Detroit Pistons CEO Troy Weaver made another strong NBA draft on Thursday night and took Purdue guard Jaden Ivey at No. 5 and trade with the Charlotte hornets and New York Knicks tackle Memphis center Jalen Duren at No. 13.
The Pistons also added Italian wing Gabriele Procida in the second round, with 36th overall pick† Reviewing Detroit’s three rosters:
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No. 5: Jaden Ivey: A+
Ivey wanted Detroit and the Pistons wanted Ivey.
As an ESPN analyst — and unabashedly New York Knicks fan Stephen A. Smith had his way, Ivey was going to go to New York, but it was clear the former Boilermaker wasn’t going to fall that far.
Ivey’s quick first stride and his ability to attack the basket and reach the free-throw line should complement backcourt mate Cade Cunningham well. The duo’s potential certainly excited Weaver and fans†
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If anything, it’s that Ivey shot just 35.8% on three-pointers at Purdue last season. His mid-range shot has also been criticized, but he told The Athletic he worked on it all summer while designing.
Ivey will probably play ball more than some of his NBA comparisons, such as Ja Morant and Russell Westbrook, so it would be helpful to hone his jump shot. But the continued development there shouldn’t quell the eruption or bounce the 6-foot-4, 195-pounder that brings it to the Motor City.
No. 13: Jalen Düren: A
Another win for Pistons fans and another loss for Smith and fellow Knicks supporter Spike Lee†
Duren won’t be turning 19 until November 19, but he’s already 6-11 and 250lbs with a 7-5 wingspan. He fills in a gap in the frontcourt after Detroit’s trade of Jerami Grant and establishes himself as the center of the team’s future.
He doesn’t shoot three-pointers, so he isn’t likely to progress to a power forward, but he averaged 8.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game last season as the AAC Freshman of the Year.
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The addition of Duren could change the Pistons’ match with top free agent center Deandre Ayton, who they’ve been heavily linked with over the past 24-48 hours; they could use their considerable felling space elsewhere.
On Thursday, Weaver said he wasn’t worried about Duren and Isaiah Stewart playing together. That said, he might still be interested in making Duren an understudy for Ayton.
No. 36: Gabriele Procida: B-
Procida, acquired via a pick-swap with the Blazers in Wednesday’s Jerami Grant trade, will likely be a draft-and-stash, so don’t expect to see him in Little Caesars Arena anytime soon.
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He scored just seven points last season on 4.3 field goals and 18.5 minutes per game for Serie A Fortitudo Kigili Bologna.
However, ESPN’s Bobby Marks said he considers Procida to be of great value at number 36 and possibly one of the best marksmen in this draft class. Procida shot 38.3% on three-pointers in 26 games.
Jaylin Williams, downtown Arkansas, was ESPN design expert Jonathan Givony’s last sham pick for the Pistons at this spot, but he ended up going to the Oklahoma City Thunder at number 34.
General: A
Bringing Ivey to the top and making a splash with the Duren trade solidified a second straight A for the Pistons. Ivey should be Detroit’s exciting opponent alongside Cunningham, and Duren has a bright future ahead of him.
Listen and subscribe to our new podcast “The Pistons Pulse” hosted by Freep’s Omari Sankofa II and Motor City Hoops’ Bryce Simon† Friday morning we have a draft reaction episode for you. Find our show wherever you listen to podcasts† weekly episodes drop every Tuesday morning.
Contact Mason Young: [email protected] Follow him on Twitter: @Mason_Young_0.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons’ 2022 NBA Draft Rating: A for Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren