What up doeeeee! Detroit, stand up!
The 2023 NBA draft is now complete as so many young men fulfilled their dreams last night and took the next step in their basketball careers. Now that we’re just shy of a day since commissioner Adam Silver called the last prospect’s name–Chris Livingston–let’s take a look at how my Detroit Pickton’s-sorry, Pistons did in this year’s draft.
The Pistons held the 5th and 31st picks in this year’s draft and I think I can speak for most fans when I say I’m thrilled to have gone with Ausar Thompson at five. Along with Thompson, the Pistons acquired Houston guard Marcus Sasser in a trade with the Boston Celtics which bumped them up from the 31st pick to the 25th. The Pistons had to send the 31st pick along with future second round picks but I think it’s a fair deal for Sasser.
Ausar Thompson
Thompson became a frontrunner for the Pistons in recent weeks, if not days, and his ceiling is through the roof. Before I get into that though I have to address Cam Whitmore sliding to 20.
Whitmore was one of the prospects that was slated to be a high lottery pick as many mock drafts, analysts and even the betting odds had him going to Detroit at five. It became more apparent though that NBA teams and scouts were weary of his medicals which made him fall to the Houston Rockets with that 20th pick.
I won’t lie, I’m very jealous of Houston. They pretty much won the draft. Picking Amen Thompson at four and snatching up Whitmore at 20 is just great work by the organization so props to them.
Now that I got that out of the way, WELCOME TO DETROIT AUSAR THOMPSON.
Thompson is an absolute freak athlete standing at 6’7 with a 7’0 wingspan who has a motor and work ethic second to none. He brings insane athleticism, speed, great finishing around the rim and a solid mid range game that could be developed even further. While his outside game isn’t as developed, I have no doubt in my mind that he can become a serviceable three point shooter given his work ethic and the fact he’ll be training with top NBA trainers now.
I think he’s going to slot right into that small forward position to play alongside Detroit’s young core of Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren. This can get scary for opposing defenses as this team can become one of the best in transition.
While Detroit ranked 22nd in points in transition last season, I expect that ranking to change in the coming years with the addition of Thompson to the offense.
This team can really push the tempo off of turnovers with their speed and athleticism which is what I’m most excited about. Plus with potential additions in free agency and the appointment of Monty Williams, the Pistons can take that next step this upcoming season.
I can see Thompson developing into a dangerous off-ball wing player with the potential of even playing a 3 and D role. I know his shooting from outside the arc isn’t the greatest like I said before, but he has all the tools available to improve in that area.
Thompson averaged 16 points per game, seven rebounds and six assists with the City Reapers of Overtime Elite and stood out to me as the perfect fit for Detroit. His defensive potential is sky high given his build, his mentality seems to be elite when it comes to putting in work and he is definitely NBA ready in that regard.
I like the pick from general manager Troy Weaver. Weaver mentioned to the media prior to the draft that he was going for a “big swing” this year and he came through with that statement.
“I like the long ball,” Weaver said. “I’m not bunting or trying to slap it into short center. I take a big swing. Especially if I only have one chance at it. If I have three chances, OK, I may bunt one. But one chance at it, I’m going for the big fly. That’s me.”
Weaver definitely swung hard as hell with this pick and I couldn’t be more excited to see how Thompson develops with the organization.
Marcus Sasser
Heading into the draft I didn’t pay too much attention to Marcus Sasser though I knew he was going to be a solid prospect.
Sasser is a 6 ‘2 guard out of the University of Houston and is just an all around dawg. For me, his defense stands out the most as he is super gritty, plays with passion and isn’t afraid of contact whatsoever.
Not only does his defense stand out, but this guy can really shoot the ball.
Sasser averaged 17 points per game, shot 46% (122 3PA) on catch and shoot threes, 40% on contested catch and shoot threes (57 3PA), 51% on open catch and shoot threes (51 3PA) and 38% overall from downtown last season.
With the Pistons definitely needing some help on that front of the offense, Sasser seems like a perfect fit coming off the bench. Not only can he provide efficient shooting and floor spacing, he is a pest on the other side of the ball and I’m super excited to see the energy he brings on the court.
I think he’s the perfect combo guard that Detroit has been looking for in their rotation and he will compliment Cunningham and Ivey very nicely.
The addition of Sasser does raise questions about the futures of Killian Hayes though.
Hayes has not been the most efficient shooter during this three year career as he hovers around 37% field goal percentage with 27% from three. This has been a concern for fans during his tenure with the team though he is still young and has time to develop.
Along with the shooting, he’s very left hand dominant and it doesn’t seem like much has changed in that department. It’s not the biggest deal in the world but when defenders know your tendencies inside and out, you’re going to get shut down more often than not.
Don’t get me wrong I back Killian all the way and hope he develops further, but there is definitely a lot of room for improvement in his game.
Back to Sasser though.
Objectively I feel bad for Boston trading this pick away because he seems like the perfect Marcus Smart replacement. After the C’s sent Smart packing for Memphis in a three team deal with the Washington Wizards and Grizzlies, they needed to address his departure in this year’s draft.
Personally, I’m so happy that Detroit got their guy and I’m even more happy that they took him from Boston and Jack Emerson. Detroit, stand up! Boston, kick rocks.
What’s next
Following the draft, GM Weaver took some questions in regards to their decisions on the night and here’s my favorite thing he told the media:
“These guys we drafted are absolute Pistons,” Weaver said after the draft.
This is exactly-I don’t mean to sound like Kat Williams but-this exactly what I’ve been waiting for.
I, along with other Pistons fans I’m sure, can see the vision that Weaver and the front office have for this team. All the guys Weaver has drafted over the last few years have been absolute dawgs who are ready to work and restore Detroit to winning ways.
All these young guys have an elite mentality for being 20-22 and it’s just great to see such high quality men being part of the organization.
As we enter free agency, it’s going to be interesting to see where Detroit goes from here. The Pistons have retained Bojan Bogdonovic after it seemed he may be on the move on draft night. With the retention of the whole team from last season, we could see some guys on the way out like Hayes who I mentioned before.
There have also been rumors of acquiring Cam Johnson in free agency which I think would be another great addition to this young team. He can space the floor and knock down shots from deep which again, Detroit needs.
As a restricted free agent the Brooklyn Nets could match Detroit’s offer if they go in for him so I wouldn’t get my hopes up too high. Regardless, the 27-year-old can truly make a solid impact if he winds up in the 313.
Overall I’m going to give the Pistons a B for this year’s draft. The organization was focused on drafting players who can make an immediate impact defensively and they nailed the hammer on the head. Thompson has incredible upside defensively and Sasser has proven he can defend at a high level.
The Pistons also added much needed depth on the wing and-in my opinion-a better back up to Cunningham in Sasser.
While the team addressed what they wanted to, they did have to give up future second round picks to get Sasser. I feel like the Pistons didn’t have to give up future assets but ultimately I’m very happy with the trade in general.
Detroit also signed Tosan Evbuomwan out of Princeton University on a two-way deal after he went undrafted. At 6’8 and coming off of a career year from downtown having shot 32% from three, I’m excited to see how he develops as he can bring even more wing depth to this team.
It’s definitely going to be a fun off-season for the entire league but for me, I’m hyped to see what Detroit does this summer.
What up doeeeee!
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Detroit Pistons
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