Detroit Pistons Draft Targets: Updates on Top Prospects

Last week, the NBA held its annual draft combine in Chicago.

During this event, the top amateur talent is put on display, showcasing their physical attributes and doing their best to avoid seeing their stock slip. For the top players, this is also a chance to separate themselves from their competition and perhaps earn a higher draft grade.

Heading into the final stretch of draft preparation, the Detroit Pistons have a handful of players that they should be keying on. They won't know exactly where they will be drafting until the Draft Lottery on May 21st, but the smart money has them drafting somewhere between numbers seven through nine.

Let's take a look at what we have learned about the likely prospects that the Pistons are targeting following their performances at the combine.

Trey Burke: PG, Michigan

Trey Burke has had a meteoric rise during the past few months.

Last year when Burke flirted with the idea of declaring for the NBA draft, he was widely considered a second-round pick.

Even earlier this year, he was no higher on most draft boards than a mid-first rounder.

But following a transcendent NCAA Tournament performance that culminated in a close loss in the title game, Burke has seen his stock soar.

Heading into the combine, he was widely considered a top-10 pick, with some pundits putting him as high as a top three.

Combine results

The biggest knock on Burke has been his size. He is a true point guard that can score in just about every way possible, but he does not have prototypical size for the NBA.

Heading into the combine, Burke needed to show that he wasn't quite as small as some pundits feared he was.

Burke measured at just a hair over 6'1" in shoes, which is just about where he probably hoped to land. He was just a touch under 6'0" without shoes, which was to be expected.

He also measured a decent wingspan (6'5.5") and weighed slightly more than expected (187lbs).

Burke did not choose to participate in the activities part of the process, but that was to be expected. Most of the top players did not participate.

He did, however, have a nice max vertical leap of 36.5 inches and compared fairly well to his point guard competition in the agility and quickness drills.

Outlook

The Pistons probably only have one point guard on their list with their first pick, and that is without question Burke.

He has the rare intangibles that could make him a transcendent leader at the next level.

He has the heart, determination and pedigree to immediately help transform the culture in Detroit and bring back some winning ways.

The Pistons historically have only flourished with an elite point guard, and Burke is the only elite point guard in this draft.

That being said, questions remain as to whether or not he has the physical makeup to be successful at this level. Some argue that he will get pushed around on defense by physical guards and could have difficulty getting to the hoop in the NBA.

I have even heard some people whisper that Burke could be another Mateen Cleaves and could set the Pistons back even further.

Let's just put those fears to rest. Burke is no Cleaves.

Sure, both were great point guards that led local teams to postseason success. But Cleaves lacked athleticism, quickness and even a semblance of a shot.

Burke is quick, athletic and can hit shots from anywhere on the court.

He not only can create for others, but he can get his own shot whenever he wants it.

Obviously, there are no sure things in the the league. But Burke appears to be a fairly safe bet.

Some have compared him to Chris Paul, and there is reason to like that comparison. That being said, he probably won't be quite that good.

Personally, I think he is more likely to be a player like Mike Conley with the Memphis Grizzlies, albeit with better distribution qualities.

If the Pistons have indeed decided that Brandon Knight is better suited coming off the ball or off the bench as a super sub, then they need to do whatever possible to land Burke.

Otto Porter: F, Georgetown

Prior to the combine, Otto Porter was generally considered to be the top small forward prospect in this draft.

A long, wiry wing with a great shot, Porter spent the bulk of the season as somewhat of an enigma.

He would have great games where he would knock down everything, only to follow it up with questionable performances that raised red flags.

The biggest complaint that I have about Porter is that I am not sold on how good he will be at the next level. He lacks the elite athleticism of small forwards like Rudy Gay or Kevin Durant, but then again today's NBA only features a handful of those types of wings.

That is part of what is making Porter a more and more attractive option for teams looking to add a small forward.

Combine results

Few people, if any, expected any surprises in Porter's measurements.

He measured at about 6'8.5" with shoes with a fantastic 7'1.5" wingspan.

The only red flag in regards to his measurements was his weight. Porter weighed in at 197 pounds, which could be a problem at the next level.

Remember, Tayshaun Prince played the bulk of his career weighing around 220 and was about the same height.

Porter did fairly well in the drills and even managed a 36-inch max vertical leap.

Overall, he was slightly taller than most expected, but there weren't a lot of surprises with Porter.

Outlook

Porter remains the best small forward in this draft. The problem is with ceiling. What exactly does Porter project to be? He isn't an elite athlete, he struggles at times to create his own shot and it isn't clear how effective of a rebounder he will be at the next level.

I, personally, feel that Porter would be a safe, but unspectacular pick. He probably projects to be a player similar to Prince, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. His shooting range will help to open up space down low for the bigs.

Porter won't be a star and likely won't even make an All-Star game. But he probably will have a long and effective career.

Victor Oladipo: SG, Indiana

Heading into the combine, Victor Oladipo was viewed as perhaps the best athlete in this draft and a player that was destined to be an elite defender with offensive skills that still need to be developed.

Oladipo is an athletic freak. He has a tremendous motor and plays intelligently.

I have always viewed him as a rich man's Tony Allen. He could become a defensive stopper from day one and has the potential to add to his offensive game as well.

What's most important about Oladipo is that he has the desire to get better and the athleticism to do just that.

Combine results

Oladipo measured slightly shorter than some thought (6'4.25") but is a solid 213 pounds with just over six percent body fat.

Additionally, his wingspan was an impressive 6'9.25". This certainly helps make up for his lack of elite shooting guard height.

His lane agility time was amazing (10.69), and he jumped out of the gym (42-inch max vertical leap).

The combine proved that Oladipo is the most impressive athlete in this draft.

Outlook

If the Pistons are unable to draft Ben McLemore or Trey Burke, Oladipo is the next best thing.

He could step in and start right away or just develop into a sixth man defensive stopper.

Again, it comes down to what role the Pistons feel most comfortable placing Knight in.

But you have to like the idea of Oladipo and Andre Drummond playing in the same starting lineup, getting defensive stops and leading the break and filling the lane.

He may never be a superstar, but Oladipo could easily develop into an elite defender and a fan favorite in Detroit.

Ben McLemore: SG, Kansas

Ben McLemore is a long shot to be drafted by the Detroit Pistons. Let's just get that out of the way right now.

McLemore could be the No. 1 overall pick when all is said and done. Only he and Nerlens Noel are viewed as potential top picks in this draft.

Therefore, the Pistons likely would have to either win the first or second pick in order to have a chance at drafting McLemore.

But should they get this Kansas product, he could instantly transform this franchise.

McLemore is an elite athlete with explosive leaping ability and a good motor.

Additionally, he has perhaps the prettiest shot to come around since Ray Allen left Connecticut.

Combine results

Like Oladipo, McLemore was slightly smaller than some thought. He measured in at just a shade under 6'5", weighed only about 189 pounds and his wingspan was a solid 6'7.75".

His performance was somewhat uneven with a slightly slow lane agility time (11.87) but an impressive 42-inch max vertical jump.

Overall, McLemore didn't do anything to hurt his draft stock. He still likely will go in the top two.

Outlook

McLemore is one of the few transcendent talents in this draft. He could become a fan favorite and perhaps a superstar.

He has been compared favorably with both Ray Allen and Dwyane Wade due to his athleticism and shot.

If he could become even close to as good as these two, it would be quite an accomplishment.

I personally love his game. The only thing that gives pause is that he doesn't seem overly confident getting his own shot.

He is a solid ball-handler but not elite. He is a solid defender but has the athleticism to become even better.

He is a good rebounder for a guard but a poor distributor.

If the Pistons win the lottery, they will have a tough choice on their hands. McLemore is probably the best shooting guard prospect to come around in a few years, but how well would he fit in Detroit?

He has a lightning quick release, but without a good distributor in Detroit, how effective could he be?

Shabazz Muhammad: G/F, UCLA

Shabazz Muhammad had a tumultuous year at UCLA.

First, he was held out of the early season due to rule infractions.

Then, upon getting to UCLA, he appeared to be somewhat out of shape.

He ended up having a solid freshman year but was embroiled in controversy all season.

Some questioned his dedication to team ball and viewed him as selfish.

But Muhammad did silence the critics that wondered about his ability to shoot from deep.

Combine results

Muhammad was dogged by critics all season for a perceived lack of size and athleticism for the small forward position.

The combine did a lot to ease those critics. 

Muhammad measured in at just over 6'6", which was expected. He also was over 221 pounds, had an impressive 6'11" wingspan and his max vertical leap was a very solid 37.

Outlook

Muhammad still is perhaps a little undersized to play small forward in the NBA, but his skills should allow him to make up for some of that as should his wingspan.

He can shoot from deep, he has a great motor and plays smart.

But while he lacks elite athleticism, he should find a way to fit in right away with his skills.

With Detroit, Muhammad would slide in right away as the starting small forward. He doesn't tend to create his own shot, but he would space out the floor pretty well for the big men down low.

However, the Pistons certainly have other players that should be considered as higher options.

Muhammad probably isn't an elite talent but should have a very nice career.