Can't Wait for May 19th...

[GreekAlex]

May 19th is the date for the Draft Lottery and I'm expecting some good luck! I also think once the draft order is set it will become clearer what players will be gone before the Pistons pick and any possible trade partners based on draft position.

As much as we all have our favorites in terms of draft prospects, I wouldn't mind moving the pick for a young player. If Sigler, DJ Augustine and a future 2nd round pick can net Reggie Jackson and his restricted rights, I wonder what could be had if the Pistons win a top 3 pick or even have to stay at 8.

[theBigLip]

1. I hope no one passes us so we drop to 9th
2. With the salary cap going up, getting a lottery pick on a rookie salary for the next 4 years is like gold. If we trade it, it better be for something really good.
3. We badly need a Darko-do-over. A top 3 pick would be awesome.
4. If we get a top 2 pick, I think we should trade down. There will be a lot of teams that would love to get their hands on Towns or Okafor. We don't need to do a twin-towers experiment again.

[BadMofoPimp]

I can't wait til the draft regardless where the Pistons pick, because Stan is a risk taker and I bet there will be some moves made which is even more exciting. I think he will shake up the roster some more.

[Snakebites]

Not holding my breath. I've made the mistake of getting excited for each of the last few lotteries, only to be disappointed (none more than last year).

I'll be excited for the draft when it rolls around no matter where we're picking though. Guess I'm in the same boat as BMF.

And yes, I think its fair to say that trading our pick is extremely unlikely, and I don't particularly want us to. SVG hasn't made a first round pick as an executive yet, so he'll be wanting the chance to make the call, too. That plus the pay scale make it extremely unlikely that he would consider moving our pick this year.

[GreekAlex]

2. With the salary cap going up, getting a lottery pick on a rookie salary for the next 4 years is like gold. If we trade it, it better be for something really good.

I totally agree that's why I'm suggesting it ads to the value of the pick... I'm not all for trading it but it's just interesting to imagine what it may be able to fetch especially if SVG isn't in love with who's available at the Pistons draft position.

[BadMofoPimp]

I wonder what Monroe combined with the Draft pick could fetch in return.

[pistontr]

svg will select a stretch four

Kevon Looney

ESPN analysis

Versatile big man who can play inside and out
Excellent rebounder, especially on the offensive glass
Versatile, can play the 3 and the 4
Very long
Improving shooter with 3 point range
Above average ball handler for his size
Sees the floor well, played point guard for his team as a senior
Wiry, but tough

[DetroitSho]

I wonder what Monroe combined with the Draft pick could fetch in return.

Nothing because Monroe is a free agent.

[MrBigShot]

Would love to jump into the top 3 for a chance at Towns or Russell, but more than likely we'll stay at 8. I just hope that SVG stays away from Kaminsky and Looney...and to a lesser extent Porzingis.

[roc]

Posted this in the draft thread but it fits even better here.

__________________________________________________


Epic Lotto...



Miami and LAL lose picks to PHI but...

PHI and other tankers drop max spots

Non tankers jump to top FTW

[DocRI]

1. I hope no one passes us so we drop to 9th
2. With the salary cap going up, getting a lottery pick on a rookie salary for the next 4 years is like gold. If we trade it, it better be for something really good.
3. We badly need a Darko-do-over. A top 3 pick would be awesome.
4. If we get a top 2 pick, I think we should trade down. There will be a lot of teams that would love to get their hands on Towns or Okafor. We don't need to do a twin-towers experiment again.

In response ...

1. Amen.

2. Triple amen plus a "Testify!" I've been beating this drum for months; rookie contracts equal cheap labor, and the 2016 cap hike is gonna turn 2015 rookie deal from "cheap" into "decimal dust." This year's rookie class will be the most underpaid players in the NBA for the next four years, and getting even a major bench player (much less a potential starter) at that salary will allow SVG an absurd amount of financial freedom to build the rest of the team.

3. From your keyboard to the Lotto Gods' ears.

4. I agree on Okafor, but Towns is different; he may not be a three-point shooter, but he's good to at least 18 – 20 feet, which is more than enough to stretch the defense and maintain spacing. Plus, he's a defensive force and he's already had experience playing next to another true big man with WCS, so pairing with Drummond shouldn't be too hard of an adjustment. If Towns is on the board, I don't think SVG thinks twice — we simply wish Monroe all the best with the rest of his career and create a core of RJ / KAT / Dre.

[theBigLip]

1. I hope no one passes us so we drop to 9th
2. With the salary cap going up, getting a lottery pick on a rookie salary for the next 4 years is like gold. If we trade it, it better be for something really good.
3. We badly need a Darko-do-over. A top 3 pick would be awesome.
4. If we get a top 2 pick, I think we should trade down. There will be a lot of teams that would love to get their hands on Towns or Okafor. We don't need to do a twin-towers experiment again.

4. I agree on Okafor, but Towns is different; he may not be a three-point shooter, but he's good to at least 18 – 20 feet, which is more than enough to stretch the defense and maintain spacing. Plus, he's a defensive force and he's already had experience playing next to another true big man with WCS, so pairing with Drummond shouldn't be too hard of an adjustment. If Towns is on the board, I don't think SVG thinks twice — we simply wish Monroe all the best with the rest of his career and create a core of RJ / KAT / Dre.

You're probably right that KAT could play PF without clogging up the middle. I hope we have this "problem" to deal with

[ImHeisenberg]

We finished in the 8th spot. So, I'll be surprised if we're not pushed back to 9th per our usual draft lottery position.

I know some people feel we're "due" a top 3 pick, but it doesn't work like that. There's no karma in the lottery balls. I'd be delighted if we finally received a top 3 pick, but then I'd probably dread the idea that we select another bust with it.

[Snakebites]

We finished in the 8th spot. So, I'll be surprised if we're not pushed back to 9th per our usual draft lottery position.

I know some people feel we're "due" a top 3 pick, but it doesn't work like that. There's no karma in the lottery balls. I'd be delighted if we finally received a top 3 pick, but then I'd probably dread the idea that we select another bust with it.

The odds of a top 3 pick are exactly 10%. Same as they were last year when we dropped to 9 and lost our pick.

Of course, the odds that we move down (17%) are also exactly the same as they were last year. Everyone has a better chance of moving up than moving down until like the 13th pick or so. Its a significant chance, but we still have 73% chance of staying put.

Thems the hard facts, people need to accept them. We aren't "due" anything, regardless of how rotten our luck as been here either. Odds are completely unaffected by previous outcomes.

[DCintheD]

For the first time ever I actually hope we stay at 8. I want Stanley Johnson to fall to us there. He's a perfect fit in so many ways.

[GreekAlex]

For the first time ever I actually hope we stay at 8. I want Stanley Johnson to fall to us there. He's a perfect fit in so many ways.

I love that he's a winner and plays hard. He is the only player to ever win 4 state titles for basketball in California but I worry about his jump shot. That said I still hope the Pistons pick him if they're at 8.

[DBC10]

I'm not really worried about Johnson's jumpshot to be honest. If we can actually have a progressive shooting coach that is well versed in the new era of shooting, I think we'll be fine. Kawhi Leonard was an awful shooter coming in college I believe, and Johnson is ahead of him IMO in that regard.

Just lock him inside the gym and tell him he can't leave until he makes 1000 shots.

[jjaymes]

Yea I am fine with staying at 8 as long as we get Stanley Johnson.

[theBigLip]

Stanley Johnson will certainly be available at #8.

There is almost a guaranteed top 4 - KAT, Okafor, Mudiay and Russell.

Winslow and Porzingis are right there as well and I wouldn't be surprised if one or both go before Russell, but regardless, I'd say those are the top 6.

So then you got Johnson, Hezonja, Cauley-Stein, Turner, Looney, Oubre, etc. They all have their pros and cons, but if we're drafting 8, I'm pretty sure Johnson is going to be there.

[Kilo]

^I'm beginning to worry that Johnson might not come out. He wants to be sure to be a Top 10, and if he's not all but guaranteed that he's going to go back to school.

If we don't take him at 8, would Charlotte, Miami or Indiana be looking at a SF at 9-10-11? Charlotte has MKG, Miami will probably be looking for a big, Indiana has George, then at 12 you have Utah with Hayward.