Don't Fret, Pistons Fans: You Have Options At No. 5

Despite a disappointing draft lottery, the Detroit Pistons have options at the draft.

The Detroit Pistons slipped four spots in the NBA Draft Lottery, which unsurprisingly resulted in a disappointed fan base, who no longer can envision Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Jalen Duren suit up with French superstar prospect Victor Wembanyama.

However, it's not all doom and gloom in Detroit. Yes, the fifth overall selection is literally the fan base's worst-case scenario materializing during the very draft lottery it needed to not do so in. But the fifth overall selection this year remains one hell of an asset, and one that could help the Pistons round out their starting lineup.

As currently constructed, Cunningham, Duren, and Ivey makes up for three of the five solidified spots going forward. You could easily argue on behalf of Isaiah Stewart as a fourth starter. He did after all start in 47 out of his 50 appearances this season.

Bojan Bogdanovic, Detroit's most consistent offensive weapon this year, turned 34 last month, and shouldn't be a part of Detroit's long-term plan. So for the moment, let's assume he'll get moved.

Detroit is short on wings, especially after shipping out Saddiq Bey prior to this year's trade deadline. While they're still at a state where they should prioritize best player available, this draft has quite a few wings, who could slide right into the Pistons' rotation.

Alabama's Brandon Miller is projected to be among the first three names off the board, but we've seen weirder things than a player of his caliber sliding in the draft. Miller would be a tremendous fit in Detroit as a play-finisher who comes into the league ready to contribute, being able to stretch the floor and take over scoring possessions as a self-creator.

If Miller is off the board - which does seem likely - Cam Whitmore out of Villanova is another candidate who is likely available to Detroit at No. 5 overall. Whitmore is insanely athletic, built like an NFL linebacker, and will immediately be able to match the physicality he'll be met by from established NBA veterans. Whitmore, like Miller, can play both forward positions, and both project as quality shooters at the NBA level, even if Whitmore might take a bit longer to get there.

Then there's Anthony Black, a player who is difficult to label as just a wing given his proficiency as a playmaker. While this sounds like a tired trope, Black is just a basketball player. It really doesn't matter where you slot him in, he'll find a way to be useful.

While still incredibly raw as an individual scorer, he'll set others up, play defense from day one, rebound the ball, and prove himself to become a connector, not dissimilar to Josh Hart of the New York Knicks. Black has more upside than Hart - and as the fifth pick, he better - but even if it'll take a few years for Black to round out his game, he's the type of player coaches will hate to pull off the floor for all the little things that he does, not to mention his positional fluidity.

This isn't to say Detroit should limit themselves to consider just wings, but there is a world where potential, best player available, and positional need, is wrapped up in one neat package.

Of course, if Amen Thompson is available at No. 5, that's a different debate altogether. But projections indicate he won't be. If the question comes down to, say, Jarace Walker and Whitmore, it's perfectly reasonable to go wing, if the Pistons deem them somewhat equal in terms of overall potential.

Trading out of the draft, via No. 5, could be an option. But in that case, the Pistons shouldn't settle on someone established, who has no more room to grow. Gambling on someone in their mid-to-late 20's would be counterintuitive to what they're trying to achieve. If they wish to have veteran influence, that's what free agency is for.

Basically, Pistons fans, it's time to chin up. The lottery blew for you guys, yes, but that doesn't mean there isn't gold to be found with the fifth pick. You just may have to be a little more thorough in your search.

Unless noted otherwise, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

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