Who the Detroit Pistons Should Target in 2015 NBA Draft

The Detroit Pistons have missed the playoffs for six consecutive seasons, but finding the right prospect in the 2015 NBA draft could help to turn around their fortunes.

A 32-50 record in 2014-15 put the Pistons at eighth-worst in the NBA, and that gives them a 72.4 percent chance of picking at No. 8 after the upcoming draft lottery. They do have a 1-in-10 shot at moving up to a top-three pick, and they also have a 16.8 percent chance of falling down to No. 9. or a 0.8 percent chance of dropping to No. 10.

Barring any pre-draft trades, coach and team president Stan Van Gundy will have to fill one of two holes in the starting lineup with that pick. Andre Drummond is the franchise centerpiece in the middle, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope looks like a prototypical three-and-D guy and Reggie Jackson or Brandon Jennings will be a solid starter at point guard.

That leaves the two forward positions. Greg Monroe started most of the season at power forward, but he is an unrestricted free agent and a questionable fit next to Drummond. The Pistons won't know his intentions until after the draft, though Monroe says his current team can still bring him back. 

"I have ties here; I have been here my whole (adult) life," Monroe said to The Detroit News. "They drafted me, so of course I am going to listen to them with the same ear as I listen to everybody else. They have the upper hand."

Selecting a power forward in the lottery could simply protect Van Gundy from losing Monroe in July.

Small forward holds a much clearer picture: Nobody on the roster should be a starter next season. After trading Kyle Singler to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the trade for Jackson at the deadline, the Pistons used Caron Butler and Tayshaun Prince—both 35—in the starting lineup. It was the weakest spot on the roster by a wide margin, and there is no candidate currently on the roster to step into the position.

If Van Gundy chooses to go after a power forward, he should look for someone to fit next to Drummond: a 4 with athleticism and the ability to knock down outside jumpers. If he selects a wing, it should be a prospect with potential to be a lockdown defender who can hit threes. Either way, getting good, young talent is imperative to ending Detroit's recent struggles.

Kelly Oubre Jr., SF, Kansas

Several small forwards could be available where the Pistons will likely be picking in the middle of the lottery, but Kansas freshman Kelly Oubre could be the one who ends up as the best NBA player down the road.

In some ways, he is one of the least-polished options available at the 3. It took him a while to get consistent minutes at Kansas. And he made only 35.8 percent of his threes in college—at a shorter line than he'll be shooting from in the NBA. There is a real chance Oubre may have trouble earning minutes right away after getting drafted.

But if Van Gundy is willing to have some patience, the Pistons could be rewarded by waiting for Oubre to develop. Offensively, he is a good mid-range shooter and can finish well near the rim. Physically, he is 6'7" with a 7'2" wingspan. The tools are there to be a difference-maker on the defensive end.

"He has the ability to get places on the floor because of the athleticism he does possess, a 7-foot-2 wingspan and very good basketball anticipation," ESPN's Fran Fraschilla wrote. "At worst, in time, this will enable him to develop into an above-average NBA wing defender."

Pairing Oubre on the wing with Caldwell-Pope (also 6'7") would allow Van Gundy defensive flexibility with a lot of switching—much like what the Golden State Warriors did with their top-ranked defense. Throw in the 6'3" Jackson, who can defend many shooting guards, and selecting Oubre could put the Pistons on the path to an elite defense of their own. And with a seven-to-14-range projection by ESPN, it could become a reality.

Kevon Looney, F, UCLA

If Van Gundy looks to replace Monroe on draft day, UCLA freshman forward Kevon Looney has all of the attributes to be an ideal pairing with Drummond.

At 6'10" with a 7'3" wingspan, he has excellent length for a power forward. Weighing just 210 pounds, Looney will need to fill out his frame, but he is athletic for a 4 and can even slide to the small forward at times—versatility the Pistons may need.

Offensively, Drummond is anchored near the rim—76.6 percent of his shots came within five feet of the basket. Looney has shown off an outside jumper which would spread the floor around Drummond, hitting 41.5 percent of his threes in college.

Like Oubre, drafting Looney would require some patience by Van Gundy. But the big man should be a good rebounder right away. He was second among all NCAA freshman at 9.2 boards per game, and he proved particularly adept on the offensive end.

"Looney has a great knack for crashing the offensive glass, showing terrific instincts and timing going out of his area and pursuing loose balls using his superior wingspan, often without even jumping," Jonathan Givony of Draft Express wrote. "He shows a very nice competitive spirit here, boxing out well and not being afraid to mix things up with older and stronger players than him."

Looney just turned 19 in February, and it will likely take some time for him to develop into an NBA starter. But he has all of the physical tools to be an exceptional big man, and his skill set should fit quite nicely next to Drummond. ESPN projects him to be drafted between No. 7 and No. 14, so Van Gundy may get the chance to pair the two bigs.

Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona

Arizona freshman small forward Stanley Johnson is the prospect who seems most ready to help the Pistons defensively on the wing. 

While Oubre and other available wings will need time to add strength, Johnson is already a dominant physical specimen. He doesn't turn 19 until May, but he is already 6'7" and 237 pounds with a 6'11" wingspan. His body has gotten him comparisons to Kawhi Leonard and Metta World Peace—the last two perimeter players to earn NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Johnson proved to be a strong on-ball defender in his lone collegiate season, and he averaged 1.5 steals per game. He also was a solid rebounder for a small forward, at 6.5 rebounds per contest.

Offensively, he is still a work in progress. His biggest strength is his aggressiveness, as Johnson appears fearless when attacking the rim. His outside shooting was solid at 37.1 percent from the arc, though he certainly won't be a knockdown shooter right away. Improving at finishing near the rim will be important to his game as he develops.

Beyond the defensive potential, Johnson's biggest strengths are his high-energy play and his knack for winning at every level, having earned four state titles in California and three FIBA gold medals for Team USA. His willingness to put in the work to be successful at the NBA level will be an enormous asset. 

"He is a gym rat and worker," Fraschilla wrote. "He has soaked up a season's worth of great coaching under Miller and his staff at Arizona. That type of coaching will continue in the NBA, so Johnson will have many opportunities to smooth out his weaknesses."

By drafting Johnson, Van Gundy would have the opportunity to mold a potentially elite wing defender. Johnson and Caldwell-Pope could be a very feisty defensive pairing on the perimeter, and Johnson could even switch to smaller power forwards at times because of his strength. 

His shooting should develop as his career progresses, and drawing fouls in the lane should always be a source of offense because of his aggressiveness. ESPN projects him to be selected in the eight-to-13 range, likely making him available for Van Gundy and the Pistons. If they want a proven defender and winner, this is the direction they'll head.

Jakub Rudnik covers the Detroit Pistons as a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.

Follow @jakubrudnik