Detroit Pistons Select Kentucky Guard in 2024 NBA Mock Draft

The Detroit Pistons take a chance on Kentucky's Rob Dillingham in a 2024 Mock Draft.

Kentucky Wildcats guard Rob Dillingham (0) looks to pass the ball under pressure during their / Alan Poizner/For The Tennessean / USA

As the regular season comes to a close for the Detroit Pistons, the NBA Draft is the next major
event they must begin preparing for. With one of the worst records in the league this season,
they are expected to be picking in the top five for a second straight year.

Over the past few weeks, there have been multiple players linked to them in mock drafts. In Bleacher Report’s latest iteration, they selected Rob Dillingham with the second overall pick.
Dillingham is a 6-foot-2 combo guard who spent this year playing at Kentucky. In his freshman
season, he posted averages of 15.2 PPG, 2.9 RPG, and 3.9 APG. What’s more noteworthy is
that Dillingham shot 44.4% from beyond the arc on nearly five attempts per game.

Despite his smaller frame, Dillingham is not shy about attacking the rim. He is an impressive
finisher, and even rises up to throw down the occasional dunk. The young guard is capable of
playing either guard position, but is a more natural scorer than facilitator.

For his pro comp, Dillingham was given Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star Darius Garland. This is
likely do with his size and ability to create on the perimeter. Nonetheless, Dillingham will have
great success in the NBA if he can follow a similar path as Garland.

It goes without saying how Dillingham would fit within the Pistons’ core. Most importantly, he is a guard who is capable of spacing the floor. That part of his game alone makes him an ideal
complement to Cade Cunningham in the backcourt. He’d likely start out coming off the bench,
but is someone who could compete with Jaden Ivey for a starting role.

With the Pistons already having an array of big men on the roster, focusing on a guard could be
the right move for them. Given his ability to score on all three levels, Dillingham is the archetype of guard Detroit should want beside Cunningham moving long-term.