KEY POINTS
- The NBA Draft is set to happen on July 29 at the Barclays Center
- Big boards project Cunningham, Green, Mobley as the top three picks
- Pistons GM Weaver says, "They all fit"
For teams that are struggling to compete in a talent-heavy league, draft picks are considered a luxury.
Secret Base’s “Chosen” series highlighted the importance of a draft pick and how franchises should consider very well whether a draft pick is worth keeping or not.
Many fans still look back to the top-heavy 2003 NBA Draft as it featured transcendent superstars like Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, where the Detroit Pistons infamously selected Darko Milicic at No. 2.
The selection has since haunted the franchise as Anthony, Bosh and Wade would go on to become multi-time All-Stars, and the latter two would become NBA champions with James when they joined forces in Miami.
This year, the Pistons have the number one overall draft pick and they’re not looking to waste it this time around.
With top-level talent set to rival the stellar 2018 draft class, the 2021 draft features Oklahoma State combo guard, Cade Cunningham, G League Ignite shooting guard Jalen Green, USC center Evan Mobley and Gonzaga point guard Jalen Suggs.
This time, there are no excuses for the Pistons to swing and miss for a franchise-defining talent.
Pistons general manager Troy Weaver was asked about their draft strategy going into tomorrow’s draft.
“They all fit. We won 20 games… they all fit,” he said.
Most media onlookers and draft big boards project them selecting Cunningham first overall as his fit with Killian Hayes is undeniable.
Cunningham is a great prospect to have on the Pistons as his ability to create shots, make plays, and shoot spot-up threes slots him in perfectly between Hayes and forward Jerami Grant.
By this point, front offices have already selected their number one pick, much like how the Phoenix Suns already declared Deandre Ayton as their No. 1 pick even before the draft back in 2018.
The Pistons are looking to expedite the rebuilding process with the top pick, and the city of Detroit is more than welcome of having him.
Cunningham was spotted at the Detroit Tigers’ 14-0 win over the Texas Rangers, and fans at Comerica Park were spotted on social media chanting “We want Cade!”
“I wanted to meet with the team with the No. 1 pick and I feel like I’m the No. 1 pick,” Cunningham said during a media availability via video call Friday. “I met with Detroit, they’re the ones that had the pick.”
The 6-foot-8 point guard will have to wait for his fate alongside his peers on Thursday, July 29, at the Barclays Center for the 2021 NBA Draft.
