detroit’s pick comes up at No. 45 overall.

The Boston College junior isn’t big at 6’1″, but he scores in bunches, he can shoot, and he can run an offense. Bowman is a three-year starter in the ACC who averaged 19.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.4 steals per game this season.

His shooting percentages weren’t great — 40.4 percent from the field, 37.4 percent from 3-point range — but consider that Bowman was carrying a pretty big load for a sub-.500 Eagles team that was in the bottom half of the conference in just about every scoring or shooting stat category.

In other words, Bowman was to BC what Kemba Walker is to the Charlotte Hornets.

Bowman put up 23 points, nine rebounds and two steals in a game against North Carolina this season; 25 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists and three steals in a win over Louisville; 37 points and nine boards in a win over Florida State; 44 points, 10 rebounds and five steals in an overtime loss to Hartford; and 38 points in a win over Wyoming.

After sliding into the playoffs with a 41-41 record and getting swept in the first round, the Pistons are rising but still far from being a legit contender. To keep improving, a lot of holes need to be filled surrounded Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond.

Casey’s system has Griffin in place as the primary offensive facilitator from the power forward spot, but the more playmakers and perimeter scorers for this team — like Bowman — the better.