2023 NBA Draft Team Recap: Detroit Pistons
Many people felt that the Detroit Pistons at No. 5 was truly where this draft started.
Victor Wembanyama was a lock to go No. 1 overall, Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller were going two and three in some order and Amen Thompson just made too much sense for the Houston Rockets at No. 4. This meant GM Troy Weaver would ultimately decide the trajectory of the rest of the draft with his selection at five.
Multiple prospects made sense and had been discussed leading up to the selection but ultimately he made it an even more special night for the Thompson Twins.
Ausar Thompson was widely found below his twin brother on mock drafts and big boards but in the end he landed just one spot after him. Thompson is considered to be more of a true wing - although, you will find some who do believe in his playmaking and creation ability - and that is unquestionably a void for this Pistons roster.
Their only additions this offseason, Joe Harris and Monte Morris, have come via the trade market and should help with floor spacing but neither remotely offer what Thompson does. The same can be said for veteran Bojan Bogadanovic and even Isaiah Livers offers a completely different archetype of player.
Some version of Andre Igoudala does seem to be the best NBA comp for Thompson.
The Overtime Elite MVP will immediately be a top tier athlete that can be a nightmare in transition and has experience playing off the ball.
He has plus level passing for his position and could be utilized in some fun actions with Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey.
Where the Pistons really hope he can help out the young backcourt duo is on the other end of the court. While he will have some bad habits to break, there is real potential to be the primary defender on any team's best perimeter player.
As most know the biggest question mark, and skill that if it breaks the wrong way could really complicate things, is the jump shot. Many will point to the continued improvement throughout the OTE season but the 20-year-old still has plenty to prove with his ability to be a quality floor spacer.
The same can not be said for the other first round pick for the Pistons.
After sending out a couple future second round picks to move up six spots they would take Houston guard Marcus Sasser with the No. 25 pick. While the guard room is crowded with the returners and additions, the two-way guard should endear himself to the Motor City very quickly.
Not only can he knock down shots on the offensive end but he is a competitor defensively that should be able to play off of Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey or Killian Hayes (if his time has not run out in Detroit).
The biggest knock with Sasser will be the overall lack of versatility he provides due to his lack of size but he is still a solid bet to be a quality NBA guard for multiple years.
Detroit did add some quality veteran talent this offseason but all, including returners Bogdanovic and Burks, are on expiring contracts which points to having the flexibility to bring Thompson and Sasser along at their own pace this season but stepping into much larger roles in year two.
The Detroit Pistons have also added these players as of today:
- Malcolm Cazalon (Two-Way)
- Tosan Evbuomwan (Exhibit-10)
- Walter Ellis (Summer League)
- Xavier Brewer (Summer League)
- Jack Nunge (Summer League)
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