Detroit Pistons: 2009 NBA Draft

Jason Brubaker — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 08:59:53 -0700

2009 NBA DRAFT: NBA Team Needs/Capsules - NBA Mock Draft - Top 100 Prospects

- We’ll update our Team Capsules with more specific info once the lottery is complete.

Detroit Pistons

2008-09 Record: 39-43

Draft Picks: Projected (15, 39, 44)

Key Free Agents: Will Bynum (restricted), Antonio McDyess, Allen Iverson, Rasheed Wallace

How they got here:

It was a quick fall from grace from the Pistons, who averaged nearly 57 wins over the past five seasons before stumbling to a below-.500 record and a quick playoff exit this year. The trade that brought Allen Iverson to the Motor City for Chauncey Billups will go down as a disaster, as the team totally lost their defensive identity, offensive chemistry and championship-level swagger. The team will likely undergo some major changes in the off-season, as Wallace and Iverson are likely gone, and key players like Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince could also be moved. The team has a solid building block in guard Rodney Stuckey, although he may not ever reach superstar status. They also have some solid rotation players in Arron Afflalo, Amir Johnson and Jason Maxiell, but all were plagued by inconsistency.

GM Joe Dumars has some interesting decisions to make…does he blow up the team and rebuild with the youngsters, or try to bring in some veterans around Hamilton and Prince to make another run? Regardless, the Pistons will almost certainly have an entirely different look next season, and Dumars hopes, a new attitude to go with it.

Who they’ll take:

With Wallace and McDyess likely out the door, the Pistons will need some help up front. Unfortunately, outside of Blake Griffin, the draft appears devoid of post players who could provide offense. However, Dumars may look for players who can contribute defensively, such as Mississippi State’s Jarvis Varnado. The team could also use a true point guard to run the offense, as Stuckey is more of a scorer. Syracuse’s Jonny Flynn, or UNC’s Ty Lawson would be good fits, and they bring a winning attitude that the locker room desperately needs. If the team moves Hamilton and/or Prince, they’ll also look at some wing players to fill that void, such as Memphis’ Tyreke Evans, Arizona’s Chase Budinger, or Wake Forest’s James Johnson.

Draft History:

2008: DJ White (29), Deron Washington (59)

2007: Rodney Stuckey (15), Arron Afflalo (27), Sammy Meija (57)

2006: Will Blalock (60)

2005: Jason Maxiell (26), Amir Johnson (56), Alex Acker (60)

2004: Rickey Paulding (54)

2003: Darko Milicic (2), Carlos Delfino (25), Andreas Glyniadakis (58)

2002: Tayshaun Prince (23)

2001: Rodney White (9), Mehmet Okur (38)

2000: Mateen Cleaves (14), Brian Cardinal (44)

2009 NBA DRAFT: NBA Team Needs/Capsules - NBA Mock Draft - Top 100 Prospects

Top Prospects

Stephen Curry - PG/SG - Davidson

Tyreke Evans - PG/SG - Memphis

Blake Griffin - PF - Oklahoma

James Harden - SG - Arizona State

Jordan Hill - PF - Arizona

Ty Lawson - PG - UNC

BJ Mullens - C - Ohio State

Ricky Rubio - PG - DKV Joventut

Brandon Jennings - PG - Arizona

Hasheem Thabeet - C - UCONN

Detroit Pistons: NBA Draft Team Needs

Raphielle Johnson — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 08:05:55 -0700

NBA Draft: Detroit Pistons

Record: 53-29, 1^st Central

Draft Picks: 15, 27, 57

Team Needs: The Pistons have the luxury of having a rotation that’s pretty much set. Jason Maxiell has contributed some during the playoffs, but they may feel the need to add another big body with Chris Webber and Antonio McDyess up there in years of experience. Another body in the backcourt wouldn’t be such a bad thing either. But their needs could change if Chauncey Billups decides to test the free agent waters this offseason.

Who They Should Pick: G Javaris Crittenton (Georgia Tech)

Draft History Since 2000

2006: Will Blalock (60)

2005: Jason Maxiell (26), Amir Johnson (56), Alex Acker (60)

2004: Rickey Paulding (55)

2003: Carlos Delfino (25), Andreas Glyniadakis (58)

2002: Tayshaun Prince (23)

2001: Rodney White (9), Mehmet Okur (38)

2000: Mateen Cleaves (14), Brian Cardinal (44)

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