The Pistons are nearing their most important decision in years.
When the NBA Draft comes in June -- for now, anyway -- Detroit is likely to have its highest pick since 2003. It's an opportunity to bolster a rebuild that began in earnest this season. The Pistons can't afford to miss.
Detroit is currently fifth in the lottery, with a 42.1 percent chance of picking in the top four and a 10.5 percent chance of picking first. The last time the organization drafted in the top five, it took Darko Milicic No. 2. The last time it picked in the top 10 it took Stanley Johnson No. 8. Let's hope this year turns out better.
Georgia guard Anthony Edwards is widely considered the best player on the board. After that, the draft could go any number of ways. ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz released their latest mock Thursday, using the current standings to determine the draft order.
After Edwards to the Warriors, they project Memphis C James Wiseman to the Cavaliers, Auburn SF Isaac Okoro to the Hawks and LaMelo Ball to the Timberwolves. The Pistons are on the clock at No. 5.
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The top three players available, via ESPN's draft rankings, are SF Deni Avdija from Israel, C Onyeka Okongwu from USC and PF Obi Toppin from Dayton.
With the fifth overall pick, the Pistons select ... Onyeka Okongwu.
"Okongwu gives Detroit a switchable, bouncy rim protector who finishes everything, with outstanding touch and plenty of offensive upside," writes Schmitz. "He would boost Detroit's small-ball frontcourt of the future alongside Sekou Doumbouya."
Okongwu, more of a center-forward hybrid than a traditional 5, would add another versatile athlete to Detroit's roster. One of the top recruits in the country in 2019, he put up 16.2 points and 8.6 rebounds in his lone season at USC.
Between Okongwu, Doumbouya and rising star Christian Wood, the Pistons' frontcourt would suddenly be bursting with potential. Is that ideal in a backcourt-driven league? Maybe not, but again, the trio boasts the versatility to thrive just the same.
Schmitz adds, "While Okongwu would be a big win for Detroit, I'd also strongly consider Avdija here. He would give Detroit an exciting young playmaker, even if he's more of a point forward than a true lead guard."
