The Detroit Pistons find themselves in a unique position as a franchise. After years of competing at the bottom half of the playoffs in the Eastern Conference, a trade of Andre Drummond paired with buyouts of Reggie Jackson and Markieff Morris signaled the team’s move into a rebuild.
Despite having Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose on the roster, Detroit seems primed to commit to a rebuilding process that has already seen them nab Luke Kennard and Sekou Doumbouya. With the potential for a top-five pick this year in a draft top-heavy with point guards, the Pistons could find the centerpiece of their future.
Pistons head coach Dwane Casey recently discussed the significance of finding a long-term answer at point guard.
“That is a very important position. To grow as a team, we have to have a starting point guard whether it’s through the draft or free agency to help our players – because if your point guard is growing and developing, that stunts the growth of everybody else.”
Casey did not mention which specific point guard the Pistons could be targeting. Slotted at the No. 5 spot in the draft lottery, Detroit sits at the bottom end of the projections for LaMelo Ball. Fellow point guards Killian Hayes, Tyrese Haliburton and combo guard RJ Hampton all could be in Detroit’s range as well.
But beyond not mentioned names, Casey did not even yet commit to drafting a point guard.
“There’s no decision been made as far as what position we’re going to go with because there’s some quality players that are going to be available in that area – and there’s definitely point guards in that area. There’s an abundance of guys that fit that bill and you have confidence in that can be somebody you can build around if that’s the direction we go.”
Drafting the best player available is generally the best strategy, especially considering the league is moving to a more positionless future with more guards, spacing and shooting. Ball would fit nicely on the court with either of Rose or Kennard and could be the player that takes Detroit into its next era.
