Detroit Pistons Add Shooting Big Man in 2024 NBA Mock Draft

After some more bad luck in the NBA Lottery, the Detroit Pistons will be drafting No. 5. Here’s who ESPN has them taking in their first mock draft. Despite having one of the best odds for the No. 1 overall pick, the Pistons once again saw themselves fall in the NBA Lottery.

In the 2024 NBA Lottery, the Detroit Pistons defied the odds, as they dropped down to the fifth pick. For a team that had the worst record in the league during the 2023-24 season, and is in need of getting a top choice, the outcome wasn’t ideal.

However, now that the Pistons know where they will be selecting, they will have to make the most out of it. In ESPN’s first mock draft following the NBA Lottery, they had the Pistons selecting Matas Buzelis from the G League. Here’s what they had to say about the pick.

The Pistons are the NBA’s worst 3-point shooting team and among the league’s worst defenses, meaning they could be attracted to the combination of perimeter shooting, explosiveness, defensive versatility, and youth Buzelis offers. He made 45% of his 3-pointers as a high school senior but saw that number drop significantly with G League Ignite. Buzelis looks like a strong fit positionally with the rest of Detroit’s core and is the type of player who doesn’t need plays called for him, but still has significant upside to grow into. – Givony

For the Pistons, filling the roster out around Cade Cunningham has to be the plan moving forward. He had a very solid season and looks like he can be an All-Star player in the league. The selection of Matas Buzelis seems to make sense for the Pistons as he checks off a few areas of need.

Despite 3-point shooting being so important these days, the Pistons were one of the worst teams in the league at hitting them and defending them. That is a recipe for disaster and one that needs to be addressed.

At 6’10” with the ability to shoot the ball from beyond the arc, Buzelis is a very appealing prospect in the draft this year. While the Detroit Pistons are likely disappointed that they didn’t get the top choice in the draft and moved back quite a few spots, they still have a chance to take an impact player in the top 5.