Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons selected Villanova forward Saddiq Bey with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, the team's third pick in the first round. The Pistons acquired the pick in a three-way trade involving the Clippers and Nets, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. 

Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report

Player: Saddiq Bey

Position: SF/PF

Height: 6'8"

Weight: 216 

Pro Comparison: Cameron Johnson

Scouting Report: The NBA loves big shooters, and at 6'8", Saddiq Bey was one of the best in the country at Villanova. He has the offensive skill set to play the wing with the defensive tools to guard 4s. We've seen a number of former Wildcats excel as NBA role players, and Bey should follow suit with his three-point range, passing and IQ.

     

Pistons Active Roster and Average Salary (Expiration Year)

Sekou Doumbouya, SF: $3.4M (2023)

Blake Griffin, PF: $34.2M (2022)

Tony Snell, SF: $12.2M (2021)

Trevor Ariza, SF: $12.5M (2021)

Derrick Rose, PG: $7.5M (2021)

Dzanan Musa, SG: $2M (2023)

Khyri Thomas, SG: $1.3M (2021)

Rodney McGruder, SG: $5.1M (2022)

Killian Hayes, PG: Rookie scale contract (2024)

Isaiah Stewart, PF: Rookie scale contract (2024)

Saddiq Bey, SF: Rookie scale contract (2024)

     

Free Agents

Brandon Knight, PG: UFA

John Henson, PF: UFA

Langston Galloway, SG: UFA

Thon Maker, C: RFA

Christian Wood, PF: UFA

Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, SG: Team option

Jordan Bone, PG: RFA

Louis King, SF: RFA

Jordan McRae: RFA

    

Bey averaged 16.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists as a sophomore on his way to first-team All-Big East honors and won the Julius Erving Award for the nation's top small forward in 2019-20. This is the third time in the past four years a Villanova player has been taken in Round 1 of the NBA draft.

Bey will join fellow recent Nova players Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart, Omari Spellman and Eric Paschall in the NBA.

Much like most of his cohorts, Bey didn't go in the lottery but has the game of a player who should enjoy a decent NBA career. Bey made seismic improvements as a scorer in 2019-20, knocking down 45.1 percent of his threes, while also flashing promise as a defender.

Villanova coach Jay Wright trusted him to defend opposing point guards on switches, and Bey has the foot speed to be a solid defender at the next level. He has Trevor Ariza-like three-and-D potential, which should make him a valuable fit for the Pistons.

The team now has three new players to continue the rebuild in Bey, Killian Hayes and Isaiah Stewart.

The Detroit Pistons selected Washington power forward Isaiah Stewart with the No. 16 overall selection in the 2020 NBA draft Wednesday.

Detroit acquired the pick the same day in a trade with the Houston Rockets, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

             

Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report

Player: Isaiah Stewart

Position: PF/C

Height: 6'9"

Weight: 250 lbs

Pro Comparison: Bruno Fernando

Scouting Report: NBA players will immediately have trouble with Isaiah Stewart's power and strength. He's an enforcer, capable of moving bigs at both ends and scoring through them around the basket. Proving he can knock down jump shots could ultimately go a long way toward his value in today's NBA.

            

Here's a look at where Stewart will slot in on the team's depth chart:

Pistons Active Roster and Average Salary (Expiration Year)

Isaiah Stewart, PF/C: Rookie scale contract (2024)

Sekou Doumbouya, SF: $3.4M (2023)

Blake Griffin, PF: $34.2M (2022)

Tony Snell, SF: $12.2M (2021)

Trevor Ariza, SF: $12.5M (2021)

Luke Kennard, SG: $3.8M (2021)

Derrick Rose, PG: $7.5M (2021)

Dzanan Musa, SG: $2M (2023)

Khyri Thomas, SG: $1.3M (2021)

Killian Hayes, PG: Rookie scale contract (2024)

     

Free Agents

Brandon Knight, PG: UFA

John Henson, PF: UFA

Langston Galloway, SG: UFA

Thon Maker, C: RFA

Christian Wood, PF: UFA

Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, SG: Team option

Jordan Bone, PG: RFA

Louis King, SF: RFA

Jordan McRae: RFA

         

Stewart joined the Huskies after a standout high school career capped by winning Naismith Prep Player of the Year and Mr. Basketball USA honors as a senior in 2019.

The 19-year-old New York native made an immediate impact at the collegiate level. He averaged 17.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks while shooting 57.0 percent from the field across 32 appearances for UW as a freshman before declaring for the draft.

"I take a lot of pride in winning national player of the year in high school. The list of guys that won that award is impressive," Stewart told ESPN's Jonathan Givony in April. "I feel like I am someone who can play in an NBA game tomorrow physically."

He was named First Team All-Pac 12 during his only season with the Huskies.

Stewart, a dominant post player throughout his career so far with a 6'9" frame, also started the process of developing his game to better match the modern NBA. He shot 25 percent on 20 three-point attempts at Washington, and it's an area he should steadily improve in the coming years.

He'll be a more traditional power forward at the outset of his pro career, likely sliding to center in small-ball lineups, but he's got all the tools to become an All-Star during his eventual peak years.

Stewart should slot into the rotation as a rookie with the Pistons and gradually develop his game.

He's enjoyed high-end success at each stop of his basketball journey and, while that might not happen immediately in the NBA, he's a high-upside addition for Detroit.

The Detroit Pistons used the No. 7 pick of the 2020 NBA draft to select French point guard Killian Hayes. 

     

Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report

Player: Killian Hayes

Position: PG

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 216

Pro Comparison: Goran Dragic

Scouting Report: Killian Hayes could be the draft's most complete, well-rounded guard by the time he's peaked. He has 6'5" positional size, advanced passing instincts, body-controlled finishes, a sharp pull-up game and positive defensive awareness. Continuing to improve his shooting range could propel Hayes above the other ball-handlers in this class.

He will help add to the young talent already on the team's current roster.

      

Pistons Active Roster and Average Salary (Expiration Year)

Blake Griffin, PF: $34.2M (2022)

Tony Snell, SF: $12.2M (2021)

Trevor Ariza, SF: $12.5M (2021)

Derrick Rose, PG: $7.5M (2021)

Rodney McGruder, SG: $5M (2022)

Sekou Doumbouya, SF: $3.4M (2023)

Dzanan Musa, SG: $2M (2023)

Khyri Thomas, SG: $1.3M (2021)

Killian Hayes, PG: Rookie scale contract (2024)

Isaiah Stewart, PF: Rookie scale contract (2024)

Saddiq Bey, SF: Rookie scale contract (2024)

      

Free Agents

Brandon Knight, PG: UFA

John Henson, PF: UFA

Langston Galloway, SG: UFA

Thon Maker, C: RFA

Christian Wood, PF: UFA

Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, SG: Team option

Jordan Bone, PG: RFA

Louis King, SF: RFA

Jordan McRae, G: RFA

After spending two seasons with Cholet in France, Hayes played last year with Germany's Ratiopharm Ulm, where he showed he can more than hold his own against older competition.

The 19-year-old was especially impressive in the EuroCup, averaging 12.8 points, 6.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game in 10 appearances. He also knocked down 39 percent of his shots from three-point range in this competition.

It's a continuation of a long history of success against top opponents, including an MVP award in the FIBA U16 European Championship in 2017. 

Beyond the numbers, the 6'4" guard has an exciting skill set with the ability to consistently create shots for himself.

"In a league where perimeter shooting, playmaking, and defensive versatility are at a premium, Hayes is my top-ranked prospect in this year's class," Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer wrote in April. 

Hayes now takes these skills to the NBA while possessing as much upside as anyone else in the class.

The shortened offseason could lead to a tough transition, but it's only a matter of time before he plays a key role for the Pistons.

The newest addition should rotate alongside Derrick Rose in the backcourt to provide a much-needed offensive upgrade for Detroit after ranking as one of the worst scoring teams in the NBA last season.

Guard Killian Hayes is "strongly in play" for the Detroit Pistons with the No. 7 overall pick in Wednesday's 2020 NBA draft if he is available, according to Jeremy Woo of Sports Illustrated.

Woo mocked Hayes to the Pistons in his final mock draft due in part to the notion that Florida State forward Patrick Williams is likely to be off the board by the time Detroit picks.

The 19-year-old Hayes was born in Florida and raised in France, and most recently played for German club Ratiopharm Ulm in the EuroCup.

In 10 games for Ulm in 2019-20, Hayes averaged 12.8 points, 6.2 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals, while shooting 45.5 percent from the field and 39.0 percent from beyond the arc.

Hayes previously spent two seasons playing for Cholet of the French LNB Pro A league, including the 2018-19 campaign when he averaged 7.2 points, 3.1 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game.

The 6'5" Hayes is among the best playmakers in the 2020 draft class and could provide the Pistons or any other team that takes him with a great deal of versatility.

In his final NBA mock draft, Bleacher Report NBA draft expert Jonathan Wasserman had Hayes falling all the way to the Sacramento Kings at No. 12. Wasserman acknowledged the Pistons' interest, but noted that Hayes could fall to the latter part of the lottery if Detroit doesn't take him.

The only true point guard under contract for the Pistons next season currently is veteran Derrick Rose, who is clearly not a long-term option.

Point guard is arguably Detroit's biggest need and Hayes may be the best player available at the position at No. 7, although Iowa State's Tyrese Haliburton could also be in the mix if he is still on the board.

Hayes would not only fill a position of need for the Pistons, but he may be among the most skilled all-around players in the draft, meaning he would likely be a difficult player to pass up at No. 7.

Tony Snell is sticking with the Detroit Pistons.

The veteran wing will exercise his $12.1 million player option for the 2020-21 season, according to James Edwards III of The Athletic on Sunday.

Snell, 29, signed a four-year, $46 million contract with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2017 before the Bucks traded him and a first-round pick to the Pistons for Jon Leuer in a salary dump ahead of the 2019-20 season. Leuer was cut shortly thereafter and announced his retirement in May.

Snell, meanwhile, spent most of the 2019-20 season as a starter, averaging 8.0 points and 2.2 assists while shooting 44.5 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from three. It was about the norm for Snell, who has provided solid defense and three-point shooting in stints with the Chicago Bulls, Bucks and Pistons. 

That makes him a nice piece for the rebuilding Pistons even if his ideal role in the future is coming off the bench. That could be his role next season with young players like Luke Kennard and Bruce Brown available on the wing. 

The Pistons may also address the position in the draft or free agency. But Snell is a nice stopgap if they don't. 

The Detroit Pistons are "extremely interested" in selecting Florida State forward Patrick Williams, to the point where he may have a draft promise from them, per John Hollinger of The Athletic.

"The hottest draft rumor is that Williams has a promise from the Pistons, or at the very least that they're extremely interested in him," Hollinger wrote. "Killian Hayes is the other name I've heard here, but at a much, much lower volume."

Detroit holds the No. 7 pick in the NBA draft, which will take place Wed., Nov. 18.

Williams played one season at Florida State, averaging 9.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 steal and 1.0 block per game. He turned 19 years old on Aug. 26 and is one of the youngest players in the class, per Brian Brennan of NBC Sports Philadelphia. 

The Williams-Pistons connection has been reported by others as well. James L. Edwards III of The Athletic  selected Williams in the website's NBA beat writer mock draft Monday.

Edwards explained why Williams could work in Detroit, which is also in need of a long-term point guard:

"The NBA has prioritized long, athletic wings who have the ability to guard multiple positions on defense and be creators on offense. Williams has the makings of someone who could fall in that category. At 6'8" with a 6'11" wingspan, Williams slots in at small forward but could also move over to play power forward in small-ball lineups. His body is NBA-ready now. Outside of Sekou Doumbouya, the Pistons lack someone of this ilk. Physically, Williams looks the part of a modern-day NBA wing."

Add Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times to the list of writers connecting Williams and the Pistons:

"Some scouts and executives believe Williams has a promise to the Pistons if he's still on the board here. Detroit must like Williams' combination of measurables, potential and youth, an ideal complementary player to any rotation. He wasn't that productive last season, but Williams' athleticism and two-way potential is eye-catching."

The Pistons are in full rebuilding mode: They traded center Andre Drummond to the Cleveland Cavaliers and added Troy Weaver from the Oklahoma City Thunder as their new general manager.

Detroit has some pieces to build around in recent first-round picks Luke Kennard and Sekou Doumbouya but needs more young, talented prospects after a 20-46 season. Christian Wood, a 25-year-old big man, broke out for Detroit when given more playing time, but he is an unrestricted free agent.

Free agency will begin Nov. 20. The 72-game season is scheduled to start Dec. 22.

Even without putting up big numbers in college, Florida State forward Patrick Williams continues to rise on NBA draft boards. 

James L. Edwards of The Athletic projected the Detroit Pistons would take the 6'8" prospect with the No. 7 overall pick, noting the team is "really interested in Williams."

Williams averaged 9.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in his freshman season at Florida State last season but has the "motor and grit" the Pistons are seeking.

Williams' intangibles ensures a high floor for the prospect, although he also has a high ceiling thanks to his physical attributes.

The forward is already an elite defender who averaged one block and one steal per game in college, with the size and strength needed to immediately match up with NBA opponents. He also has the versatility to defend multiple positions.

Offensively, Williams can attack the basket with regularity and could eventually develop a reliable outside shot.

His skill set could be valuable for the Pistons, which ranked just 22nd in the NBA in defensive efficiency.

More importantly, Detroit needs more upside from its roster as it tries to turn things around after a long stretch of disappointment. The squad went 20-46 last year and the franchise doesn't have a playoff win since 2008.

Blake Griffin is under contract for another season, but the young core includes Luke Kennard, pending free agent Christian Wood and a lot more unknowns.

The Pistons could add another building block with Williams at No. 7.

The Detroit Pistons are planning on organizing a meeting with LaMelo Ball ahead of the Nov. 18 draft, and are open to moving up from their assigned No. 7 pick when that day does come, according to Eric Woodyard of ESPN.

Woodyard reported that Ball, who is ranked by the network as the top prospect, has spent time in Michigan lately to train with former Pistons player Jermaine Jackson Sr., his mentor and manager. 

In his time in Michigan, Ball has given back to the community. Per Woodyard, he hosted a free youth basketball camp in Rochester Hills in October. Pistons general manager Troy Weaver cited Ball's knowledge of the city during media availability on Thursday (h/t Woodyard): 

"I'm always happy to hear players embrace our organization, our city. That never goes unnoticed. I know people around him, his trainer is a Detroit native so I'm sure he's been here for a while working out. I'm sure he's well versed in the city from traveling around, being with his trainer and hearing different things so, no, that doesn't go unnoticed and that's always a positive when prospects speak highly of the city and the organization."

Ball has already met with the Minnesota Timberwolves, who will make the first selection in the 2020 draft, and was also expected to meet with the Golden State Warriors, Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bulls, who hold the second, third and fourth selections, according to ESPN's Jonathan Givony.

But for all his meetings, Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer reported last week that "Ball is not performing very well at job interviews," which could be good news for the Pistons, whose No. 7 pick is their highest since 2010. 

The Detroit Pistons are open for business. 

Rather than being a player in free agency this offseason, ESPN's Zach Lowe reported Thursday that "Detroit has telegraphed to other teams that it would rather operate as a dumping ground for unwanted salaries, hoarding picks in the process, sources say." 

That will make the Pistons a popular team for contenders looking to bolster their roster via trades, even if it means including the Pistons as a third team to make salary matching work. 

One example of a team that could engage with the Pistons is the Philadelphia 76ers, who almost assuredly will try to shed Al Horford's contract this offseason, given how poorly he fits with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. 

A straight-up trade between the teams could be tricky. Would either team be thrilled with Horford and the No. 21 pick for Derrick Rose? Detroit might legitimately want more than that to take on the $81 million remaining on Horford's deal over the next three years. That's a lot to pay a 34-year-old center who, while still a solid contributor, is far past his prime, all while also losing Rose's 18.1 points per game. 

And the Sixers might question whether Rose—who shot 30.6 percent from three last season—is the best fit on a team that desperately needs shooters around Embiid and Simmons. Rose would fill one need in Philly, based on the team's lack of primary ball-handlers who can create their own offense, but he wouldn't space the floor in a meaningful way.

That could mean a franchise like Philly would instead engage the Pistons as a third team in a deal to balance out the financials. And that, of course, is just one example of a team that could contact them, looking to offload big salaries in exchange for draft capital. It's a smart approach for the rebuilding Pistons to take after finishing last season 20-46. Teams need to use every asset they have to increase their chances of landing star players, even if it's cap space in exchange for draft picks.

In what could be a guard-heavy draft, the Detroit Pistons' priorities appear to align with the talent available in the 2020 class. 

The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor reported the Pistons "have interest in playmakers."

O'Connor projected Detroit to select Iowa State guard Tyrese Haliburton with the No. 7 pick. In his most recent mock draft, Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman had the team trading back to No. 16 and adding Villanova swingman Saddiq Bey.

The Pistons are likely in the early stages of a complete rebuild after winning 20 games in 2019-20 and trading away Andre Drummond for salary relief.

Derrick Rose is in the final year of his contract and earns a modest $7.7 million, making him a prime trade asset. The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the more obvious fits.

Were Detroit to keep Rose through the trade deadline for some reason, the need to add a point guard would remain. This has persistently been one of the team's biggest issues.

The Pistons acquired Reggie Jackson in 2015 and gave him a five-year, $80 million extension to run the offense. Jackson averaged 16.2 points and 5.6 assists with the team. He also missed large chunks of the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons.

Jackson was ultimately a solid point guard but not one who was suited to lead the offense for a franchise with ambitions of a deep playoff run.

General manager Troy Weaver now has the opportunity to start over, and the 2020 draft offers no shortage of guards who are likely to be on the board when Detroit is on the clock. Of the top 20 players on Wasserman's big board, seven were considered point or combo guards.

If Weaver isn't enamored with Haliburton or Killian Hayes, he could presumably move back in the first round and still have a shot at landing Cole Anthony, Kira Lewis Jr. or Tyrell Terry.

Because they have so little in terms of genuine assets to take into their next phase, the Pistons can utilize a variety of approaches in the draft while furthering their long-term goals. A playmaker would be a good place to start.