Detroit Pistons: 2022 NBA Draft Team Needs and Targets

With the 2022 NBA Draft fast approaching, we're taking a look at what each lottery team needs to target with their draft selections, continuing with the Detroit Pistons.

Jun 10, 2022

Welcome back to our No Ceilings 2022 NBA Draft Lottery Team Series!

Over the next few weeks, we as a team are going to dive into the needs and targets of each lottery squad. What are the weaknesses and holes of each franchise? Are there players targetable in the lottery who can help fill those gaps?

We will answer those questions and more 5-on-5 style, continuing with the Detroit Pistons!

Without further ado, let’s see where Detroit should look for some help with the fifth overall pick.

1. What do you think is the biggest weakness for the Pistons that NEEDS to be addressed on draft night?

Nathan: Shooting. That’s it, that’s the weakness.
Tyler Rucker: Detroit needs to get some more versatile nastiness on the wing. Yes, shooting would go a long way towards helping Detroit, but getting a player who can fill it up in multiple levels would go a long way.
Tyler Metcalf: Shooting and athleticism.
Nick: Shooting, shooting, and possibly also shooting.
Albert: NBA teams are always looking for shooting; the Pistons have very little of it.
Alex: Dynamic athletes at any spot on the court. Cade, Bey, and Stewart are all solid players, but none of them are dynamite athletes. Bully ball is fun, but not if everyone on the roster plays bully ball.
Evan: I’d be all in on adding another wing or guard who can play the Robin to Cade Cunningham’s Batman who can give the Pistons a secondary shot-creating and playmaking threat.
Maxwell: Shooting and athleticism/rim pressure.
Stephen: Athleticism and someone to take pressure off of Cade Cunningham. Defense would also be nice for such a young team.

2. Which position group would you target most for the Pistons: Guards, Wings, Forwards, or Centers?

Nathan: Ideally, either a guard or wing who can offer some shooting and secondary playmaking to take the pressure off Cade Cunningham.
Tyler Rucker: Guards. While there will be plenty of rumblings about Jerami Grant’s future with the team, the Pistons could take another step forward if they can add a running mate for the future next to Cade. Unless another name is on the board…
Tyler Metcalf: Wings.
Nick: I’d go with guards here for the Pistons. Cade Cunningham’s size makes it easier to slot in an off-ball guard alongside him in the backcourt, and their guard depth is a bit more suspect to me than their wing depth.
Albert: Guard, Wings, Center.
Alex: A guard who fits next to Cade better than Killian Hayes.
Evan: Guards/Wings
Maxwell: I lean guard, but you can’t have too many wings.
Stephen: Guards or Wings. Cade is versatile enough to accommodate either position group.

3. Is there any argument for the Pistons to draft based on fit around a core group of players, or should “BPA” be in play at all times for Detroit on draft night?

Nathan: BPA. The Detroit Pistons, in my estimation, have two long-term starters right now (unless Jerami Grant stays) in Cunningham and Saddiq Bey. Detroit needs more talent in any capacity, so BPA all the way.
Tyler Rucker: Detroit is hoping that this is the last time they are picking this high in the NBA Draft. Because of that realization, they need to simply add another solid piece to the puzzle. If Detroit’s front office can connect on another top-5 pick, they could see this team taking a nice leap in the right direction. Go BPA.
Tyler Metcalf: BPA. Cade Cunningham is that franchise player we all thought he was, and the Pistons need to add that certifiable #2 next to him.
Nick: BPA. This team just doesn’t have enough on their roster outside of Cade Cunningham to risk trying to draft for fit.
Albert: This team is years away from drafting for fit.
Alex: BPA. Even though I love Cade, this team is still far from being a legitimate contender so just take the best prospect regardless of fit.
Evan: I think the Pistons should go BPA. As Nathan put it better than I could, they’ve got two long-term pieces in Cunningham and Bey, but outside of that, it’s a roster lacking talent or certainty.
Maxwell: BPA. The luxury of having Cade Cunningham is that he can fit next to a wide variety of players. Plus, I think there’s a real chance Cade is “off to the races” by year three, so this might be one of your last stabs at another franchise-changing player.
Stephen: Detroit has to go BPA. With the aforementioned versatility of Cade, along with the versatility of Saddiq, getting the best player available is the move.

4. Who are the Top 5 targets for the Pistons to select with the fifth pick?

Nathan: Jaden Ivey, Shaedon Sharpe, Keegan Murray, Dyson Daniels, and Johnny Davis.
Tyler Rucker: Keegan Murray, Bennedict Mathurin, Jaden Ivey, Johnny Davis, and Dyson Daniels.
Tyler Metcalf: Jaden Ivey, Shaedon Sharpe, Keegan Murray, Johnny Davis, and Jalen Duren.
Nick: Jaden Ivey, Keegan Murray, Shaedon Sharpe, Johnny Davis, and Dyson Daniels.
Albert: Shaedon Sharpe, Jaden Ivey, AJ Griffin, Keegan Murray, and Jaden Hardy.
Alex: Jaden Ivey, Shaedon Sharpe, AJ Griffin, Bennedict Mathurin, and Johnny Davis.
Evan: AJ Griffin, Bennedict Mathurin, Jaden Ivey, Johnny Davis, and Keegan Murray.
Maxwell: Jaden Ivey, Dyson Daniels, Shaedon Sharpe, Bennedict Mathurin, and Johnny Davis.
Stephen: Shaedon Sharpe, Jaden Ivey, Bennedict Mathurin, Dyson Daniels, and Keegan Murray.

5. Who is an under-the-radar surprise target for the Pistons?

Nathan: AJ Griffin would, to me, be a shocker of a pick for the Pistons at #5 but could be a realistic target for the team. After all, Detroit needs shooting in the WORST WAY, so why not go after the draft’s best shooter, who can also further develop his offensive game off the bounce? The defense and concerns around his injury history are real, but talent-wise he was discussed by me high in the preseason for a reason. If he hits, he’s exactly what the Pistons need.
Tyler Rucker: This isn’t an “under-the-radar” target…but I think Keegan Murray to Detroit is a legit candidate to happen and probably more realistic than some might believe. Murray would slide in perfectly with this Pistons team, giving them another high-character player with versatility on both sides of the ball. While some might think Detroit could swing for some backcourt help, I still believe this could be the Troy Weaver special if Keegan is still on the board.
Tyler Metcalf: Bennedict Mathurin. I don’t think he has close to the amount of upside as the previously mentioned names, but his athleticism and shooting would be a perfect fit.
Nick: Dyson Daniels might be a bit of a reach for the Pistons at #5, but he has enough upside to be a BPA candidate at fifth overall while also being a nearly perfect fit alongside Cade Cunningham.
Albert: As one of the only people on planet Earth that still has Jaden Hardy in the Top 10 of his big board, this is a fun one for me. I still believe Hardy deserves to be in the Top 10 conversation. I love that he accepted a really tough challenge this season and gradually improved throughout the season. I believe his improved playmaking and tough shot-making could pair well with Cade and offer a dynamic one-two punch offensively that’ll be a lot of fun. I love the fact that both guys can play on and off the ball. I’m excited to see Hardy run off of a bunch of screens and get clean looks from three instead of doing the majority of the ball-handling and playmaking.
Alex: Pairing Dyson Daniels with Cade Cunningham would create a jumbo playmaking and defensive backcourt that would be tough to match up against on either end. However, the shooting concerns would still be there for Detroit’s roster overall. It’s not the cleanest fit, but if they are going all-in on big guards, Dyson is the guy that would surprise people if he went this high.
Evan: I’d be thrilled to see Bennedict Mathurin and Cade Cunnigham teaming up in the Motor City next season.
Maxwell: AJ Griffin hasn’t gotten much Top 5 buzz lately, but I could see it. He and Cade would give you two dynamite young scorers with size to build around.
Stephen: I think Bennedict Mathurin as a Top 5 pick would be shocking to many, but I’ve loved him all season. I’ve even taken him Top 5 in Mock Drafts this cycle. Think of him as a guard version of Bey: a player that can get hot from deep, but he can also give some strong defensive play. There is even some sound shot creation to his game. A catch-and-shoot threat that can defend and make smart reads is something that Pistons fans should love.