Probably too early to throw out any specific names, but what are the positions of need for the Pistons from y'alls perspective.

I think it's obvious we need a C of the future, but can you get that late in the first round?

Also, I've kind of lost track where things stand with the 2nd rounder that we are owed from Minny, which potentially could be a valuable early 2nd rounder (non-guaranteed contract).

Anybody got the latest poop on that?

I know we revisited that a month or two ago, but I can't remember which thread.

i know we just drafted a buttload of guards, but nbadraft has dj augustine, the pg from texas, falling to our range. if that holds true, he would atleast fill a need with LH's inevitable retirement looming.

i personally am hoping for a blockbuster trade though, we dont really need more youth.

also, nbadraft has ty lawson going #27 in next year's draft. something tells me thats rather innacurate. he'd be my ideal draft pick, although i agree get big size is always a good idea. a true sf wouldnt hurt, either.

Since Hayes and Herrmann are both free agents, SF is a real possibility, too.

I agree that you have to start wondering how much yoot is "too much yoot".

With Hunter, Murray, Brezec, Herrmann and Hayes all potentially gone, Mr. Moneybags might instruct Joe to pack the roster with cheap contracts.

not that espn is the end all, be all, but they have lawson and augustine going #12 and #14 in this years draft, respectively. that sounds alot more accurate than nbadraft's seeding. getting a sf at the bottom of the first round would probably be optimal, actually. how often do you find a pg down there? and as far drafting a big man, anyone there i would think would be a massive project, and id honestly prefer to just give that spot to primoz brezec, who is only 28 and probably better than anything we could hope for inthe draft.

Since we will have one of the last first rounders and most likely the first second rounder how far could we move up? The 18-20 range maybe? That would help us more than two guys that won't get any PT. If we did that I'd say go SF. Maybe Bill Walker falls, he is a 2/3 but probably too small... or Dante Greene could still be around. Tyler Hansbrough could go anywhere, and I agree that I'm not sold on his pro game. I think he would be a 3, and would probably pair up nice with JMax making the most energetic hustle-oriented 3/4 combo in the league, let alone off the bench.

hansborough would fit in line with the tayshaun prince and aaran afflalo draft picks, guys who were megastars at the colegiate level that gms thought their way out of taking.

i would like that pick just for the toughness factor he would bring to our team. i think i saw someone on here call him a pussy, lol. i could see him having a nocioni style game, with a bit higher of a b-ball iq.

fwiw, espn has him at #30 this year, and nbadraft has him at #30 next year.

if we were to draft him, i think we'd want him to slim down a little and be a true sf. at 245 hed be more of a tweener, i'd think.

Unfortunately we need a center and you don't get many in the late first.

don't mean to just trash on someone else's idea, but i'm not a fan of hansborough at all. well, not on his nba potential anyway. he's a nice hustler and collegiate player but his skills do not translate well to the nba game IMO.

to see him have shot after shot blocked at the NCAA level raises some serious concerns about how he'd finish in the paint against much bigger, stronger, and more athletic players. and it's not like he has a great step back jumper to be a shooting big man.

he's extremely slow and unathletic and i don't see how he could ever transition to the 3 spot. his skill set is strictly that of a 4 and he will have to really bulk up and someone improve his quickness and athleticism to just be able to survive at the nba level IMO.

i personally just don't see him doing much at all, unless he strictly becomes a hustler type of guy who will dive on the floor, be a good cheerleader, and sometimes use his 6 fouls. other than that i don't see him being able to compete from a physical standpoint.

JMO

^^ I totally agree with you, that's why I said I'm not sold on his pro game. I was just pointing out that if his game translated even some, off the bench he would be a great energy guy. Your assesment is totally accurate though.

I'd say go for the best available non-SG or PF. A SF is the best bet.

You know, we do have a C of the future already on the roster. His name is Samb. After a year in the D-League I'd like to think he's about as good as anyone we'd pick up at the tail-end of the first round. I think we've got Max, Amir, and Samb as bigs of the future, so how much time would we be able to devote to developing another big?

As for the idea of taking the Minny pick and packaging it with our own, I love that idea. We already have 5 young guys developing for us. How many roster spots can we really fill up with young developing talent? Are we going to have room to keep around two draft picks that may not contribute much? I'd much rather see us package them and send them to a team looking to add a pick. Hell, throw in our own 2nd rounder to go with it if they're not entirely sold, unless we see a real project that's going to plummet in the draft (Samb, Amir) that we could pick up and let play in the D-League or overseas for a few years first.

I'll have to go take a look at where people are ranked to get an idea. I haven't visited nbadraft yet this season.

You know, we do have a C of the future already on the roster. His name is Samb. After a year in the D-League I'd like to think he's about as good as anyone we'd pick up at the tail-end of the first round. I think we've got Max, Amir, and Samb as bigs of the future, so how much time would we be able to devote to developing another big?

We may not be able to find a better center at the end of the second, that is true. However, I worry about that trio scoring. All of them should probably spend most of their time around the basket. Max has hit some midrange jumpers, but I don't know if Amir or Samb will have a decent jumper. We haven't seen enough of them yet. I definately think they all can be good defenders and rebounders though. We'll see I guess. I just don't see a bigger need. SF isn't a big need for me, you can always find a vet to play 10 minutes off the bench behind Tay.

Well, I don't think that them scoring away from the basket should be as much of a concern. Yes, its nice to have that option like with Sheed, but its not necessary. Max has shown a nice little mid-range jumper that i'm sure he'll keep developing, and I remember seeing Amir developing a mid-range game in preseason. I remember Samb hitting a couple mid-range jumpers too. So if they can develop that a bit more and they keep working around the basket, I'm fine with the outside shooting coming from the 1-3.

All you need is enough of a jumper to hit them when Stuckey drives the lane and has to kick it out to you. It's better to have big men that operate in the paint mostly, but nice to be able to hit the jumper and make them guard you outside the paint (unlike what we had with Ben here).

And I think that Max already has that, Amir has been developing it, and Samb could develop it over time, he's shown flashes of it in preseason. I like moving along with the 3 young bigs we have and going after the best player available.

I haven't seen enough of the latter 2 to judge them. Max progressed his jumper a lot from last year to this. I think he'll be solid with his. As long as Max is consistant with his jumper you can afford a guy that is more of a defensive specialist like Samb may be. We should send Samb to Kareem and have him work on his hook like Bynum did. I doubt he'd do it for a non-laker though.

Well, the pistons have to have SOME ex-center somewhere that would be willing to come in and work with the young guys. What about bringing in Big Bill when the Shock aren't in season? I mean, the game's changed from when he played but I'm sure he could share a few tricks with them, teach them a few things.

What about bringing in Big Bill when the Shock aren't in season? I mean, the game's changed from when he played but I'm sure he could share a few tricks with them, teach them a few things.

alcoholism?

sorry, that was a cheap shot

What do you guys think of taking Drew Neitzel with our late 2nd rounder? he's ranked 2nd round to undrafted by ESPN and he wasn't on the nbadraft.net list at all. I mean, we're not likely to get anything out of that pick anyway, why not take a local guy and give him a shot? he's one of those hustle players that you like keeping around at the end of the bench. You know, great for practice, won't complain, and all that stuff. We all know Mr.D is going to want some extremely cheap contracts filling out our roster next year, so why not give him a shot?

Edit: He's currently ranked 100th by ESPN. He's averaging 4.7 a/to this year. 45% from the field, 46% from 3. Anyone know why he's ranked so low? I haven't seen much MSU ball this year.

Mateen II

Probably true. But would Mateen have been worth a gamble late in the second round, or as an undrafted FA?

hes a scrawny white kid whos played as a shoot first guard since his frosh year. he has no future in the nba. hes got europe written all over him.

Mateen II

More like Flip Murray part two.

Actually, he reminds me a lot of Jason Williams with slightly less handles. We don't really need a shoot first PG here with Stuckey though.

hes shoot first because izzo told him to be. he was a pass first pg his frosh year. had msu kept better talent the last 3 years, neitzel probably would have stayed as a pass first pg and maybe had some nba potential. the way his game has developedl, i dont see any role he would have in the nba.

He seems like one of those guys that could sit at the end of the bench or go to the D-League and learn how to better run a team, eventually being a good backup. He's got a good shot and he's been a better decision-maker this year (based on numbers and a few friends' opinions).

Any ideas for our late 1st and early 2nd rounder?

I'd probably spend our 2nd rounder on a PG and hope he can develop into a solid backup PG.

Isn't Stuckey our solid backup PG? Never hurts to have another though, just asking.

What about Hasheem Thabeet or Ante Tomic dropping to us in the first, or possibly trading our first and early second to move up for them. Both are high potential big men. I'd love to pick up Tomic. He's supposed to have a pretty good offensive game and just needs some strength work.

Edit: Backup PGs late in the 2nd -
Rudy Mbemba? Guy out of Sweden, a bit small but extremely quick, just tries to be too flashy at times. He's 5'11"ish and he likes to dunk in traffic. Just someone I noticed while browsing ESPN and nbadraft. Killing time at work.

Anton Ponkrashov? 6'8" PG who would much rather pass then shoot. Supposed to be a great passer who will find ways to get the ball where he wants it. Possibly stuck in Moscow for another season, but I see nothing wrong with that if he's a late second rounder. Gives him another year of seasoning at the top level of the Russian league.

I think the guards are pretty well set if AA and RS continue to develop. We've got AJ, Max, allow me to mention Brezec for backups, but a SF for a Tay breather might help

I was looking at backup SFs and took a look at Kyle Singler from Duke (before realizing he was a freshman and probably wouldn't be in the draft). As soon as I saw "Similarities:Adam Morrison meets Mike Dunleavy" I stopped reading. This was the correct response, no?

Danilo Gallinari - SF from Italy
I tend to favor guys that are considered unselfish, because it seems to fit our team. If he has a good season he probably won't fall to us.

Isn't Stuckey our solid backup PG? Never hurts to have another though, just asking.

Yes, but my thought was eventually he'll be starting (Billips probably has about 3-4 years of solid play left). We need a backup at some point (and we need a 3rd PG anyway since Hunter will retire). Anyone you get in the late 2nd is a project, so why not take a guy you'll need in a few years?

I'd also take a SF like Zekyl mentioned, but I think we'll be drafting one in the first round (unless a center slips to us, and good centers never slip).

I'd love to move up somehow and get Hibbert, but if he plays as well as I think he might this year, he's probably destined for the top 5-8.

I'd also take a SF like Zekyl mentioned, but I think we'll be drafting one in the first round (unless a center slips to us, and good centers never slip).
The SFs I was talking about were all 1st round or early 2nd round possibilities.

Glenn, the part where he only pulls down 7 boards a game when he's 7-2 seems like it could be a problem, especially since we already bitch about rebounding a lot around here. I don't know how much that would really change at the pro level. Either way, I don't think there's really much chance he falls all the way to us at the end of the 1st round. That's why I was looking at the other two centers that are a bit more of projects for us. They're more likely to slip, although centers are usually taken too early because they're such a valued commodity.

Any chance of JaVale McGee of Nevada jumping into the draft this year? He's listed as a PF but he's a PF/C kind of guy. He's a 7-footer that blocks a lot of shots but is still developing his game. Someone to keep on the radar.

Quick question - How far up do you think we could move, trading the Minny 2nd and our own first? what about including them with an expiring (FlipM maybe?) to a team in need for their first? Granted, we wouldn't know exactly where they're finishing, but maybe make it conditional. Something like top-10 or lottery protected but anything above 22 or 23 and we keep the second rounder. Can you do that? Yes, I realize this probably sounds pretty stupid.

i dont think late 1st rounders have very much value. i dont think there is a template, like in the nfl, though. it would be situational.

im not a big hibbert fan. i dont think his agility will allow him to play heavy minutes in the nba. i'd project hijm to be about what shaq is right now. however, that still warrants a top 10 pick in most yeras drafts, id think.

I'd rather give Joe a shot with that second. He seems to have as good a luck as any GM finding talent late first, later.

The thing is that our roster is packed.

we trade Bonzi away basically cuz he wasn't going to get any playing time(mistake)? We traded away Bonzi's best years.

I'd go C if there is one (which there won't), but I'd draft SF, SF, SF in that order :)

I want Mbah a Moute...enough said.

By the way, when I compared Neitzel to "Mateen II" I only meant that he'd be a Pistons-drafted PG from The Michigan State University that is not likely to pan out. I realize that their games are dissimilar.

As far as the draft, what do you guys say to drafting 3 SGs?

Hoping to get 1 good one? Thats what I was hoping for re SF.

At least we have Rip and AA at the 2.

But, yea, SG wouldn't be a bad idea if there is good one there.

Or draft 3 centers?

This draft is shaping up to be rich in PG talent, so that's where I'd look. Right now, there are six big names (Rose, Mayo, Collison, Lawson, J. Gordon, Augustine) who all figure to be top-20 draft selections, and Jerryd Bayless of Arizona has burst into the lottery with his play of late.

If the Pistons want a PG, they should go with Kyle Weaver of Washington State. He's 6-5, plays both guard spots, and is known for his defense while being a solid third scoring option (though probably not more than that, but that's not a concern). His passing is pretty good too.

Trade your second-round pick to whatever sucker will take it. No one below the 45th pick will likely contribute to an NBA team in 2008.

kyle weaver sounds a bit too similar to stucky. though it could be kinda cool to roll out a backcourt of 2 "do it all" 6'5" guards. i suppose it would depend on whether he or stucky can guard those tiny little waterbugs that chauncy cannot guard. thats what im mostly worried about with hunter retiring.

As far as the draft, what do you guys say to drafting 3 SGs?
Am I the only one that got the reference?

I want Mbah a Moute...enough said.
Do you mean in the first round or second?

Am I the only one that got the reference?

Maybe.

Either that or nobody reads my posts anymore (possible).

There is no reason for them to draft a SG with their first rounder unless he is the absolute best talent available. You already have Afflalo devloping as the backup 2 and Stuckey can play the 2, so there's 2 guys backing up that position. That'd make about as much sense as us drafting a PF that can only play PF. Its ok if you get a college PF that can also play SF or C, but the PF spot is already set for backups with Max and Amir. If he's the absolute best player available, jump on it, but otherwise stay away.

I got it, Glenn. I say we look at some SF's and C's. Just because the draft is rich in PG's doesn't mean we should take one... a lot of them are likely to be lottery picks so it is likely that this would push back some of the more talented players at other positions as well.

As the season goes on, a lot of these guys will slide up and down the draft board, so we won't really know who's going to be in their range for another few months. Also, a lot of the guys on ESPN's top 100 board are still freshman and sophomores that won't even consider going into the draft this year. With lot of the guys, I'd look and think that they had a lot of potential and would probably slide to the late first, but then I'd realize they're freshmen so they'd likely stay in school if that were the case.