For non-subscribers of The Athletic:
Pistons rumors: What I’m hearing about Detroit’s NBA Draft plans
James L. Edwards III
The 2023 NBA Draft is less than a week away, and the annual event this time around will serve as an unfortunate reminder for the league’s worst team that it won’t be leaving Brooklyn on Thursday with arguably the best prospect since LeBron James. The Pistons, instead, sit at No. 5, the worst possible outcome for the organization.
However, that slot, and the one before it, comes with more intrigue than the rest. Victor Wembanyama will go No. 1 overall to the Spurs — I already bet my life savings on it just to make an extra $100. After that, Alabama’s Brandon Miller and the G League Ignite’s Scoot Henderson will very likely go Nos. 2 and 3, but which one goes where is still up in the air.
So, the draft really begins with the Houston Rockets at No. 4, and then the Pistons will step to the plate next.
While Detroit must react to the Rockets’ decision at No. 4, I’m hearing the Pistons will be strongly considering five prospects with their selection if they stay put at No. 5: Amen and Ausar Thompson (Overtime Elite), Cam Whitmore (Villanova), Jarace Walker (Houston) and Taylor Hendricks (Central Florida).
All five of those prospects have worked out with Detroit over the last two weeks, according to multiple league sources who agreed to provide background while not being authorized to speak publicly. Hendricks, in particular, impressed in front of Pistons executives and coaches, most notably with his shooting. The 6-foot-9 forward, has the potential to be an impactful 3-and-D wing for the Pistons immediately upon arriving in the Motor City, assuming he ends up being the pick. There’s room to grow into something more, too, if he can improve his ballhandling and decision-making. The 19-year-old forward with a 7-foot-1 wingspan can defend multiple positions, as well, due to his ability to slide his feet.
Ausar Thompson also has some big supporters in the Pistons’ front office, according to those league sources, and very well could be who Detroit takes in Thursday’s draft. The 20-year-old Ausar is more of a wing than his brother, but both are supreme athletes with good size. In his 2023 NBA Draft Guide, colleague Sam Vecenie wrote that Ausar Thompson reminds him most of Andre Iguodala. I couldn’t agree more. The potential Ausar Thompson has a secondary or tertiary creator for others really drives that home, as do his physical gifts, finishing ability and questionable jump shooting.
It’s not a given, though, that the Pistons will select at No. 5. “If it’s going to help us move forward, we’ll entertain anything,” general manager Troy Weaver said back in April. “We’re excited about this draft pool, but we’ll try to move the team forward any way we can.”
Outside of No. 1, all of the picks in the top 5 could be up for grabs. I think it’s more likely that the Pistons trade back than use No. 5 to acquire a veteran player via trade, but it does sound like all options are still on the table ahead of Thursday’s draft.
MassLive.com reported on Thursday that the Boston Celtics have been and will continue to be active in trade talks throughout the offseason. One of the names the Celtics called to inquire about was Isaiah Stewart, according to those league sources. Other teams, too, have called the Pistons about the soon-to-be fourth-year big man. When Detroit got Stewart in the 2020 NBA Draft, rivals teams called to try and get the Pistons to trade him. He is valued around the league due to his defensive versatility and potential as a frontcourt floor spacer.
To the best of my knowledge, the Pistons very much view Stewart as a key part of their core going forward — even with a bit of a big-man logjam — and not only would I be stunned if he were traded, I’d be a bit surprised if he didn’t sign an extension this summer.
Aside from everyone in the organization, from executives to players, recognizing “Beef Stew” as the heart and soul of the young Detroit squad, his value as a switchable defender and the seeds he’s planted as an outside shooter are important to the Pistons moving forward. Additionally, Stewart, who just turned 22, was part of Weaver’s inaugural draft class, and with fellow classmate Saddiq Bey traded to the Hawks this past season and Killian Hayes still finding his footing in the NBA, having something to show for that incoming draft class, surely, would be important for both Weaver and the organization.
If Stewart were to sign a rookie extension, he’d be the first player drafted by the Pistons to sign one with the organization since Andre Drummond, who was selected ninth overall in the 2012 NBA Draft.