Detroit Pistons: 4 trade-down targets in the NBA draft

Detroit Pistons trade-down target No. 1: Xavier Tillman

There always seems to be a supremely skilled, intelligent, impactful player that drops too far in the draft. In the 2020 iteration, Xavier Tillman is that guy. Tillman is an extremely strong contributor on both ends of the floor, but his lack of eye-popping play will likely cause him to fall much further than he should.

Offensively, Tillman is a terrific pick-and-roll threat who regularly destroyed opposing defenses on the short roll. His decisive passing wreaks havoc on rotations, reminiscent of another under-drafted big coming out of Michigan State eight years ago. Adding to his value in the pick-and-roll is his terrific screening ability, which will make the job of young ballhandlers far easier than normal.

His shooting was underwhelming in East Lansing, but he has a nice stroke that brings plenty of room for optimism. He’s a bit undersized at 6’8” and he’s not an explosive finisher, so his shooting will need to come around to become a true threat at the NBA level.

On the other end of the floor, Tillman is everything you want in a defensive prospect. He communicates well, is a brick wall in the paint, and processes offensive actions quicker than nearly anyone in the draft. His 7’1” wingspan eases the pain of his height and should allow him to affect enough shots to be a very good defender at the next level when combined with his excellent awareness.

In the modern game, having a vocal, intelligent big with the potential to stretch the floor is imperative. And Xavier Tillman could fit very neatly into that role in his home state.