Post-lottery Mock NBA Draft: One week later for the Minnesota Timberwolves

For the Detroit Pistons, being able to get arguably their top choice after falling two slots would be a huge win. Killian Hayes is everything the Pistons have been looking for since the Chauncey Billups era (all due respect to Reggie Jackson).

Admittedly he will grate on coach Dwane Casey, who insists on defensive competence to get on the court but Hayes is already ready to do so much else. Playing him alongside Bruce Brown will help mitigate some of those issues. Hayes thrives in the pick-and-roll and imaging him running that offense alongside pending free agent Christian Wood while the team continues to rebuild should be exciting for fans in the Motor City.

Sure it sucks that the New York Knicks dropped in the lottery again but this mock is going much better for them as one of the point guards fell to them this time around. The Dennis Smith Jr. era is not what the previous regime had hoped it would be and it is time for a change already.

Tyrese Haliburton would be just what Knicks fans have been pining for from that position. He is a fantastic playmaker and will get Kevin Knox, RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson in places to succeed. He is already a smart defensive player and is like a coach on the floor, exactly what new coach Tom Thibodeau will want in a rookie.

For a team in desperate need of defense while being loaded with shooting Devin Vassell will be a welcome addition. Strong defensive wings are an essential part of any contending team. For better or worse that is what the Wizards think they are with John Wall and Bradley Beal back healthy.

Vassell is just a smart 3-and-D wing and will have a career in this league for years thriving off of those two skills. As he continues to develop he has the potential to grow into the role as a secondary scorer on a team led by Beal.