The Detroit Pistons are a professional basketball team based in Detroit, Michigan. They compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Eastern Conference Central Division. The Pistons have won three NBA championships, in 1989, 1990 and 2004. They are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA, having been founded in 1941 as the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons in the National Basketball League (NBL).
The Pistons had two picks in the 2023 NBA draft, which was held on June 22, 2023 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. They selected Ausar Thompson, a shooting guard from Overtime Elite, with the fifth overall pick and Marcus Sasser, a guard from Houston, with the 25th overall pick (via trade with Boston).
History: The NBA draft is an annual event dating back to 1947 in which the teams from the NBA can draft players who are eligible and wish to join the league. Historically, the vast majority of players drafted are college players. The draft order is determined by a combination of lottery, regular season record and playoff results. The team with the worst record has the best chance of winning the lottery and getting the first pick.
The first NBA draft was held on July 1, 1947 by the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which later merged with the NBL to form the NBA. The first player ever drafted was Clifton McNeely, a guard from Texas Wesleyan University, who was selected by the Pittsburgh Ironmen. However, he never played in the league and became a coach instead. The first player to actually play in the league was Chuck Share, a center from Bowling Green State University, who was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1950 but debuted with the Fort Wayne Pistons in 1951.
Some of the most notable first overall picks in NBA draft history are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1969), Magic Johnson (1979), Hakeem Olajuwon (1984), Michael Jordan (1984), Shaquille O’Neal (1992), Tim Duncan (1997), LeBron James (2003), Kevin Durant (2007), Anthony Davis (2012) and Zion Williamson (2019). The most recent first overall pick was Victor Wembanyama, a center from France, who was selected by the San Antonio Spurs in 2023.
The Detroit Pistons had Two picks in the 2023 NBA draft:
Round 1( No.5): Ausar Thompson is a 6-foot-7 wing who played for Overtime Elite, a new professional league for high school prospects. He is considered one of the most athletic and versatile players in his class, with a high motor and a smooth shooting stroke. He averaged 18.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game for OTE. He is also the twin brother of Amen Thompson, who was drafted fourth overall by the Houston Rockets.
Round 1 (No.25): Marcus Sasser is a 6-foot-1 guard who played for Houston, where he led the Cougars to the Final Four in 2021. He is a sharpshooter who can score from anywhere on the court, especially from beyond the arc. He averaged 13.7 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game for Houston last season. He is also the nephew of former NBA player Jason Sasser.
The Detroit Pistons have had some interesting draft picks in the last five years. Here are their top picks from 2023 to 2019:
- 2023: Ausar Thompson, a shooting guard from Overtime Elite, with the fifth overall pick. He is a versatile and athletic wing who can shoot and defend. He is also the twin brother of Amen Thompson, who was drafted fourth overall by the Houston Rockets.
- 2022: Jaden Ivey, a guard from Purdue, with the fifth overall pick. He is a sharpshooter who can score from anywhere on the court, especially from beyond the arc. He averaged 18.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game for Purdue last season.
- 2021: Cade Cunningham, a guard from Oklahoma State, with the first overall pick. He is a generational talent who can do it all on both ends of the floor. He averaged 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game for Oklahoma State last season.
- 2020: Killian Hayes, a guard from France, with the seventh overall pick. He is a playmaker who can create for himself and others with his vision and ball-handling skills. He averaged 12.8 points, 6.2 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game for Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany last season.
- 2019: Sekou Doumbouya, a forward from France, with the 15th overall pick. He is a raw but promising prospect who has a lot of potential with his size, athleticism and shooting ability. He averaged 7.8 points and 3 rebounds per game for Limoges CSP in France last season.
FAQs
Q: Who are the Detroit Pistons draft picks in 2023?
A: The Detroit Pistons have two picks in the 2023 NBA draft. They selected Ausar Thompson, a shooting guard from Overtime Elite, with the fifth overall pick and Marcus Sasser, a guard from Houston, with the 25th overall pick (via trade with Boston).
Q: What are the strengths and weaknesses of Ausar Thompson?
A: Ausar Thompson is a versatile and athletic wing who can shoot and defend. He has a high motor and a smooth shooting stroke. He can play multiple positions and create his own shot. However, he also has some areas to improve, such as his ball-handling, decision-making and strength. He is also relatively inexperienced, having played only one season for Overtime Elite.
Q: What are the strengths and weaknesses of Marcus Sasser?
A: Marcus Sasser is a sharpshooter who can score from anywhere on the court, especially from beyond the arc. He has a quick release and a confident demeanor. He can also play both guard positions and defend well. However, he also has some limitations, such as his size, athleticism and playmaking. He is also prone to streakiness and turnovers.
Q: How do the Detroit Pistons draft picks fit with the team?
A: The Detroit Pistons draft picks add depth and shooting to the team. Ausar Thompson can complement Cade Cunningham, the first overall pick in 2021, as a secondary scorer and defender. Marcus Sasser can provide spacing and scoring off the bench. Both players can also learn from the veterans on the team, such as Jerami Grant, Kelly Olynyk and Cory Joseph.
Q: What are the expectations for the Detroit Pistons draft picks in 2023?
A: The expectations for the Detroit Pistons draft picks in 2023 are moderate. They are not expected to be immediate stars or starters, but rather role players who can contribute to the team’s development and culture. They will have to compete for minutes and prove themselves in the league. They will also have to adjust to the physicality and pace of the NBA game. However, they also have a lot of potential and upside, and could become key pieces for the future of the franchise.
