It may not feel like it, given the lack of fanfare heading in, but the NBA draft is just two weeks away.
The Detroit Pistons hold the No. 5 overall pick in the draft; it's their third straight year landing in that slot after feeling the wrath of the draft lottery gods again. The Pistons were historically bad last season, finishing with the worst record in the NBA (and in franchise history), but the lottery pushed Detroit down the draft order as far as allowed by the rules for the second straight season.
For the first time since the 2019 draft, someone other than former general manager Troy Weaver will make the pick. New president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon officially took over decision-making duties for the franchise on the last day of May and the team parted ways with Weaver shortly after, ushering in a new era for the Pistons.
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Langdon, the former Pelicans general manager who worked under president of basketball operations David Griffin, will try to help the Pistons course-correct in his first offseason in charge, starting on June 26.
Here is a look at who the latest mock drafts are linking to the Pistons:
Detroit Free Press: C Donovan Clingan
Vitals:7-3, 280.
From:UConn.
Averages:13 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 1.5 assists (0.8 turnovers).
The Free Press' Pistons insider, Omari Sankofa II, predicted the team would address the frontcourt and select UConn center Donovan Clingan at No. 5, focusing on the best player available rather than just fit, in his latest mock draft.
Here is what Sankofa wrote on the towering center out of Connecticut: "Yes, the Pistons already have two young bigs in Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart. But Langdon can’t draft for fit after taking over the NBA’s worst team. Clingan should be a strong rim protector from day one, with his broad 7-foot-7 wingspan and strong awareness of where he should be in drop coverage. Combine that with his interior scoring and short-roll passing, and he’s likely the best player available here."
Read all of his thoughts on the Clingan selection here.
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USA TODAY: F Matas Buzelis
Vitals:6-10, 209.
From:G League Ignite.
USA TODAY released a mock draft Tuesday with the Pistons selecting Buzelis at No. 5. The 19-year-old projects to be a good wing defender but questions remain about his shooting ability.
"Good leaping ability, surprises with his dunks, soft shooting touch, plays through contact," USA TODAY's Jeff Zillgitt and Scooby Axson wrote. "Tested well at the combine with agility, vertical leap and other drills."
ESPN: F Matas Buzelis
ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo also have the Pistons selecting Buzelis at No. 5. They said that Buzelis is one of the most high-upside prospects in the class because of his playmaking defense and potential to shoot, standing at 6 feet 10. He also fits the Pistons from a need and value perspective.
"The Pistons have some big decisions ahead regarding roster construction and the fit of the existing players they've assembled on their roster already," Givony wrote. "Regardless of the direction they take, adding a tall, versatile, explosive wing such as Buzelis, who can do a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor, makes sense."
"To some extent, there's no such thing as value in a vacuum — in order for a player to return it, there has to be basic synergy in terms of fit and opportunity," Woo wrote. "Buzelis delivers strong situational value to the Pistons because of his versatility at No. 5, offering a good baseline skill set to build on at both forward positions after making tangible strides with his all-around game last season."
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Fox Sports: G Stephon Castle
Vitals:6-7, 215.
From:UConn.
Fox's Jason McIntyre has the Pistons taking a different player from UConn in Castle. The 6-foot-7 guard is regarded as one of the top perimeter defenders in the class, albeit with questions about his shooting ability at the NBA level.
"Could be the best player from this draft five years from now, I believe that much in his skillset," McIntyre wrote. "If he adds a reliable 3-pointer, we're looking at an All-Star."
CBS Sports: F Zaccharie Risacher
CBS' Cameron Salerno also predicts Risacher will end up with the Pistons at No. 5. Risacher projects to be a prototypical 3-and-D wing and shoots well from 3, making him one of the highest upside players in the draft pool and a likely player to be selected in the top four before the Pistons could grab him.
"Risacher is a skilled forward with tremendous shooting upside, which is why he's one of the top candidates to be selected No. 1 overall," Salerno wrote. "The Pistons should take the best available player left on the board. If Risacher falls to No. 5, Detroit shouldn't hesitate to make him the selection."
