Your 2022 NBA Draft Prospect

[Manocad]

Pistons need both and at the top of the draft there is no Embiid, Dray, or AD or even a Myles Turner/Bam type. All the raw bigs who can do the basics ie catch lobs, rim run, roll to the rim, switch, rim protect, rebound, etc are late 1st/early 2nd crapshoots

Why does it have to be a raw project rather than Holmgren, Smith or Duren? Are you saying that none of them qualify as being able to catch lobs, rim run, roll to the rim, switch, rim protect and rebound? I don't think anyone expects the Pistons to utilize a "one guy in the paint" defensive scheme. In any case, I'm in a similar boat as last year in the sense that when I think about how the Pistons can best utilize the draft to continue building their foundation, i.e. Cade vs Mobley, I don't look at the team and think "A Jaden Ivey type is what this team needs most."

Jabari is not locking down the paint and I have him #1 but its purely for his offensive package. Chet is a great rim protector but there are concerns about him getting pushed around in the paint or sticking with smalls on switches. A GM will get fired for taking Duren over Ivey.

I see a clear need for more shot creation to let Cade play offball more plus an infusion of athleticism which the Pistons currently lack. Weaver/Casey tries to fill this need with Diallo and Josh Jackson but they aren't really viable starters.

I don't see it that way. Cade is most effective with the ball in his hands; I don't think many people are clamoring for him to handle the ball less. I've challenged the argument that a score-first PG will somehow increase Cade's offensive numbers and no one has laid out a comprehensive analysis as to how that will work. Would plugging in Jaden Ivey at Killian's spot add more offense? Certainly likely. But does that translate to more wins? I don't know what his +/- stats are but his shooting seems to be inconsistent, it appears he needs spacing to do what he does best, and creating offensive space is NOT what the Pistons do well. Like I said, when I think about "What do the Pistons need to do to build a solid team long term?" Jaden Ivey is not the player who comes to mind. He looks to me like the next shiny new toy because "OMG look how athletic and fast he is and how he dunks!" If hypothetically he's the clear cut BPA at #3, the Pistons are picking at #3, and one of the big men is still available, I'd trade down.

[reanimator]

Why does it have to be a raw project rather than Holmgren, Smith or Duren? Are you saying that none of them qualify as being able to catch lobs, rim run, roll to the rim, switch, rim protect and rebound? I don't think anyone expects the Pistons to utilize a "one guy in the paint" defensive scheme. In any case, I'm in a similar boat as last year in the sense that when I think about how the Pistons can best utilize the draft to continue building their foundation, i.e. Cade vs Mobley, I don't look at the team and think "A Jaden Ivey type is what this team needs most."

Jabari is not locking down the paint and I have him #1 but its purely for his offensive package. Chet is a great rim protector but there are concerns about him getting pushed around in the paint or sticking with smalls on switches. A GM will get fired for taking Duren over Ivey.

I see a clear need for more shot creation to let Cade play offball more plus an infusion of athleticism which the Pistons currently lack. Weaver/Casey tries to fill this need with Diallo and Josh Jackson but they aren't really viable starters.

I don't see it that way. Cade is most effective with the ball in his hands; I don't think many people are clamoring for him to handle the ball less. I've challenged the argument that a score-first PG will somehow increase Cade's offensive numbers and no one has laid out a comprehensive analysis as to how that will work. Would plugging in Jaden Ivey at Killian's spot add more offense? Certainly likely. But does that translate to more wins? I don't know what his +/- stats are but his shooting seems to be inconsistent, it appears he needs spacing to do what he does best, and creating offensive space is NOT what the Pistons do well. Like I said, when I think about "What do the Pistons need to do to build a solid team long term?" Jaden Ivey is not the player who comes to mind. He looks to me like the next shiny new toy because "OMG look how athletic and fast he is and how he dunks!" If hypothetically he's the clear cut BPA at #3, the Pistons are picking at #3, and one of the big men is still available, I'd trade down.

Its not about taking the ball out of Cade's hands. Cade will get his touches. What you don't want is a Luka Doncic situation where ALL of the offensive burden is on him and he gasses at the end of games.

Nothing wrong with utilizing Cade's offball ability to leverage easier scoring opportunities for him. Its precisely why guys like Curry and KD are deadly. I don't think the Pistons should be seeking out a heliocentric offense. Even prime Lebron needed other elite onball co creators to reach the mountaintop.

Beyond Chet, this is an offense first draft in the high lotto. The same holes that will exist for the Pistons if they take Ivey will exist with Paolo or Jabari. But they will all fill huge and obvious needs to that should improve overall play and I guess that is where we differ.

[Manocad]

Jabari is not locking down the paint and I have him #1 but its purely for his offensive package. Chet is a great rim protector but there are concerns about him getting pushed around in the paint or sticking with smalls on switches. A GM will get fired for taking Duren over Ivey.

I see a clear need for more shot creation to let Cade play offball more plus an infusion of athleticism which the Pistons currently lack. Weaver/Casey tries to fill this need with Diallo and Josh Jackson but they aren't really viable starters.

I don't see it that way. Cade is most effective with the ball in his hands; I don't think many people are clamoring for him to handle the ball less. I've challenged the argument that a score-first PG will somehow increase Cade's offensive numbers and no one has laid out a comprehensive analysis as to how that will work. Would plugging in Jaden Ivey at Killian's spot add more offense? Certainly likely. But does that translate to more wins? I don't know what his +/- stats are but his shooting seems to be inconsistent, it appears he needs spacing to do what he does best, and creating offensive space is NOT what the Pistons do well. Like I said, when I think about "What do the Pistons need to do to build a solid team long term?" Jaden Ivey is not the player who comes to mind. He looks to me like the next shiny new toy because "OMG look how athletic and fast he is and how he dunks!" If hypothetically he's the clear cut BPA at #3, the Pistons are picking at #3, and one of the big men is still available, I'd trade down.

Its not about taking the ball out of Cade's hands. Cade will get his touches. What you don't want is a Luka Doncic situation where ALL of the offensive burden is on him and he gasses at the end of games.

Nothing wrong with utilizing Cade's offball ability to leverage easier scoring opportunities for him. Its precisely why guys like Curry and KD are deadly. I don't think the Pistons should be seeking out a heliocentric offense. Even prime Lebron needed other elite onball co creators to reach the mountaintop.

Beyond Chet, this is an offense first draft in the high lotto. The same holes that will exist for the Pistons if they take Ivey will exist with Paolo or Jabari. But they will all fill huge and obvious needs to that should improve overall play and I guess that is where we differ.

Correct. I don't see a Jaden Ivey-type player as filling a huge and obvious need. I see him filling a "I want to see him play" desire.

[vic]

Jabari is not locking down the paint and I have him #1 but its purely for his offensive package. Chet is a great rim protector but there are concerns about him getting pushed around in the paint or sticking with smalls on switches. A GM will get fired for taking Duren over Ivey.

I see a clear need for more shot creation to let Cade play offball more plus an infusion of athleticism which the Pistons currently lack. Weaver/Casey tries to fill this need with Diallo and Josh Jackson but they aren't really viable starters.

I don't see it that way. Cade is most effective with the ball in his hands; I don't think many people are clamoring for him to handle the ball less. I've challenged the argument that a score-first PG will somehow increase Cade's offensive numbers and no one has laid out a comprehensive analysis as to how that will work. Would plugging in Jaden Ivey at Killian's spot add more offense? Certainly likely. But does that translate to more wins? I don't know what his +/- stats are but his shooting seems to be inconsistent, it appears he needs spacing to do what he does best, and creating offensive space is NOT what the Pistons do well. Like I said, when I think about "What do the Pistons need to do to build a solid team long term?" Jaden Ivey is not the player who comes to mind. He looks to me like the next shiny new toy because "OMG look how athletic and fast he is and how he dunks!" If hypothetically he's the clear cut BPA at #3, the Pistons are picking at #3, and one of the big men is still available, I'd trade down.

Its not about taking the ball out of Cade's hands. Cade will get his touches. What you don't want is a Luka Doncic situation where ALL of the offensive burden is on him and he gasses at the end of games.

Nothing wrong with utilizing Cade's offball ability to leverage easier scoring opportunities for him. Its precisely why guys like Curry and KD are deadly. I don't think the Pistons should be seeking out a heliocentric offense. Even prime Lebron needed other elite onball co creators to reach the mountaintop.

Beyond Chet, this is an offense first draft in the high lotto. The same holes that will exist for the Pistons if they take Ivey will exist with Paolo or Jabari. But they will all fill huge and obvious needs to that should improve overall play and I guess that is where we differ.

I agree with this answer. Heliocentrism doesn't really produce championships. Harden didn't even come close to a championship until he could play off CP3. Luka is great but he's not getting there until they give him another guy that can attack and create.

To me Ivey can be more like a DWade to Cade's Lebron. He's a guard but he's a BIG guard, plays good defense, turns a lot of defense to offense, and has a high level of production with a lower usage rate than all the chuckers.

Jaden Ivey is like a mix between Anthony Edwards and Ja Morant... two of the most recent draft picks that have delivered on their high pick promises right out the gate.

I'm fine with taking him top two and getting a defensive big either in round 2 or in Free agency.

[mattao313]

We can get a rim running rim protector in the end of the first round

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[Snakebites]

I think Cade is flexible enough that there isn't likely to be a top prospect that is a bad fit with him, and yes, multiple playmakers is never a bad thing.

This team still has enough needs that BPA is the right move.

[whitehops]

In any case, I'm in a similar boat as last year in the sense that when I think about how the Pistons can best utilize the draft to continue building their foundation, i.e. Cade vs Mobley, I don't look at the team and think "A Jaden Ivey type is what this team needs most."

i think this draft is shaping up great for us, mainly because we can add LITERALLY any type of player to this team. BPA is the optimal route to go and this draft allows us to do that. whether we pick 1st or 5th, we can add:

- size and play-making/scoring (banchero/jabari)
- size, passing and defense (chet)
- an explosive guard who can provide scoring/secondary play-making (ivey)
- a pure scoring/shooting guard (hardy)
- an athletic rim running/rim protecting C (duren)

there's still time for players to develop/put stuff on tape/show their character but really even though the top-end talent might not be at the level of this past year's draft we really should have a good player to take, even if we fall to 5th.

[whitehops]

I think Cade is flexible enough that there isn't likely to be a top prospect that is a bad fit with him, and yes, multiple playmakers is never a bad thing.

This team still has enough needs that BPA is the right move.

totally agree. cade is the only player worth making roster decisions around and he's versatile enough to play beside practically anyone.

BPA all the way.

[MotownMadness]

In any case, I'm in a similar boat as last year in the sense that when I think about how the Pistons can best utilize the draft to continue building their foundation, i.e. Cade vs Mobley, I don't look at the team and think "A Jaden Ivey type is what this team needs most."

i think this draft is shaping up great for us, mainly because we can add LITERALLY any type of player to this team. BPA is the optimal route to go and this draft allows us to do that. whether we pick 1st or 5th, we can add:

- size and play-making/scoring (banchero/jabari)
- size, passing and defense (chet)
- an explosive guard who can provide scoring/secondary play-making (ivey)
- a pure scoring/shooting guard (hardy)
- an athletic rim running/rim protecting C (duren)

there's still time for players to develop/put stuff on tape/show their character but really even though the top-end talent might not be at the level of this past year's draft we really should have a good player to take, even if we fall to 5th.

Not sure I really have a concensus in this draft for a top 5. As of now I got a concensus top 4 that I would be fine landing any of them.

Production wise and eye test I like Smith and Ivey the best. Ceiling wise I like Banchero and Chet, so it's whatever for me but I would like to stay in the top 4 at the moment until someone else really shows out to round out the top 5.

[Snakebites]

I think Cade is flexible enough that there isn't likely to be a top prospect that is a bad fit with him, and yes, multiple playmakers is never a bad thing.

This team still has enough needs that BPA is the right move.

totally agree. cade is the only player worth making roster decisions around and he's versatile enough to play beside practically anyone.

BPA all the way.

You tend to have flexibility with a team that has nothing but weaknesses.

It’s the only positive aspect. Even the things Cade brings we need more of…

[JohnReese]

Banchero is my favorite at this point. His skillset and body makes it a no brain. Chet reminds me of a young Pau Gasol but Gasol was able to put kilos quickly something I doubt about Chet.

It looks like if we pick Top4 we will be ok.

[BJK1]

We can get a rim running rim protector in the end of the first round

Sent from my 5087Z using RealGM mobile app

I’d be happy to see Weaver trade back into the late 1st (from the early 2nd) to draft Christian Koloko.

[bstein14]

We can get a rim running rim protector in the end of the first round

Sent from my 5087Z using RealGM mobile app

I’d be happy to see Weaver trade back into the late 1st (from the early 2nd) to draft Christian Koloko.

We don't have an early 2nd rounder I believe the Spurs will be using our pick to draft #31 this season. Weaver gave away like 4 of our 2nd rounders to the Nets when he gave them Bruce Brown.

[The Moose]

Jabari is my pick so far

update, I'm still not very high on this class overall.

At the top I like Jabari still, wouldn't mind Banchero. But I'm not a fan of Chet, Duren, Hardy,.
If we fall in the lottery, I'm like Kendall Brown, Keegan Murray, Dyson Daniels to name a few

ok update 3.0

- still high on Jabari at number 1
-completely out on Duren, wouldn't take him in the lottery
- warming up to Chet, his skill level at his height+length is just too much to pass up at certain level, and his advanced stats are stellar
- super high on Brown, i would look at him in the top 5
- lukewarm on Banchero, I'm just not a big fan of his archetype and he doesnt really play defense
- Ivey is intriguing

I think my top 5 list atm would be something like

1. Smith
and then some order of Chet/Ivey/Banchero/Brown

I think
1. Smith
2. Holmgren
3. Brown
4. Ivey
5. Banchero

Updating 4.0

1. Smith
2. Chet
3. Ivey
4. Brown
5. Banchero

[7r5ur]

We can get a rim running rim protector in the end of the first round

Sent from my 5087Z using RealGM mobile app

I’d be happy to see Weaver trade back into the late 1st (from the early 2nd) to draft Christian Koloko.

We don't have an early 2nd rounder I believe the Spurs will be using our pick to draft #31 this season. Weaver gave away like 4 of our 2nd rounders to the Nets when he gave them Bruce Brown.

Maybe I'm wrong but I thought the '22 2nd rounder was a swap that SVG gave up for JAMEER NELSON

I thought the four 2nds for Saddiq were 2023-2026. Let's hope this team isn't picking 31 in all of those years

[FloridaMan78]

In any case, I'm in a similar boat as last year in the sense that when I think about how the Pistons can best utilize the draft to continue building their foundation, i.e. Cade vs Mobley, I don't look at the team and think "A Jaden Ivey type is what this team needs most."

i think this draft is shaping up great for us, mainly because we can add LITERALLY any type of player to this team. BPA is the optimal route to go and this draft allows us to do that. whether we pick 1st or 5th, we can add:

- size and play-making/scoring (banchero/jabari)
- size, passing and defense (chet)
- an explosive guard who can provide scoring/secondary play-making (ivey)
- a pure scoring/shooting guard (hardy)
- an athletic rim running/rim protecting C (duren)

there's still time for players to develop/put stuff on tape/show their character but really even though the top-end talent might not be at the level of this past year's draft we really should have a good player to take, even if we fall to 5th.

Not sure I really have a concensus in this draft for a top 5. As of now I got a concensus top 4 that I would be fine landing any of them.

Production wise and eye test I like Smith and Ivey the best. Ceiling wise I like Banchero and Chet, so it's whatever for me but I would like to stay in the top 4 at the moment until someone else really shows out to round out the top 5.

Kendall Brown is emerging. I think he’ll end up in the top 5. I like him over Duren.

Watch on YouTube

[Collymore]

I don't expect anyone else on this team besides Cade being a starter on a contender (or Grant as a 3rd/4th banana if we keep him). It sure would be nice if one or two of the other prospects would pan out like that but I wouldn't make any roster decisions based on it but rather see it as a bonus. With that in mind, the weaknesses of the current team isn't very relevant and I'd go BPA as long as there isn't a clear fit problem with Cade.

[NYPiston]

Driving and dishing to guys in the right spot sounds like what Hayes did last game. Certainly if Ivey plays himself into a consensus BPA when the Pistons pick they should take him. Outside of that if he’s considered at an equal level to the best big man available I’d still argue that taking a big man represents a better choice for the Pistons at this time. Adding more guard scoring doesn’t solve the lack of inside defense and rebounding which is without a doubt the biggest reason why the Pistons are struggling to win. Now obviously it has to be taken into account which free agents are available by draft time. As I posted previously I think the Pistons are better served drafting a player who represents help with interior D and rebounding then going to the free agent market to fill other gaps rather than drafting a player who doesn’t represent a position of biggest need then hoping they are able to fill the biggest need in free agency. Drafting a player is a given; you pick him and he’s yours. Getting a player in free agency isn’t.

BPA, always, especially for a team that has many needs. You never ever draft for need that high up in the draft, that's how you end up passing on Wade and Carmelo because you have Tayshawn Prince.

To add to that, Ivey most certainly would fill a need. How many Pistons have that explosive athleticism to get to the rim whenever they feel like it and on top of that, can facilitate and hit threes? Ivey still has some raw aspects to his game but I'd be hard pressed to find a player with a higher ceiling than him in this draft.
The beauty of this draft is that even besides Ivey, the 3 best prospects are all big guys so it's a win win for the Pistons either way.

If they really want a defensive minded rim protector, they could get one in the 2nd round. Mark Williams for example who should be available at the top of the 2nd.

[NYPiston]

Unfortunately the top of the draft does not have a player that can help with interior D and rebounding.

Banchero is a iso mid range big who’s pretty lazy on D and an ok rebounder.

Jabari is a 3 point chucker and an ok rebounder who hopefully fills out and can be an ok defender.

Neither are what you’re looking for.

Chet is Chet. Maybe one day he gains some weight and can defend in the post.

Duren is raw and depends on his size and athleticism and that usually doesn’t fly for bigs in the NBA especially at his size.

One correction to this. Smith is A LOT more than just a 3 point chucker, he can score at all 3 levels. Same with Banchero who is somehow getting massively underrated all of a sudden just because he can't play defense at a high level as an 18 year old.

I agree that none of the top guys fill that rim runner, high level paint defender need but you don't draft one of those with a top 5 pick anyway unless they have a high offensive upside. I suppose Chet would be the closest to this because of his length but that body needs some serious restructuring if he's going to be a force inside at the next level.

[Manocad]

Driving and dishing to guys in the right spot sounds like what Hayes did last game. Certainly if Ivey plays himself into a consensus BPA when the Pistons pick they should take him. Outside of that if he’s considered at an equal level to the best big man available I’d still argue that taking a big man represents a better choice for the Pistons at this time. Adding more guard scoring doesn’t solve the lack of inside defense and rebounding which is without a doubt the biggest reason why the Pistons are struggling to win. Now obviously it has to be taken into account which free agents are available by draft time. As I posted previously I think the Pistons are better served drafting a player who represents help with interior D and rebounding then going to the free agent market to fill other gaps rather than drafting a player who doesn’t represent a position of biggest need then hoping they are able to fill the biggest need in free agency. Drafting a player is a given; you pick him and he’s yours. Getting a player in free agency isn’t.

BPA, always, especially for a team that has many needs. You never ever draft for need that high up in the draft, that's how you end up passing on Wade and Carmelo because you have Tayshawn Prince.

To add to that, Ivey most certainly would fill a need. How many Pistons have that explosive athleticism to get to the rim whenever they feel like it and on top of that, can facilitate and hit threes? Ivey still has some raw aspects to his game but I'd be hard pressed to find a player with a higher ceiling than him in this draft.
The beauty of this draft is that even besides Ivey, the 3 best prospects are all big guys so it's a win win for the Pistons either way.

If they really want a defensive minded rim protector, they could get one in the 2nd round. Mark Williams for example who should be available at the top of the 2nd.

I don't see Ivey as a need simply because he does things no other Pistons do. I consider "need" as "what translates to wins." And as I said, it appears he needs pretty wide offensive spacing created to be most effective which is not only what the Pistons don't do well, but he's not going to get that kind of spacing in the NBA. Just like with Jalen Green, who was my #2 choice if Cade wasn't available, I'm not going to be heartbroken if Ivey turns out to be a consensus pick at the position the Pistons are drafting in. But if it were me I'd consider trading down if an opportunity were available and someone other team really wanted Ivey, e.g. hypothetically trading down from #2 to #7 and a late first/couple of seconds. Now obviously that scenario may not be a possibility so you take Ivey. I don't see scoring as being the Pistons' Achilles heel given Cade, Bey, Grant/his potential replacement, Diallo and Frank. I think their problems scoring have been due to slumps and Casey's puzzling offensive schemes (or lack thereof). Add a guy like Ivey and you're just getting points in a different way/from a different player; I don't think that directly translates to a much better team/more wins.

As far as the 2003 draft, the Pistons won a championship and did pretty well with Tayshaun. Could they have done better with Wade or Carmelo? Perhaps. But last I checked Carmelo doesn't have a championship and Wade needed Shaq then Lebron and Bosh to get his. And that's not a knock on either of those guys; I'm simply saying you can't play the "This is what WOULD have happened" game with any certainty.