Detroit Pistons: 4 keys to success this season

Detroit Pistons goal No. 3: Develop the rookies

It might be the third goal, but it’s the most important. No matter whether Jerami Grant and Mason Plumlee work out as free agent signings, or if Christian Wood goes on to flourish elsewhere: if Killian Hayes turns into a star, this offseason was a success.

The Pistons drafted him seventh overall when he slid to them on the board, and he’s expected to begin the preseason on Friday as the starting point guard. He was debatably the best or second-best point guard in this draft class (depending on what you think of LaMelo Ball), and on some big boards, he was at or near the top of the order.

Weaver had a draft strategy that involved getting as many lottery tickets as possible after getting Hayes. He selected Stewart 16th, which was a bit of a reach, but there could be some logic considering the next thing they did was trade Luke Kennard and four second-round picks to the LA Clippers for the 19th pick which they used on Saddiq Bey.

The rationale could be: They had several wings they expected to be available at 19, and they would choose whichever was available at that spot when it came up, but they didn’t want to take a chance on Stewart getting snapped up and missing their chance at him.

Their final draft pick was Saben Lee, selected 38th overall via the Utah Jazz.

Last season was an on-court disaster for the Pistons thanks to a million injuries, but every young player who saw action got better. This season is going to be a developmental challenge for Dwane Casey, but he’s fully delivered at every turn when it comes to coaching up his youngsters.