After years of watching the Detroit Pistons complete a frenzy of moves on draft night with former General Manager Troy Weaver at the helm, the beginning of the newly-hired President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon era began considerably quieter. However, the Pistons seem to have a plan for a change. The draft showed off the Pistons new preference: lengthy and athletic. Additionally, the Tim Hardaway JR. trade advertises the Pistons plan of adding serviceable veterans in exchange for draft picks.
Ron Holland, 5th Overall Pick
The Pistons selected 18-year-old wing Ron Holland from the G-League Ignite with the 5th overall pick. Holland is an exceptional athlete with a reportedly high motor. He stands at 6'8" and 200 pounds. Many fans and media personalities have concerns about his lack of shooting prowess, 23.9% from 3PT range and 68.2% from the FT line. Shooting is undeniably needed, but the team may pursue improvements through free agency and the trade market.
Another concern is how his game in the G-League translates to the NBA. The G-League is unreliable for predicting how statistics will translate to the NBA. The G-League Ignite hasn't created a bevy of stars out of the draft. The program mainly produced strong athletes who struggled to adjust to the NBA game.
Holland averaged 18.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. He also averaged 3.5 turnovers per game for the Showcase Cup. Then he averaged 20.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.5 steals, and 2.9 turnovers per game in the regular season.
Some issues with gaging the numbers include the 28-game sample size and the complete lack of defense in the G-League. From what I've seen, and his highlight reel confirms this, it's pretty much a run-and-gun style of game with straight lines to the basket.
The Pistons drafted Holland because of his upside and the addition of "Shot Doctor" assistant coach Fred Vinson. Many media members have been quick to remind the Pistons of his work in New Orleans with a similar player, Herb Jones. Jones, too, stands at 6'8". In college, Jones shot 28.8% from beyond the arc. In his third season in the NBA, that number is now 41.8%. Langdon mentioned in his opening press conference that he will be drafting for upside more than anything else.
Fans shouldn't panic if Holland starts his NBA career slow. Shooting isn't fixed overnight. By selecting Holland, the Pistons have confirmed they will stay the course by building a young core. They would have selected a more NBA-ready player if they had wanted to accelerate their timeline. After years of abysmal play, the fans have a right to want the team to make drastic changes; however, much like with the Detroit Tigers and Al Avila's reign, the mess will take some time to clean up.
Bobi Klintman, Pick 37
Bobi Klintman appears to be another high-upside selection. At 6'10' and with a strong shooting touch, he could develop into the stretch four the Pistons have been searching for. His potential is mainly on the offensive end, but his wingspan could also help him become an elite defender. I think this pick has good value in this position. Some mock drafts had him in the late first round. He averaged 5.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game at Wake Forest while shooting 36.8% from the 3PT. He had a larger impact during his time in the NBL. He could transition quickly to the NBA game, but it'll likely take some time for him to develop and bulk up (currently 212 pounds).
Wendell Moore JR., Trade
Wendell Moore JR (6'5") could provide the Pistons with some shooting, but he hasn't cracked the rotation in his NBA career. Of course, that should be easier with the Pistons. He'll likely get a chance to prove himself and compete for minutes after the Quentin Grimes trade. The Pistons took on his contract to move up in the second round; however, the former first-round pick could develop given playing time. In college, he earned himself a reputation as a good shooter. On this team, I wouldn't write anyone off as a rotation piece, but it seems likely that he'll have to work to get there.
Trajan Langdon Type
The Langdon era began with the 2024 NBA Draft. The length, athleticism, and potential of his first two picks indicate that he places a premium on those qualities over more polished prospects. He brings this philosophy from New Orleans. As he noted in his press conference following the first round, he hires staff such as Vinson to address any basketball issues like shooting. If he strikes on one or more of these players, the media will praise him down the line. If they do not develop, another person will start yet another rebuild in a few years.
Tim Hardaway JR., Trade
This trade is a homerun. Adding a player who can score and play some defense on a team that desperately needs those qualities, along with veteran leadership, bodes well for fans clamoring for a competitive team (note that competitive isn't the same as good). Hardaway will contribute more on the court this season than other cap dumps in the past, like Joe Harris. Hardaway averaged 14.4 points while shooting 35.3% 3PT coming off the bench. The trade also brought three second-round picks. These picks could become contributors or an opportunity to move up in a future draft. The Pistons may continue to make trades like this before free agency begins. They can collect assets from teams looking to clear cap space. They still have $50M in cap space.
Daniss Jenkins and Tolu Smith III, Undrafted Free Agents
Jenkins stands at 6'3 and 165 lbs. He averaged 14.9 points and 5.4 assists at St. John's. The Pistons find another high-upside player with a 2-way contract. His coach at St.John's had good things to say about him.
The Pistons also signed Tolu Smith III (6'11") from Mississippi State. He averaged 15.0 points and 8.1 rebounds per game in his senior season.
What's Next?
The Pistons will likely continue adding high-upside talent and complementing it with veteran pieces on reasonable contracts. The team will likely add another player like Hardaway JR. to add draft capital but don't be surprised if they add someone like Tobias Harris in free agency. Based on what they've done so far, the focus will likely be on adding a 4 or a 5. One of those could be Simone Fontechio. That will depend on the price. So, keep an eye out for what comes next.
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