2023 NBA Draft Guide: Detroit Pistons

A draft guide for the Pistons, who are armed with the fifth overall pick and plenty of young, soon-to-be star assets.

It’s no secret the Detroit Pistons weren’t happy with their plunge from tops odds and the worst 2022-23 regular season record to the fifth overall pick.

But in a draft loaded with premier talent, the team certainly still has options moving forward in adding to their core of Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren and more.

Draft Digest writer Derek Parker put together a draft guide specifically for the Pistons, featuring asset rankings, options for the team with the fifth pick and analysis:

With Cunningham as the rightful focal point of the Pistons rebuild, and Ivey as a solid second in command, the team is set at lead guard, which nixes a few options from their range.

While Amen Thompson and Anthony Black are talented players in their own right, they’re simply going to need the ball in their hands more to be their most effective at the next level.

Luckily for the Pistons, there's still immediate contributors, upside swings and everything in between in the fifth pick's range, despite their not being a clear cut option.

With several losing seasons now stacking together, time may be ticking for the franchise to put out a competitive product, even with new head coach Monty Williams now signed on for the long haul.

But rushing in and grabbing a prospect with a lower ceiling in order to rush back to competitiveness might not be the best option, either.

In the draft guide, we take a look at all available avenues the Pistons can take to add premier talent in just a few short weeks.

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