It’s April, and around these parts, that means it is time to focus on next season and the NBA Draft.
With the worst season in franchise history now behind them, the Detroit Pistons will continue to prepare for the 2024 draft as they simultaneously reorganize their front office and search for a new president of basketball operations.
This particular draft class has long been considered one of the worst in recent memory. However, the last time evaluators and pundits thought that, in 2014, the class ended up producing two Hall of Fame talents, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Rudy Gobert. The 2024 class, like every one before it, will have at least a few elite prospects. It’s on Detroit to identify that player and develop them.
To begin preparing you for more disappointment, I did four Tankathon simulations to determine the Pistons’ draft slot and walked through the scenarios. Let’s get into it.
Scenario No. 1
1. Chicago Bulls: Zaccharie Risacher | 6-8 wing/forward | 19 years old | JL Bourg
2. Toronto Raptors: Alexandre Sarr | 7-1 big | 18 years old | Perth Wildcats
3. Detroit Pistons: Stephon Castle | 6-6 wing | 19 years old | Connecticut
The initial Tankathon simulation wasn’t kind to the NBA’s worst team, but it also wasn’t too harsh. I was told earlier this season that if the Pistons land somewhere in the top three of this draft that they would be happy, but that was before it was clear that a new decision maker would be coming in to run the show.
Whoever takes over will recognize that this roster needs more defense, especially on the wing, and high-IQ players. Castle makes too much sense. The freshman was very impactful showing both of those qualities on the best team in college hoops.
Castle is a guard/wing hybrid who somewhat reminds me of the Orlando Magic’s Anthony Black with his IQ, size, defensive versatility and tenacity. I see him more of a secondary ballhandler than a lead guard at the NBA level, which is perfect for the Pistons, who have Cade Cunningham running the offense. One of Detroit’s biggest issues is it doesn’t currently have a wing-sized secondary playmaker with guard skills. Ausar Thompson will get there one day, but his handle isn’t tight enough yet to be a lead ballhandler for large sections of games. Castle very much would help fill that void for Detroit.
Castle’s shot, however, is a concern, and I’m not sure if the Pistons can afford to force-feed another young player into their rotation who isn’t a proven 3-point shooter. If Detroit is able to restructure its roster via trade and free agency this summer, Castle’s fit starts to make more sense, and there can be more patience with him as a shooter.
This team needs to get a lot better defensively, and that can only happen by getting players who take pride on that end. Castle isn’t a perfect fit, but I see him as a high-upside swing who can also impact the game right away.
STEPHON CASTLE GET UP 🗣️
The Huskies have answered right back with a run of their own 😮💨 #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/jMSajsgcmt
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 7, 2024
Scenario No. 2
1. Portland Trail Blazers: Zaccharie Risacher | 6-8 wing/forward | 19 years old | JL Bourg
2. Charlotte Hornets: Alexandre Sarr | 7-1 big | 18 years old | Perth Wildcats
3. Memphis Grizzlies: Stephon Castle | 6-6 wing | 19 years old | Connecticut
4. Washington Wizards: Nikola Topić | 6-6 lead guard | 18 years old | Crvena zvezda
5. Detroit Pistons: Dalton Knecht | 6-6 wing | 22 years old | Tennessee
You want more spacing around Cunningham? Knecht will give it to you.
The upside isn’t super high here, because I don’t see Knecht being a plus on-ball defender during his time in the NBA. But a bigger Tyler Herro or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope without the on-ball defense and better off-the-dribble creation? Sign me up … for this draft class.
Knecht is a bucket; a three-level scorer who has a silky-smooth jumper. He’s an elite standstill shooter and…
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