Draft week has finally arrived.
And for the first time in six years, the Detroit Pistons aren’t picking in the lottery. They’re not even selecting in the first round as their pick is under the control of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
After last season’s major turnaround and trip to the playoffs, there’s quite a bit of momentum behind the Pistons.
So even though the first round of the draft on Wednesday looks like it’ll be slow for the Pistons, the near future looks promising for the organization.
Detroit is currently set to pick just once in the draft at No. 37 overall (seventh pick in the second round), so there’s going to be a lot of names off the board before they get to pick a new roster member.
Even so, mock drafts have begun favoring Kentucky’s hot-shooting Koby Brea as a possible option for the Pistons. Brea spent four years at Dayton before concluding his college career with the Wildcats, where he averaged a career-high 11.6 points per game, while knocking down 43.5% of his threes and 91.4% of his foul shots.
There are still plenty of other names to keep an eye on. The most common attribute among players getting mocked to the Pistons is experience.
Detroit is in a playoff window now, so getting 18 or 19-year-old projects probably isn’t at the top of the team’s list of needs.
Getting a veteran who could possibly impact the team right away will likely be the move for the Pistons.
Here is a look at who the latest two-round mock drafts are projecting for the Pistons with the 37th pick.
ESPN
Jamir Watkins, SG/SF, Florida State, senior
Yahoo Sports
Koby Brea, SG/F, Kentucky, senior
“The Pistons need more shooters and Brea projects as a shooting specialist who has a clear path to becoming a rotation player because of his highly sought after skill. But in order to avoid being a weak link on defense, he’ll need to make improvements to his athleticism.”
The Athletic
John Tonje, SF, Wisconsin, senior
“For this to work out, Tonje is going to have to turn into a nearly elite shooter. I think he has a nonzero chance of getting there...The key for Tonje will be to maximize his speed and footwork. We know he’s comfortable enough handling the ball, and we know that he can shoot it. If he can just find a position on defense, there’s a pathway to success.”
NBADraft.Net
Micah Peavy, SG/SF, Georgetown, senior
FanSided
Koby Brea, SG/F, Kentucky, senior
“He lacks the length and athleticism to defend at a high level, but Brea’s perimeter shot-making alone gives him a path to specialist duties in the NBA. He can fly around screens and shoot on the move. He’s comfortable putting the ball on the floor, manipulating the defense and launching off a screen. Brea doesn’t get to the rim, but the perimeter jumpers are cash and he plays selflessly within a scheme. The right NBA team can get something out of him.”
Sports Illustrated
Koby Brea, SG/F, Kentucky, senior