With our next post of the day, Brian of Empty the Bench has a preview of the Detroit Pistons.

2007 NBA Draft Picks: #15, #27, #57

Position Needs: PG, SG, SF, C

Few NBA franchises would deem a season culminating in a fifth-straight trip to the Conference Finals as “disappointing.” But when you’re the Detroit Pistons, success is not something merely strived for—it’s expected by the owner on down to the dedicated fanbase. Unfortunately, another season that fell short of an appearance in the NBA Finals has many screaming for change, for a youth movement, for a rededication to the kind of balls-out play that earned this core group a title back in ’04.

The reality for Detroit, however, is much less grim than some NBA observers would have you believe. Sure, an infusion of fresh-faced young talent into the regular rotation can no longer be considered an unnecessary luxury, but instead an essential component of a roster that stands to be somewhat retooled this summer. And while the core members of
this Pistons squad, like every other human being on the planet, are not
getting any younger, to call the collective group of Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, and Rasheed Wallace “old” is a bit short-sighted. When he turns 33 in September, Wallace will be the oldest of the bunch, followed by Billups (31 in September), Hamilton (29), and Prince (27).

As they always do during the dog days of summer, rumors have flown that Pistons GM Joe Dumars will consider drastically shaking up his team and listen to offers for anyone under contract. Dumars himself has confirmed that he’s open to any move that will improve the Pistons, but that he’s “not having a fire sale.” His first order of business is making the right picks on Thursday. He’ll then focus on resigning Billups come July 1, followed by re-upping key sixth man Antonio McDyess, locking up talented 20-year-old forward Amir Johnson (more on him later), and figuring out the center conundrum.

Whether or not Dumars brings the entire core back for another run, or only part of it, a youth movement will be underway. After wrapping up a successful sophomore season, undersized-but-ferocious power forward Jason Maxiell stands to have more helpings at the infant buffet. And the 2007/08 season should finally see Amir Johnson, a second-round pick two years ago straight out of high school, get considerable burn on the floor, and not just during garbage time.

All accounts are that if Johnson had gone to college for two years, and come out this season for the draft, that he would be almost a lock to be taken within the top 10 picks. That’s all conjecture at this point, but there’s no mistaking the immense potential of this 6-10 forward. In many ways, he reminds ETB of a young Jermaine O’Neal.

Looking at this extremely deep draft, the Pistons are looking to add players that can provide depth in the short term and eventually develop into formidable starters (like every other team out there). Finding a backup for Billups—assuming he’s back—is a major priority. Veteran Lindsey Hunter is nearing retirement, and Flip Murray cannot be relied upon to play out of position and assume the full-time backup PG duties. The top PG prospects look to be Mike Conley, Jr., Acie Law, and Javaris Crittenton, in that order. If any one of them falls to #15, expect the Pistons to take a long look at spending their first pick on a backup for Billups to groom over the next few seasons. If the Pistons go in another direction, don’t be surprised to see Jared Jordan get consideration if still on the board at #27 or, more likely, at #57. USC’s Gabe Pruitt is also a possibility.

The Pistons also have a strong need for a scorer/slasher on the wing who can get to the hole and create his own shot. If Florida State’s athletic forward Al Thornton slides to #15, you have to believe the Pistons will strongly consider snapping him up; the same goes for Kansas’ Julian Wright, who has fallen from graces as of late (at least in mock drafts). Early indications had the Pistons eyeing Eastern Washington combo guard Rodney Stuckey, while the agent for Italian sensation Marco Belinelli recently said the Clippers and Pistons are the two teams he feels are most likely to draft his client. Both will get first-round consideration if available, though we feel Stuckey would get the nod over Belinelli.

Of course, the pair of Youngs—USC’s Nick Young and Georgia Tech’s Thaddeus Young—could also fit the bill of what Dumars is looking for. Remember, the former is somewhat of a self-made man that comes from a tough background, and character and hard work are two qualities very highly valued in Detroit. Sharp-shooting Rice G/F Morris Almond, versatile Vanderbilt G/F Derrick Byars, and Nevada guard Ramon Sessions will also get a long look.

At the center spot, seven-footer Jason Smith from Colorado is a possibility, but we’re personally not high on him given the players likely to be available at #15 and #27. Tiago Splitter is another guy that could be considered, but his contract status in Europe makes him a risky proposition. Duke’s 6-10 F/C Josh McRoberts seems to have rising draft stock, but again, we’re not so high on him. Of the highly rated centers, we’d be more inclined to spend #27 on 6-11 F/C Nick Fazekas from Nevada.

So there are some prospects who could be in play for Joe Dumars and his staff Thursday night. Who would we take? Assuming they’re available, our pick at #15 would be Wright, Thornton, Crittenton, or Stuckey, in that order (we don’t feel Law or Conley will still be around). For their second first-rounder, they’ll have to address the position they didn’t at #15—Belinelli, Fazekas, and Byars would all be strong picks. The second round is always a crap shoot, especially late in the draft, and we expect the Pistons to draft a European that can be stashed overseas for a few years as there will be no roster space for three rookies (especially with the real possibility that Alex Acker rejoins the team after a year in Europe himself).

One way or the other, the time has come for Detroit to work a new group of young talent into the rotation. With any luck, we could see another great “core” slowly develop in the coming seasons to eventually replace the current, great core.