Detroit Pistons

The NBA Draft lottery is over and unless you're a fan of the Cavs, Magic or Wizards you're probably pretty upset. No, the balls didn't fall your team's way but you can take out your frustrations by watching what promises to be a real slugfest in the Eastern Conference Finals between the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers are the best defense in the NBA and Miami isn't far behind. And while the Heat have frequently looked unstoppable the health of Dwyane Wade is in doubt and if any defense can frustrate and stymie Miami's big three it is probably the Pacers. The game tips off at 8:30 p.m. tonight on TNT. Join us! Standard boilerplate below: What you might not understand is that this thread may be posted on the covers of other great SB Nation NBA blogs throughout the network, meaning other teams' fans may be stopping by to comment on the games with the DBB community. The idea behind this is to bring general NBA fans together as one, in one community. That community for this Wednesday night is DBB. We have a wonderful network here at SB Nation with incredibly insightful fans within each NBA blog's different community. We think these fans should be given an opportunity to come together, take in the game, shoot some e-breeze, maybe share some memes and lulz, and enjoy the fresh company, if they so desire. It could be fun. All that we ask is that you abide by DBB's one loose rule and be respectful to one another at all times. (Also, please use the "flag" button to help us monitor any trolls or spammers.)

Chances are, the most promising players in the 2013 NBA Draft will be off the board when Detroit picks at #8. After a disappointing result in the draft lottery, Detroit is not likely to have a shot at Victor Oladipo, Trey Burke, Otto Porter or Ben McLemore. While there is value to be found in Detroit's draft range, it's hard to expect this value to match Detroit's primary needs of starting-caliber talent on the wing. The question Detroit's front office will need to examine now is whether this pick has more value on the trade market than it will on draft night. In short, should Detroit trade its #8 pick? Before we explore a few trade opportunities, we should consider Detroit's needs this year and beyond. Detroit will need to use draft picks, trades and free agent signings to find a starting-caliber point guard, shooting guard and small forward. The team will have the greatest opportunity to make these acquisitions within the next two years, when it has two consecutive cap space windfalls including two large expiring contracts. Unfortunately, Detroit will need to forfeit its lottery pick to Charlotte next season if the team wins a few more games next season, which is a very likely scenario. In total, by trading this pick, Detroit should aim to acquire more picks, preferably including a 2014 first round pick. Detroit should also attempt to use its cap space to absorb salary to facilitate these trades. Draft Pick Swap Scenarios Phoenix Suns: Trading Down and Adding Talent The Phoenix Suns ended the 2012-13 NBA season with a worse record than Detroit. The Suns will have roughly $5M in available salary this summer, with no significant cap savings until 2014. Their only real opportunity to improve this summer is in the draft, and they only have one valuable pick to do so. Detroit's #8 pick and an additional $8M in cap space (for a total of $13M in available salary) would provide Phoenix with greater draft and free agent opportunities-- and combined assets similar to what Houston used last summer to acquire James Harden. Phoenix Acquires: the #8 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. Detroit Acquires: the rights to Miami's #30 pick in 2013, the rights to Minnesota's 2014, 2015 or 2016 lottery pick (top 13, 12 and 12 protected respectively) and Marcin Gortat. Detroit's gain: Detroit effectively trades the #8 pick for a #30 pick, a #14 pick and the expiring salary of productive big man Marcin Gorat. When Detroit receives the #14 pick will depend largely on when both Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio register a healthy season, which is a risk, but if that doesn't pan out Detroit will end up with two second round picks in 2017. Marcin Gortat has several values for Detroit-- he acts as a financial placeholder that moves $8M in expiring salary to next summer or he becomes a trade asset for deadline deals in February. Gortat is also very productive, a talent worthy of the starting lineup and a great option behind Andre Drummond. If Detroit can sell Gortat into a mid-level deal for a few years after 2013-14, this would be a great way to start that process. Phoenix's gain: Phoenix adds a second lottery pick in the 2013 draft, adds another $8M in available salary and only gives up pick rights in the process, not their own picks. While Phoenix would likely be reticent to give up Marcin Gortat, they face losing him next summer without a talent return in the process. For the Suns, this move would be an opportunity to explore a larger trade that acquires a top draft pick this year, an All Star caliber player or, at worst, it gives them two picks and enough cap space for a post-rookie max contract. (I have vetted this trade with the people at SB Nation's Suns blog, who largely support the proposal.) Dallas Mavericks: Adding Picks and Salary The Mavericks are apparently interested in trading their #13 pick in the 2013 draft without returning any salary. They are interested in trimming cap space in order to make a run at Dwight Howard in

Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva has picked up his $8.5-million option for next season. That was expected. Charlie Villanueva has drastically underperformed his contract with the Pistons, and he wasn’t getting near that amount as a free agent. Now – if money is no object – the Pistons should amnesty Villanueva. There is no argument here. I suppose it’s possible having an $8.5 million expiring contract represents more value to the Pistons than having an extra $8.5 million in cap space (though I doubt it), but the argument could be made the Pistons could sign free agents up to the cap line, trade an $8.5 million contract for up to $12.85 million in returning salary and exceed the salary cap by more money than could by taking the straight cap-space route. But if the Pistons want an $8.5 million expiring contract, the could amnesty Villanueva and very easily sign a better player to a one-year, $8.5 million contract. That better replacement would fetch more in a trade. Of course, money is an object. Amnestying Villanueva and signing a replacement to a one-year, $8.5 million contact would cost the Pistons $17 million – an $8.5 million more than just keeping Villanueva. Is that price worth it to Tom Gores? Probably not. The Pistons should still strongly consider amnestying Villanueva, though. They aren’t forced to sign a replacement, but the cap space would be available in the event they need it. Remember, amnestied contracts count against the payroll floor, which will be set at 90 percent of the salary cap this season. So, using last season’s salary cap of $58,044,000 for this explanation, teams that don’t use the amnesty could enter the season with a maximum of $5,804,400 in cap room. If the Pistons amnesty Villanueva, they could hold as much as $14,304,400 in cap room. That would be a major advantage in mid-season trade negotiations.

Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press: Evidently, Mo Cheeks impressed someone during a recent phone interview with the Detroit Pistons. The Oklahoma City Thunder assistant coach and former head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers will have second interview with the Pistons today, according to two people with knowledge of the situation. First of all, apologies to the Free Press for insinuating Cheeks didn’t previously interview. Does this mean Brian Shaw has already interviewed with the Pistons, too? As far as Cheeks, I’m not terribly enthused. He didn’t coached a winning team in his last six seasons as a head coach, seemingly bringing the mediocre out of teams good and bad. Maybe the Pistons, a bad team lately, wouldn’t mind a coach lifting them to mediocre. But even during his first two seasons with the Trail Blazers, teams that went 49-33 and 50-32, Portland didn’t win a playoff series. Plus, I don’t see the Thunder as a particularly well-coached team. To its credit, Oklahoma City got a lot from Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, individually and in tandem, but when Westbrook got injured, the Thunder had no answers. If you squint hard enough, Cheeks looks like an alright coaching candidate. It’s difficult to view him as anything more than that.

It's not just SB Nation predicting the Pistons will take a point guard -- in the following roundup of seven mock drafts, six of them have Detroit going with Syracuse's Michael Carter-Williams or Lehigh's C.J. McCollum. The lone outlier? ESPN's Chad Ford, who predicts the Pistons will take UNLV power forward Anthony Bennett. (See DBB's scouting report on Bennett.) PICK SB Nation Draft Express NBA.com ESPN Sports Illustrated CBS Sports NBADraft.net 1. Cavaliers Nerlens Noel Nerlens Noel Nerlens Noel Nerlens Noel Nerlens Noel Nerlens Noel Ben McLemore 2. Magic Ben McLemore Ben McLemore Ben McLemore Trey Burke Ben McLemore Ben McLemore Nerlens Noel 3. Wizards Otto Porter Anthony Bennett Otto Porter Otto Porter Otto Porter Anthony Bennett Otto Porter 4. Bobcats Anthony Bennett Victor Oladipo Victor Oladipo Ben McLemore Victor Oladipo Alex Len Victor Oladipo 5. Suns Alex Len Otto Porter Anthony Bennett Victor Oladipo Anthony Bennett Victor Oladipo Anthony Bennett 6. Pelicans Trey Burke Alex Len Trey Burke Alex Len Trey Burke Trey Burke Trey Burke 7. Kings Shabazz Muhammad Trey Burke Cody Zeller Michael Carter-Williams Cody Zeller Otto Porter Cody Zeller 8. Pistons Michael Carter-Williams C.J. McCollum Michael Carter-Williams Anthony Bennett Shabazz Muhammad Michael Carter-Williams C.J. McCollum 9. Wolves Victor Oladipo Shabazz Muhammad Shabazz Muhammad C.J. McCollum C.J. McCollum C.J. McCollum Alex Len 10. Blazers Cody Zeller Rudy Gobert Alex Len Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Alex Len Cody Zeller Dario Saric 11. 76ers Rudy Gobert Cody Zeller Mason Plumlee Cody Zeller Kelly Olynyk Steven Adams Kelly Olynyk 12. Thunder (via Raptors) Gorgui Dieng Kelly Olynyk Kelly Olynyk Steven Adams Dario Saric Kelly Olynyk Dennis Schroeder 13. Mavericks Dennis Schroeder Michael Carter-Williams C.J. McCollum Dario Saric Michael Carter-Williams Shabazz Muhammad Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 14. Jazz C.J. McCollum Dennis Schroeder Dennis Schroeder Shabazz Muhammad Jamaal Franklin Shane Larkin Michael Carter-Williams 15. Bucks Sergey Karasev Sergey Karasev Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Allen Crabbe Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Steven Adams 16. Celtics Tony Mitchell Steven Adams Rudy Gobert Dennis Schroeder Gorgui Dieng Rudy Gobert Shabazz Muhammd 17. Hawks Allen Crabbe Mason Plumlee Dario Saric Mason Plumlee Mason Plumlee Jamaal Franklin Mason Plumlee 18. Hawks (via Rockets) Mason Plumlee Jamaal Franklin Gorgui Dieng Jamaal Franklin Dennis Schroeder Mason Plumlee Lucas Nogueira 19. Cavaliers (via Lakers) Reggie Bullock Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Sergey Karasev Rudy Gobert Tony Mitchell Giannis Antetokoumpo Tony Snell 20. Bulls Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Gorgui Dieng Jeff Withey Gorgui Dieng Steven Adams Allen Crabbe Giannis Antetokoumpo 21. Jazz (via Warriors) Giannis Antetokoumpo Tony Mitchell Steven Adams Shane Larkin Shane Larkin Archie Goodwin Shane Larkin 22. Nets Dario Saric Jeff Withey Giannis Antetokoumpo Jeff Withey Allen Crabbe Sergey Karasev Rudy Gobert 23. Pacers Kelly Olynyk Shane Larkin Archie Goodwin Kelly Olynyk Sergey Karasev Dennis Schroeder Tim Hardaway Jr. 24. Knicks Erick Green Dario Saric Lucas Nogueira Glen Rice Jr. Rudy Gobert Gorgui Dieng Gorgui Dieng 25. Clippers Kenny Kadji Allen Crabbe Glen Rice Jr. Pierre Jackson Jeff Withey Dario Saric Allen Crabbe 26. Wolves (via Grizzlies) Jackie Carmichael Glen Rice Jr. Tony Mitchell Sergey Karasev Reggie Bullock Jeff Withey Tony Mitchell 27. Nuggets Steven Adams Reggie Bullock Allen Crabbe Tim Hardaway Jr. Tony Snell Ricky Ledo Erick Green 28. Spurs Brandon Davies Lucas Nogueira Deshaun Thomas Lucas Nogueira Glen Rice Jr. C.J. Leslie Sergey

Do you want the Pistons to take another point guard? Unless his name is Trey Burke, I hope they don't. But in his first post-lottery mock draft, SB Nation's Jonathan Tjarks thinks the Pistons might turn to Michael Carter-Williams from Syracuse: 8. Detroit Pistons -- Michael Carter-Williams, Syracuse A 6'6 PG is the best way to salvage the Brandon Knight era. Carter-Williams can cross-switch defensively and let Knight play off the ball. That could be a really fun backcourt. Personally, I'd rather the Pistons just take the best available player, not make a pick in hopes of salvaging another mistake. And if the rest of the Tjarks' mock draft holds true, I'll be furious: 9. Minnesota Timberwolves -- Victor Oladipo, Indiana This is a probably a little low for Oladipo, but it would be a great pick for Minnesota if it came out this way. Ricky Rubio throwing oops to Oladipo would be something. Never forget. 10. Portland Trail Blazers -- Cody Zeller, Indiana Picks nine through 11 are right about where this draft starts to tail off, so Portland is just taking whomever falls to them. Zeller and LaMarcus Aldridge would be a really interesting frontcourt tandem, at least offensively. I can't see Oladipo falling this far, let alone past the Pistons. Even if his surprising ability to drain 3-pointers was a fluke last year, he'll be a tenacious defender in the NBA from the first day he steps onto the court. (Don't miss DBB's full scouting report on Oladipo here.) Admittedly, I haven't seen much of Carter-Williams, so perhaps his nearly invisible performance in the Final Four is unfairly tainting my opinion. But even Oladipo is off the board, I might prefer Cody Zeller over MCW, despite Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond's presence in Detroit. Now your thoughts.

Hardaway at No. 11 is markedly higher than almost every other projection at this point.

According to Chad Ford on ESPN, The Dallas Mavericks seem to be very interested in trading the 13th pick so they can free up cap room to make a run for Dwight Howard. http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/mavericks/post/_/id/4696123/sources-mavs-trying-to-trade-no-13-overall-pick Is this a pick the Pistons should make a play for, packaging their 2 second rounders? Guys in this range include Kentavious Caldwell Pope, Dennis Schroder, and Steven Adams (consensus from both NBADRAFT and Draft Express, players in totally different spots between sites not included) According to Chad Ford on ESPN, The Dallas Mavericks seem to be very interested in trading the 13th pick so they can free up cap room to make a run for Dwight Howard. http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/mavericks/post/_/id/4696123/sources-mavs-trying-to-trade-no-13-overall-pick Is this a pick the Pistons should make a play for, packaging their 2 second rounders? Guys in this range include Kentavious Caldwell Pope, Dennis Schroder, and Steven Adams (consensus from both NBADRAFT and Draft Express, players in totally different spots between sites not included) Poll Should the 13th pick be in play for the Pistons Draft Strategy? YES I like the guys in this range NO The Pistons should shoot higher or lower for a better value 1 votes | Results

The NBA draft lottery gods frowned on Detroit, not only denying the Pistons a top-3 pick but also pushing the team down a slot from their original No. 7 slot. But if there's one thing for certain in this draft, it's that no one knows what will happen on draft day. Stay tuned as we track the latest mock drafts and evaluate potential picks between now and June 27. Well, disappointing news for the Pistons came out of last night's NBA Draft lottery as hopes of leaping into the top three were dashed and they actually fell a spot. On June 27, they'll be picking with the 8th selection. As disappointing as it is, the grim truth was that a drop was more likely all along than lucking into a top three pick. The Pistons had a 60% shot of staying put at 7 and a 12.7% shot of a top 3 pick. That means a 27.3% chance of falling lower than the 7 spot. The Cavs went from the third best chance in the lottery to win the top pick. Washington made the largest leap, going from 8th to 3rd. This is the third time in four years that Washington won a top 3 pick. The Bobcats were the biggest losers, dropping out of the top 3 despite the second worst record. The full draft order looks as such: First Round: 1. Cleveland Cavaliers2. Orlando Magic3. Washington Wizards4. Charlotte Bobcats5. Phoenix Suns6. New Orleans Pelicans7. Sacramento Kings8. Detroit Pistons9. Minnesota Timberwolves10. Portland Trail Blazers11. Philadelphia 76ers12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Toronto)13. Dallas Mavericks14. Utah Jazz15. Milwaukee Bucks16. Boston Celtics17. Atlanta Hawks18. Atlanta Hawks (from Houston via Brooklyn)19. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Los Angeles)20. Chicago Bulls21. Utah Jazz (from Golden State via Brooklyn)22. Brooklyn Nets23. Indiana Pacers24. New York Knicks25. Los Angeles Clippers26. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Memphis via Houston)27. Denver Nuggets28. San Antonio Spurs29. Oklahoma City Thunder30. Phoenix Suns (from Miami via L.A. and Cleveland) Second Round: 31. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Orlando)32. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Charlotte)33. Cleveland Cavaliers34. Houston Rockets (from Phoenix)35. Philadelphia 76ers (from New Orleans)36. Sacramento Kings37. Detroit Pistons38. Washington Wizards39. Portland Trail Blazers (from Minnesota via Boston & Cleveland)40. Portland Trail Blazers41. Memphis Grizzlies (from Toronto)42. Philadelphia 76ers43. Milwaukee Bucks44. Dallas Mavericks (pick may be conveyed to Lakers)45. Portland Trail Blazers (from Boston)46. Utah Jazz47. Atlanta Hawks48. Los Angeles Lakers (pick may be conveyed to Dallas)49. Chicago Bulls50. Atlanta Hawks (from Houston)51. Orlando Magic (from Golden State via Denver & New York)52. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Brooklyn)53. Indiana Pacers54. Washington Wizards (from New York)55. Memphis Grizzlies56. Detroit Pistons (from Clippers)57. Phoenix Suns (from Denver via. Lakers)58. San Antonio Spurs59. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Oklahoma City)60. Memphis Grizzlies (from Miami) So it's set, the Pistons are picking 8th. Meaning likely that dreams of Nerlens Noel, Ben McLemore, Victor Oladipo, or Trey Burke are out without a move. Where would you like to see them go from here?

Chad Ford of ESPN updated his mock draft after last night’s lottery, and he has the Pistons taking Anthony Bennett at No. 8: The Pistons’ biggest need is at the three, and if Bennett falls this far, I could see Detroit convincing themselves that Bennett could make the transition. While Bennett looks like a power forward, he can really shoot and handle the basketball. He has enough talent to be the No. 1 pick, but his recent rotator cuff surgery has caused his stock to slide just a tad. He’d be a great fit in Detroit and give the Pistons, along with Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond, one of the best young front lines in basketball. I didn’t like Bennett relative to the other five typically touted players – a group also comprised of Nerlens Noel, Ben McLemore, Otto Porter, Trey Burke and Victor Oladipo. But at No. 8? Heck yeah. I definitely believe Bennett’s is better suited to play power forward long term, but there’s no harm in the Pistons spending a little time trying to make him a small forward, a position that presents a bigger need in Detroit. Even if that experiment is a likely failure, Bennett as a power forward would be great value at No. 8.