It just had to be a top 3 pick.
The Pistons, the worst team in the league, didn’t ask for much. Would they have liked to have picked up the No. 1 pick in Tuesday night’s NBA draft and the rights to Victor Wembanyama? Naturally. That was the dream. But the organization, just coming off a 17-win season and whose franchise players were watching from the sidelines, would have welcomed Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller with open arms. Top 3 only. That’s all they wanted.
Instead, the basketball gods gave the NBA’s worst team their worst pick: the No. 5 draft in next month. It would be apt to call it a belly punch. The result was more like a sword severing a bicep. Detroit had no realistic ambitions to return to that high any time soon. This was the year with the best chances for number 1. It went from “so close” to “so far” within seconds.
The life of a recovery team.
Now the Pistons need to shift their focus to what to do with the No. 5 pick. General manager Troy Weaver spoke to reporters after Tuesday night’s lottery and said there are players in this field that he likes. He also said the franchise wouldn’t mind swapping the pick: “If it helps us move forward, we’re fine with anything.” We’re excited about this draft pool, but will try to support the team in any way we can to move forward.”
Here we’re going to try to get an idea of what the fifth pick in this particular draft might be capable of putting Detroit into a trade. To that end, I’ve suggested my fellow beat writers here at The Athletic Trades, who report on teams that I think would have a conversation about the fifth pick and other things the Pistons have to offer. Admittedly, some trade offers weren’t very good. However, the goal was to help you, the fan, understand what is and isn’t possible. Some trades were good and taken into account by the beat writers.
Let’s get into that.
San Antonio Spurs
Pistons obtained: Keldon Johnson and a 2024 first-round pick (via Toronto)
Get Spurs: #5 in the 2023 NBA draft
James L Edwards III: My logic here was pretty simple: Johnson fills a gap for the Pistons as a solid offensive wing that can be effective off the ball. His defense could be better and I think there could be a more winning situation. At the start of next season he will only be 24 years old and I think he has a valuable contract (4 years/$74 million). His annual salary goes down for the first three years of the contract, which begins next season. The Pistons also get a future first because I don’t think Johnson alone is worth the #5 pick in this draft.
Why would Spurs do that, you ask? Well, San Antonio could use the No. 5 pick to get another wing or forward who, like future Spur Wembanyama, will be given a rookie deal for the next few seasons. It will give San Antonio even more leeway this summer as well. I just don’t think Johnson will come to the point where Spurs are real contenders again, so I can see a deal like that benefiting both sides. Cam Whitmore or Amen Thompson would be fun alongside Wembanyama, right?
Alex Schiffer: “This trade is all about Spurs’ timeline and how they want to approach their rebuild, but if Johnson takes the pick they can bring in another young player who aligns with Wembamyama both in terms of time and contract, while the Pistons get one.” Player willing to help them climb the table. It also speaks in favor of Spurs keeping Johnson as he has risen through Pop’s system and has room to develop as a player. He could stay and continue to be part of the young core in San Antonio.”
Opponent’s Strike Judgment: “Solid offer”
New York Knicks
Pistons obtained: RJ Barrett, Evan Fournier and a 2024 first-round pick
receive curtsy: Bojan Bogdanović, James Wiseman and the number 5 in 2023
Edwards: The prize here is Barrett, who just had a really good postseason for the Knicks. Defensively, he fits in with everything the Pistons are about and lacking. There’s ups and downs on offense, but he’s affecting the game in other ways. I really like the idea of Barrett serving as a secondary or tertiary ball handler alongside Cunningham and Ivey. I like it even better when the shooting continues. I would take Fournier’s deal to get Barrett, but I would also need future draft indemnity.
Fred Katz (Knicks beatwriter): “It would depend on the protections for the 2024 pick, but I think the Knicks would have to think about jumping on it.” Giving them more shooting opportunities, which they desperately need in the short term, Bogdanović intuitively fits in with Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. Most importantly, a fifth pick in a stacked draft would allow them to nurture their young talent even longer. I’m sure the Knicks wouldn’t feel good about parting ways with RJ Barrett after a strong postseason for the 22-year-old, but it’s a big return. You’re definitely listening to this.”
Verdict on the beat: “You should be an assistant GM!”
Toronto Raptors
Pistons obtained: Pascal Siakam
Raptors receive: Alec Burks, Bojan Bogdanović, James Wiseman and the number 5 in 2023
Edwards: Given the likelihood of Toronto restructuring its roster, Siakam’s expiring contract, and the increased likelihood that the Pistons are looking for some sort of go-between, I think the All-NBA pick is the best possible player to beat Detroit’s fifth-pick could realistically get. Of course there are other things like two really good role players in Burks and Bogdanović and a project in Wiseman. This one is pretty easy. I tried to make Detroit one of the top 25 players in the NBA. To me, Siakam is the only one that might make sense.
However, the Pistons would need to be confident that they could sign Siakam long-term for the move. After this season, he will be an unrestricted free agent.
Eric Koreen (Raptors beatwriter): “It’s certainly the kind of trade the Raptors would consider if they actually want to relocate Siakam. There are two problems. First, even though the Raptors like Wiseman, they’re the center of attention, provided they bring Jakob Poeltl back, which I expect, and with Christian Koloko as a replacement. Second: the pistons dropped to five. Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller would be the cleanest candidates for the Raptors. The Thompson Twins, Cam Whitmore, Anthony Black? There’s at least some overlap with Scottie Barnes and questions about her shooting that the Raptors can’t really handle alongside Barnes and Poeltl. In short, something like this is possible, but I think the Raptors will try to get Portland involved first.”
Opponent’s Strike Judgment: “Solid offer”
New Orleans Pelicans
Pistons obtained: Herb Jones, number 14 in 2023, Garrett Temple and Larry Nance Jr.
Pelicans get: Bojan Bogdanović and number 5 in 2023
Edwards: I’m looking here again. I’m a big Jones fan. At 24, he’s already one of the top 10 perimeter defenders in the NBA. That’s what the pistons need, especially on the wing. The 3-point shooting could be better, but the defense and other things he does on offense win out for me. I’d rather have Trey Murphy III, but I didn’t even want to offend Will by trying to get him. New Orleans could use a shooter like Bogdanović. It could also use the No. 5 pick to bring in Cam Whitmore and try to defuse a dubious offensive without Zion. Temple and Nance are salary throw-ins, although the latter could contribute to the rotation.
Will Guillroy (Pelicans Beat author): “Adding the No. 5 pick and an elite shooter like Bogdanović would be a great way for the Pelicans to add momentum to an offensive that struggled at times last season. However, they place great value on Herb Jones and his achievements as one of the NBA’s best fullbacks. I would be shocked to see him move this summer. Maybe they would be more interested if there was a clear option to target 5th place. Guys like Cam Whitmore or any of the Thompson twins wouldn’t make as much sense with this team as keeping Jones with them.”
Opponent’s Strike Judgment: “Solid offer, but probably not”
Portland Trailblazer
Pistons obtained: No. 3 pick in 2023 and Keon Johnson
Blazer received: Bojan Bogdanović, number 5 in 2023 and number 31 in 2023
Edwards: This isn’t a trade proposal that I’m proud of, mostly because I didn’t think it would be enough, but I tried to get Detroit in the top 3 to get Miller or Henderson. Portland made it clear they were interested in playing as long as Dame Lillard was on the roster, so I offered one of the NBA’s best shooters. The Blazers would only have to drop two spots and still have an elite shooter! You could use the number 5 to add another veteran. That was my logic. Jason Quick hated it.
Jason Quick (Trailblazers beat writer): “Would Blazers do the deal: No. Hell no. It’s no secret that the Blazers are willing to trade the third pick, but they probably – and should – have much higher ambitions for a return than this one. The only advantage here is that he can land a 34-year-old shooter, but the Blazers have enough players who can put the ball in the net. The Blazers need defense, size, switching ability, and it’s not that.”
Opponent’s Strike Judgment: “Why did you waste my time?”
Houston Rockets
Pistons obtained: Jabari Smith
Get Missiles: No. 5 pick in 2023 and James Wiseman
Edwards: I was probably trying to be too cute with it, but I tried. All signs point to the Rockets stepping on the gas next season and making one big step or another. Smith, who I liked in the draft last year, didn’t have a great rookie season. Maybe Houston would want to punt him and try to catch a big fish with the #4 and #5 picks?
Kelly Iko (Rockets beat writer): “Adding another top-10 pick could have been appealing for Houston’s side in 2021 or 2022, but as of this writing, James Wiseman isn’t interesting enough to warrant a tackle on Jabari Smith Jr. after his rookie season — especially considering how he’s gained momentum over the last 20 games of the year. The Rockets are attempting to expedite the rebuilding process by bringing on win-now veterans to complement their young core, which includes Smith. Giving up a talented two-way forward with extreme odds for Wiseman and the No. 5 pick in this draft doesn’t seem like the right path for the franchise. They have more selection and can sign better bigs in free agency than Wiseman. That would basically be a step backwards.”
Opponent’s Strike Judgment: “Are you all right?”
GO DEEPER
Pistons will pick fifth in the 2023 NBA draft. Who will they choose? Will they act?
(Top photo by Troy Weaver: Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports)