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.
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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.
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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 shoots very well off movement. Around the rim, Knecht is a crafty finisher who uses his athleticism. I’ve got no questions about Knecht’s scoring translating to the NBA. He’s also a good and willing ball mover.
Knecht would slot in nicely between Cunningham and Thompson or Simone Fontecchio.
showstopper
Dalton Knecht 🏆 Julius Erving Award pic.twitter.com/lVedqoCst5
— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) April 6, 2024
Scenario No. 3
1. Toronto Raptors: Alexandre Sarr | 7-1 big | 18 years old | Perth Wildcats
2. Memphis Grizzlies: Zaccharie Risacher | 6-8 wing/forward | 19 years old | JL Bourg
3. Portland Trailblazers: Stephon Castle | 6-6 wing | 19 years old | Connecticut
4. Washington Wizards: Nikola Topić | 6-6 lead guard | 18 years old | Crvena zvezda
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5. Detroit Pistons: Cody Williams | 6-8 wing | 19 years old | Colorado
Three simulations and the Pistons haven’t slotted higher than No. 3 — and they got No. 5 on back-to-back draws? Don’t throw that coffee mug across the room. It’s not worth the cleanup.
If the Pistons would rather go for a high-upside swing at No. 5, Williams fits the bill more than Knecht — even if I don’t think his floor is as high.
Williams is a big wing with long arms who I think would be a high-end role player and possibly could turn into more if his self-creation improves. Right now, Williams can put pressure on the rim, pass and defend multiple positions. He finishes well with both hands and also can finish in a crowd because of his length and size. He’s an efficient scorer who doesn’t shoot a ton of 3s, which raises some questions about how quickly his 3-ball will translate to the NBA despite good shooting mechanics.
The defensive versatility is really intriguing here, as is Williams’ potential to be a point forward in the NBA because of his fluid handle and passing. He’s not overly athletic, and that could cause issues early in his career, but the length and IQ Williams possesses is enough for me to seriously consider him with pick No. 4 or No. 5.
CWILL TOUGH BUCKET 💪
📺 FS1 pic.twitter.com/KGD1ARl56C
— Colorado Men's Basketball (@CUBuffsMBB) January 19, 2024
Scenario No. 4
1. Detroit Pistons: Alexandre Sarr | 7-1 big | 18 years old | Perth Wildcats
It took four simulations, but the Pistons got the No. 1 pick.
I’d personally trade this pick, but if Detroit wants to select here, I think it has to go with Sarr.
He’s got the highest upside of any prospect in this class and has improved greatly this season playing overseas. Defensively, Sarr has a chance to be special. He covers well in space for his size. He flies around the court and can stay in front of small players. At the rim, Sarr is an intimidating presence because of his length. And if he’s not blocking shots, he’s likely disrupting them.
Alex Sarr turning defence into offence. 💪
Watch live on ESPN via Kayo. pic.twitter.com/rtehGFmUqV
— Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) February 17, 2024
Offensively, there has been some fun, intriguing stuff from Sarr with the ball in his hands in both transition and a half-court setting. I also believe he’s shown good-enough touch to be a legitimate shooting threat at some point in his career.
Ultimately though, Detroit would be selecting Sarr for who he could become on defense. This franchise desperately needs elite rim protection in the frontcourt, and I’m not sure there is a better prospect in this class who could both check that box and grow into more than just a lob threat on the offensive side of the floor.
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My biggest questions with Sarr are about his current level of competition. That stuff is always hard to gauge, particularly with someone of Sarr’s age. He’s also not a great defensive rebounder. He’ll need a more punishing big man next to him at the NBA level, I believe, to have success sooner rather than later.
Yet, if the majority of this stuff ends up clicking, Detroit could end up with a very special player. I’m just not sure, with how fragile the franchise is right now, that it can afford to take a gamble on a prospect if there is legitimate trade interest in the No. 1 pick that could yield proven, good NBA players.
(Top photo of Alexandre Sarr: Colin Murty / AFP via Getty Images)
