Detroit Pistons: 5 takeaways from their chaotic and bizarre offseason
By Duncan Smith
The draft was good for the Detroit Pistons
Nothing in the NBA should be viewed in a vacuum, but if we could slice off the draft and analyze it as its own distinct entity, things would look pretty good for the Pistons. They entered draft day with just one pick, the seventh overall slot, and they ended up with Nos. 7, 16, 19 and 38 by the time all was said and done.
The Pistons picked Killian Hayes at seven, and if he’s the only thing that sticks from this offseason that alone could make this all go down as a success. While LaMelo Ball is the most heralded point guard prospect in this class, Hayes might actually be the best. Time will tell, but the Pistons should feel great about the fact that he was available and that they did indeed not outthink themselves (like picking Luke Kennard over Donovan Mitchell in 2017) and made the right pick that fell into their hands.
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Isaiah Stewart was a headscratcher of a selection at 16, but should have been the warning sign that the new front office views centers as desirable commodities rather than an artifact of a bygone era. He also may have been better suited to go 38th than 16th, considering he was more of a late-first prospect. Still, he should be able to provide some interior force and toughness.
Saddiq Bey went 19th and will provide some sharpshooting from the outside, and 38th overall pick Saben Lee is an athletic tour de force who could end up spending much of the season with the Grand Rapids Drive in the G League.
So we start this exercise on a high note, but it’s time to get into the bad and the ugly of the Detroit Pistons offseason.