Heading into the 2016-2017 NBA season, both the Detroit Pistons and their fans had their hopes set high for what was sure to be a great season. Following a solid 2015-2016 regular season, the Pistons gave the eventual NBA Champion Cleveland Cavaliers a run for their money, despite being swept in the first round of the playoffs. With another year of experience under their belts, players like Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson, and Stanley Johnson were about to take the Pistons to the next level.
But up to this point, that has not happened.
The Pistons are currently 21-25 overall, which places them 10th in the Eastern Conference. Rather than making a run for one of the top four seeds in the East, it is more likely the Pistons end up with with a top 15 pick in the NBA Draft.
Sports Illustrated released their NBA Mock Draft 1.0 on Friday and with the 13th pick in the first round, they have the Pistons selecting PF Isaiah Hartenstein out of Germany. Hartenstein, who is 7-foot, 225lbs and shoots left-handed, may remind Pistons fans of one of the worst draft picks of all-time, Darko Milicic.
13. Pistons: Isaiah Hartenstein, PF, Germany | Age: 18
Hartenstein appears to have carved out a spot in the top half of the first round. As for Detroit: it’ll be interesting to see where the Pistons go in the draft. They’ve got young players at every spot in the rotation, but the roster has been underwhelming all year. This is definitely the draft to find a point guard if Stan Van Gundy’s looking for some flexibility behind Reggie Jackson, but if they can’t land in the top 10, their best options may be elsewhere.
Check out a couple of videos of Hartenstein. What are your thoughts on the Pistons drafting him?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6E36aIB0mc
