2016 Draft: Pistons Picks #18 and #49

[Aussie Dunker]

Hey guys,

Yes it is early, but the draft will be here before we know it. Just looking at who may be available with both of our pick this draft and what our biggest needs are.

Obviously this draft as the much hyped Simmons and Ingram, as well as 3 or 4 other high level prospects but then it would appear it is fairly even for the next 15 to 25 prospects. Will sure be interesting to see who might fall to #18 for us.

So in the ballpark of who may fall / be available to us at #18 could be:

Sabonis
Poeltl
D.Murray
Richardson
Labissiere
D.Murray
Davis
Korkmaz
Ellenson
Johnson
Diallo
Valentine
Prince
Maker
Beasley
Baldwin

Most of these guys at some stage have been projected anywhere from top 5 to mid second round, but they are shaping up as mid first rounders -

My opinion is that we need a backup PG who can play valuable minutes behind Reggie, and the only player in that group I would think would be great value at #18 would be Dejounte Murray. If he is gone (which he likely will be) then I think we take the best available player / most impactful player for SVG's system, and then look to sure up the PG with our 2nd round pick.

With our second rounder, Baldwin might still be available which would be amazing value at that pick, otherwise someone like Ulis, Jackson, Barber, Cousins (I personally like Barber out of these 4). I do not like the idea of reaching for a need with our first pick.

With our first pick, we could see someone like a Sabonis or Labissiere take a huge slide and be available. I really like the versatility of both Valentine and Korkmaz, and can definitely see guys like Bryce Johnson and Ellenson being SVG kind of guys.

What are your thoughts guys?....

Just a quick depth chart of our core to help:

C: Dre / Baynes
PF: Harris
SF: Morris / Stanley
SG: KCP / Meeks
PG: Reggie

[Aussie Dunker]

The more I read / watch of Ulis, the more I am reminded of Isaiah Thomas...

Is #18 too high to take someone who is listed at 5'9 ?...

[dd24]

I'd stay a mile away from Ulis. He's undersized and he's actually hurt too. He won't be a backup PG next year. More like a possible 3rd option when he's not in the D-league.

The more I think about it the more I would rather just swing for the fences with upside. I like Sabonis, I'm just not sure exactly how he fits next to Drummond. There's many who are thinking Valentine has a chance to fall to us. I would really think hard about taking him too. KCP may not stick around when he becomes a FA. It would give Valentine enough time to develop. SG's usually take a few years to produce. Plus he would be a nice player off the bench for a spark next year and give the Pistons more incentive to move Meeks.

Probably the top choice right now though is Maker. I think he and Dre could turn into a top front line in the NBA. Maker doesn't have the muscle to clog up the middle but he can shoot outside. Having a solid core around him right now might be a good place for him to develop. 18 is high to pick him, but I say go for it. He is definitely a risk, as he could be a bust, but I think he has the highest ceiling at that number too.

As for the 2nd round. I just really don't care. Unless someone really falls it doesn't matter much. Maybe a guy like Levert who could have been a lottery pick falls that far. That would be cool. I don't see too many 2nd rounders this year being surprise players.

What I do like is all the guys the Pistons brought in to work out in camp. Most are still young guys. It's like a NBA version of moneyball. I've said for years I don't understand why NBA teams don't take a longer look at some of the very best players in the D League. It's much better competition than college basketball is. We brought in guys like:

Bobby Brown
Jordan Crawford
Chris Douglas-Roberts
Derrick Nix

Crawford was scoring double digits in the NBA. He should definitely have a job in the league. I could really see him being a big scoring punch off the bench. CDR should have a job too. I think the reason he doesn't is because someone wanted to cut his contract for cap purposes. I like how SVG is looking outside the box like this. Other teams have had free agent camps too but I haven't seen any recognizable names.

Well, 1 week and we will find out what the Pistons do with their pick anyhow. Motiejunas looks like the best available player lol. Weak draft.

[dd24]

Well, they're probably drafting a PG or signing one at some point now.

[Aussie Dunker]

Potentially trade #18 for an already established / semi established backup PG - if you told me I could get say, Livingston or Payne with #18, I would be all over that

[dd24]

I think any team would be all over that lol.

[dd24]

SVG says he's going to draft the best player available and the position they play doesn't matter.
http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2016/6/21/11994406/2016-nba-draft-detroit-pistons-stan-van-gundy-mocks-mock-drafts

[dd24]

I really like this idea:
http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2016/6/22/12000448/2016-nba-draft-tyler-ulis-detroit-pistons-sbnation-mock-draft

Now that Utah has George Hill and with Exum returning Trey Burke is for sure out of the rotation. He could be a good back up here. Plus we don't fall that far back in the draft. I hate the idea of drafting Ulis though. I'd go after Thon Maker there. Let him develop for a season or so and he could be really dominate next to Dre.

[Aussie Dunker]

haha mate ^ I saw this yesterday and LOVED it - however 100% agree why would we go after Ulis if we got Trey - Trey would be one of the best backup PG's in the league, he can shoot deep, is a natural leader, and is clutch.

I would also take a shot on Maker if none of say the top 15 guys were available at #23 (example if someone like Davis / Ellenson / Skal were available at #23 which is very unlikely, then taking one of them would make more sense)

But yes, Trey + Maker essentially for #18 would be such a great outcome

[ZMonkey11]

So is this why we did the Donatas Motiejunas take back?

[dd24]

I guess that's what it turned into.... I actually like Motijunas more than what we ended up with. I'm not very excited about the draft. Most of the players I figured would be in our range got drafted much earlier. I can't believe Maker went in the lottery. I guess we'll find out if the Bucks are geniuses or idiots. Apparently he had some amazing works outs for teams.

[dd24]

I doubt he plays much but...

[QUOTE]Rod Beard: #Pistons Stan Van Gundy said they

[dd24]

Apparently there were a lot of teams that wanted our 2nd round pick.
http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2016/6/24/12022830/2016-nba-draft-detroit-pistons-trade-possibilities

[Aussie Dunker]

I think Ellenson is a perfect cog for a SVG team. He is not a stud, nor would he appear to have all-star potential, but if he can develop his deep shot, he seems big enough / tough enough / smart enough to have a role in the NBA.

Best case scenario - Starter
Worst case scenario - Journeyman
Most likely scenario - Bench role player / 7th or 8th man,

I like the fact he gives us a different look, and can be used as a C down the stretch as he shoots well fro the stripe. Can be used as a faceup PF. Hard worker. Productive. Fills a need.

With Gbinije, he might be one of the most Pro ready players in the draft, and will atleast provide a stern battle for our other wings like Stanimal / KCP in our camps. Obviously you don't expect too much out of a late 2nd rounder so we shall see....

I was really hoping D.Jackson fell to us but he went at #45

[dd24]

I was hoping Jackson would slip down to us too. That could have been a steal. I'm guessing Gbinije will spend most of his time in the D League. If there's injuries he might see some limited minutes. They did use Hillard a bit last season so I'm sure they will see what the kid has at some point.

[dd24]

I'm kinda surprised we passed on Skal Labissiere. He was supposed to be a lottery pick. I feel like we could have developed him and put him next to Dre as a stretch 4.

[Aussie Dunker]

I guess they are fairly similar, Ellenson and Skal, in terms of position and potential NBA role.

Ellenson is 30 pound heavier, so at 245 pound can immediately bang with NBA bodies. Also is a lot more active than Skal, and I think has a much higher "floor" than Skal.

I do admit Skal potentially has the higher ceiling, but there is also a reason he fell to #28 or whatever he did...

I think we made the right decision, SVG knows a heck of a lot more than both of us combined, so I have no regret with this pick.

[ZMonkey11]

I trust this dude.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21cE2aUbWB0

[dd24]

I've seen that video before. SVG can ball.

[Aussie Dunker]

So I just re-watched the final game of our summer league, and without getting ahead of myself, I am very impressed with Ellenson's game. He looks so comfortable with the ball in his hands, and I love the way he attacks on his drives. He has quick feet for a big man and excellent hands. Nice feathery touch on his mid range game and will no doubt expand out to a nice deep game, too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nOc5cQVUpg

It does not surprise me that SVG thought there would be no chance this guy would be available at #18.

[ZMonkey11]

So I just re-watched the final game of our summer league, and without getting ahead of myself, I am very impressed with Ellenson's game. He looks so comfortable with the ball in his hands, and I love the way he attacks on his drives. He has quick feet for a big man and excellent hands. Nice feathery touch on his mid range game and will no doubt expand out to a nice deep game, too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nOc5cQVUpg

It does not surprise me that SVG thought there would be no chance this guy would be available at #18.

Yuh. I watched some highlight reels of his games in college and he is very impressive with the transition ball handling.

I like what he can bring to the table offensively. If he gets a consistent three, we have hit the jackpot.

But, we are going to have to hide him on defense. His effort is almost lackadaisical. He has worse lateral movement than Greg Monroe did. So if he can work on three and D, we got a monster and a huge future building block.

[ZMonkey11]

A bit off-topic, but after watching the Ellenson video, youtube hit me up with the Kris Dunn highlights of his 27-point debut. Holy crap. This kid has a lot of weapons and his arms are LLOONNGG.

[Aussie Dunker]

Yeah, absolute stud - would not be trading him to bring in Butler,

Dunn / Lavine / Wiggins / Dieng / KAT

Average age of 21.

All athletic, all project to be great defenders. This is a scary unit in2 years time...

[dd24]

If you watch the game before the last summer league game you wouldn't be very impressed with Ellenson lol. He's got a ways to go before he makes an impact in the NBA. Hopefully he will become a little more consistent.

Yeah, Dunn looks like he's going to be good. The Timberwolves have the best young core of players in the league. They're going to be contenders before long.

[Aussie Dunker]

^^ On Ellenson,

With a first year player, you don't expect consistency. You expect a yoyo like season. The most you can hope for (especially with pick 18) is to see flashes of what he could potentially emerge into. KCP is still inconsistent and he will know be in his 4th campaign.

This summer league I have seen some pretty great flashes of what this kids game can develop into. Much the same as Stanley from last year.

The fact that most people see Ellenson as one of the most NBA prospects in this draft is a reflection on the draft itself.

But I will admit, that he needs to become a 36% + 3pt shooter to truly emerge as a strong piece of our puzzle long term. That is where his value will lie, being 6'11 and able to handle the rock...

[dd24]

I kinda see why the Bucks drafted Thon Maker early. I was hoping he'd fall to Detroit. At least Ellenson is looking better than Skal so far. Those were the other PF's I was looking at going into the draft that could potentially be drafted by the Pistons.

[Aussie Dunker]

Thon Maker is the biggest boom or bust prospect I have seen for quite some time. He could be anything really, from all-star to out of the league in 3 years -

I was thinking Skal would be a decent selection too, but the fact he dropped to 28 or something like that makes me feel like there were some major concerns with him...