Detroit Pistons 2024 post-lottery mock draft: Elite shooters could still be there at No. 5
CHICAGO — No rest for the wicked — or in this case, the cellar-dwellers.
The Detroit Pistons, after a franchise-worst 14-win season, fell four spots and ended up with the fifth overall pick in the NBA Draft Lottery for the second year in a row on Sunday. Here's our first post-lottery mock draft, breaking down how the top-five picks could shake out. The organization will get much more information on its preferred draft targets this week as it navigates the NBA draft combine.
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1. Atlanta Hawks — F/C Alex Sarr
Vitals: 7 feet 1, 216 pounds.
From: France.
Averages: 9.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 1 steal, 18 minutes.
The Hawks were the big winners on Sunday, leaping nine spots following a 36-win season and a play-in tournament loss to the Chicago Bulls. Sarr is emerging as the house favorite to be drafted first overall. He would jumpstart a potential rebuild as the Hawks weigh the possibility of splitting their Trae Young-Dejounte Murray backcourt, which hasn’t delivered postseason success. The French big has some wing skill on offense and is the best overall defensive prospect in the draft — a nimble 7-footer who covers the entire floor.
2. Washington Wizards — C Donovan Clingan
Vitals: 7-2, 280.
From: Connecticut.
Averages: 13 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 1.5 assists (0.8 turnovers).
If there’s a player who can challenge Sarr’s claim as the draft’s best defensive prospect, it’s Clingan. The sophomore big appears to be a top-10 lock after a strong performance during UConn's NCAA tournament title run, showcasing his dominance as a rim protector, finisher and passer. He’s a plug-and-play center in an era where bigs need to not only be able to defend, but shoot or pass well to stay on the floor. Washington could use a big after parting with Daniel Gafford last season.
3. Houston Rockets — F Zaccharie Risacher
Vitals: 6-9, 210.
From: France.
Averages: 10.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 38.8% from 3 (3.5 attempts).
After going all-in in free agency last summer and finishing with 41 wins, the Rockets inexplicably find themselves with yet another top-four pick (thanks to this pick from Brooklyn via trade). Houston is stocked with talented young wings, but Risacher’s longterm upside is still worth swinging on. The French forward is one of the draft’s best shooters and brings length and effort on defense, making him a prototypical 3-and-D wing in a league that’s obsessed with them.
4. San Antonio Spurs — G Nikola Topic
Vitals: 6-6, 201.
From: Serbia.
Averages: 15 points, 5.7 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 49.8% overall, 30.6% from 3.
It’s only fitting that the Spurs go with the top point guard a year after finding their franchise centerpiece in Victor Wembanyama. Topic is one of the draft’s more complete players — skilled at passing and running pick and rolls and possessing great touch at the rim. His low 3-point percentage is a red flag, but his high percentages at the rim and free throw line (87.7%) suggest he may be able to extend his range.
5. Detroit Pistons — G Reed Sheppard
Vitals: 6-3, 187.
From: Kentucky.
Stats: 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, 2.5 steals, 53.6% overall, 52.1% from 3.
Well, here we are again. Sunday’s brutal result was deflating not only for fans, but for an organization that needs all the help it can get and has now suffered back-to-back worst-case lottery outcomes. Whether or not they should keep or trade the pick will be an ongoing debate. Sheppard could be a reason why they keep it.
Yes, I have the Pistons taking another guard despite trading for the first-round pick used on Marcus Sasser at No. 25 overall last year and selecting Jaden Ivey (No. 5) and Cade Cunningham (No. 1) in 2022 and 2021. The ideal pick here could be Risacher, who would be a longterm solution at power forward, or G League Ignite standout Matas Buzelis, who also brings two-way skill at the four. But Sheppard’s flamethrower shooting and all-around skills make him an intriguing fit with Detroit’s other guards, particularly Cunningham.
Reed was an absurdly efficient scorer as a freshman and is one of the best shooters in the draft thanks to his deep range and high volume (144 attempts). He knocked down more than half of his attempts from 3 and inside the arc. Combine that with his passing and ability to force turnovers and defend within the scheme, and he’s one of the higher-floor players in the draft. Detroit has long lacked elite shooting, and Sheppard should have few issues thriving alongside Cunningham or Ivey.
Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him @omarisankofa.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons 2024 post-lottery mock draft: Elite shooters at No. 5?
