Detroit Pistons: 3 major takeaways from NBA draft night

We take a look at three broader takeaways from the Detroit Pistons’ draft after a busy first draft night for new general manager Troy Weaver.

Entering Wednesday, the Detroit Pistons owned just the number seven overall pick in this year’s draft. By the end of the night, they selected four prospects and Troy Weaver’s direction for his new franchise became abundantly clear.

The night began with Detroit acquiring the 16th selection and Trevor Ariza from the Houston Rockets for a future heavily-protected pick.

After drafting Killian Hayes at seven and Isaiah Stewart at 16, Troy Weaver made his biggest splash of the night by trading Luke Kennard in a three-way deal with the LA Clippers and Brooklyn Nets while receiving number 19 overall and guard Rodney McGruder. The Pistons used that pick to select Saddiq Bey out of Villanova and finished the night off by acquiring the 38th overall pick to take Vanderbilt product Saben Lee.

In trading away Luke Kennard after shipping Bruce Brown to Brooklyn, Weaver moved two of the more beloved players on Detroit’s roster. But he also began the long and daunting process of rebuilding the Pistons in a direction of his own.

There was a lot to process on a busy night and the debates will continue long past Wednesday’s hectic event. The 2020 Draft will be one that impacts the Pistons’ franchise for years to come.

To that end, we take a closer look at four important, broader takeaways from Troy Weaver’s first draft in Detroit.