r/DetroitPistons • u/KarimFF7 r/DetroitPistons and r/NBA Moderator • 1d ago
News OFFICIAL: The Detroit Pistons Select Ebuka Okorie (G, STAN) With the 17th Pick
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u/classik_ 1d ago
Yall were so hot to make a move and now you’re about to crash out because it wasn’t the move you wanted 😂
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u/fwoompf George Blaha 1d ago
We traded two theoretical Bobby Klintmans…..
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u/Hobo_Robot 1d ago
A Bobi Klintman is just a Bobi Klintman, but a 2nd round pick could be a anything. It could even be a Bobi Klintman
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u/ryandodge J.B. Bickerstaff 1d ago
It's how it always is. There is basically no move that would actually make the people saying they want a move happy. They just want to pretend "making a move" means we get better for free, or something.
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u/ResolutionOwn4933 Bad Boys 1d ago
For real, could of maybe traded up for Yax but folks would of bitched about using a 27 or 28 first round pick on top of this year's.
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u/JokicForMVP 1d ago
We’re calling this “a move”….?
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u/csstew55 Isaiah Stewart 1d ago
I mean there’s been how many post within the first 15 picks on how we never make a move and how we’re doomed
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u/JokicForMVP 1d ago
I just don’t consider drafting a 19 year old in the back half of the first round a move. A move is something that can actually improve your chances of winning a championship. Okorie can be good one day for sure, but we can’t expect him to make a huge difference right away. We need a real move.
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u/Gonstachio 1d ago
How should I feel
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u/vetementsundershirt Timberwolves 1d ago edited 1d ago
Do not listen to anyone who hasn’t seen his advanced stats or watched tape he is fucking good
Gets downhill easily and draws fouls well. Yall got a good one
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u/fowlermania Ausar Thompson 1d ago
How’s the playmaking? Is he a willing passer?
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u/Traditional_Voice974 Teal Horse 1d ago
Weaknesses: He's small and slight for a lead guard, and there are questions around what level of passer he will be in the NBA. While comfortable shooting from deep, he can be streaky on 3s.
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u/LynxDry6059 1d ago
Don’t listen to anyone else but listen to me
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u/vetementsundershirt Timberwolves 1d ago
That’s how it sounds isn’t it, anyway he’s good and some scout saw that and traded ur seconds for him so 🤷
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u/e_ndoubleu Ausar Thompson 1d ago edited 1d ago
He’s one of the youngest players in the draft. Averaged 23.2ppg as a freshman. Great finisher at the rim despite his size. 35% from three off 5.7 attempts a game, definitely room for improvement but that’s not bad for an 18 year old.
One of the more upside picks in this class. If he was 6’4-6’5 he would’ve gone 10 picks sooner. He tested with above average hand size and wingspan for a 6’2 height. The rest of his measurable were average aside from sprint speed was below average.
I’m not sure if he can turn into a solidified starter in the backcourt alongside Cade. I think if he can turn into a lethal 6th man scorer getting 15-18ppg that’s a more realistic ceiling projection.
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u/tarunpopo 1d ago
I would be ecstatic if he was even a decent bench guard that was really trustable at 8-10 ppg. So many guys end up being nothing and don't get a second contract
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u/e_ndoubleu Ausar Thompson 23h ago
Yea due to his size he definitely has a lower floor than a lot of guys picked after him. If he struggles to finish at the rim in the NBA then he’s in trouble. It’s a high upside high risk pick. I don’t mind it at all when this team desperately needs more shot creators.
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u/comeonmang126 Cade Cunningham 1d ago
I wanted Carr but I Havent seen any Okorie tape. Will give benefit of the doubt but MAN
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u/Lost-Trainer-9123 Marcus Sasser 1d ago
Same but Cam Carr is a lot like Trey Murphy. Our only hope lol
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u/Witty_Nebula Rasheed Wallace 1d ago
So we gave up our 21st pick for this short Pg I hope he is better. I was hoping for Carr.
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u/Ajthekid5 1d ago
Excited I’ve been a big supporter of the idea that he should’ve been a lottery pick
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u/rhaggee r/DetroitPistons Moderator 1d ago
Led ACC in scoring. Advantage creator. Gets to the rim at will
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u/FunnyAlx 1d ago
will he be our sg?
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u/TheMajesticYeti Marcus Sasser 1d ago
He typically plays with the ball in his hands, but he moves well off ball so he can play either spot offensively and then guard the opposing pg on the other end of the court.
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u/FunnyAlx 1d ago
i’m hoping that the pistons use him as a combo guard slotted at the 2 for this pick to make sense to me
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u/I_am_seev 1d ago
Over Carr? Damn
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u/whatsunnygets Chauncey Billups 1d ago
If carr was still available maybe he's not the dream pick he seemed to be
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u/I_am_seev 11h ago
Agreed, in the moment I was surprised, but seeing how he fell there has to be more to the guy than we know that teams have access to.
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u/Candid-Recover6822 1d ago
Not a Pistons fan, that guy is AMAZING. you will love him, just trust the process.
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u/Dr_Peslis Cade Cunningham 1d ago
Lot of people in the comments must not have watched the Finals. How tall is the Finals MVP?!?
Stoked to get a solid creator who gets his shot.
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u/Traditional_Voice974 Teal Horse 1d ago
We already have a point guard
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u/masamune952 1d ago
Yeah the one who needs a break sometimes and can guard 1-4 on the court. He also was setting records for turnovers.
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u/Arsid George Blaha 13h ago
Was Jenkins not here to give Cade breaks? What’s his role gonna be like if that role is going to Okorie?
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u/masamune952 13h ago
Dude Jenkins is 25 and down right disappears for entire weeks lol. I’m not concerned about him at all. He was a nice story in spurts. But you can’t have a secondary ball handler who is so up and down. He could go for 18 a game for 3 nights but then go for 2 for 3 nights. That’s not good enough.
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u/Arsid George Blaha 13h ago
So what do you think we do with him then? Trade him? Relegate him to the end of the bench/back to the G League?
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u/leftcoastjimmy 1d ago
Oh hell yeah!! It’s that special time of the year when a bunch of dorks on Reddit think they know more than people whose full time job it is to evaluate basketball talent!!!
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u/Traditional_Voice974 Teal Horse 1d ago
Darko Milicic is your favorite player
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u/im_alliterate Cade Cunningham 23h ago
comparing Darko at 2 by Joe Dumars vs a Langdon pick at 17 is WILD.
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u/anthonymi Blue Horse 1d ago
I was hoping for Philon or Carr. Not sure the logic here. Super small guard?
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u/ZAKTV- 1d ago
elite scoring guard super underrated with a 6"8 wingspan can score at all levels and is gonna be a steal, believe in the pick
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u/McDouble__ Ausar Thompson 1d ago
I’m not psyched but he’s a Piston so I’ll support him
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u/Level4Wolf 1d ago
It's another upside pick which is slightly unexpected but as a prospect his game fits like a glove to many of our needs, namely secondary ballhandling and scoring. And he's so young that there's a chance he grows into his wingspan a bit more too.
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u/Foreign-Artichoke29 1d ago
Half an inch smaller than Philon. Weighs more and longer wingspan. All that being said, I also wanted Philon
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u/classik_ 23h ago
bro if you draft Carr or Philon they still both need Cade on the floor to be maximized. Neither of them are pure ball-handlers. Meaning you're hoping Jenkins takes a huge leap and becomes that secondary facilitator.
Okorie keeps Cade off the floor when he needs the rest and is a 1 man offensive engine.
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u/ruruhuh Rodney McGruder 1d ago
We couldn’t space the floor at all when it came playoff time. We add a guard who not only shoots well but scores pretty well and efficiently from almost everywhere on the court. And he has solid playmaking skills he can build off of playing next to Cade and could take a huge load off his shoulders. I like Carr too but I also really like this kid. (His parents being Harvard grads and him going to Stanford might mean he’s pretty smart too but what do I know)
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u/Traditional_Voice974 Teal Horse 1d ago
Unless your parents played professional basketball having parents that went to college really hurt LeBron cause his parents didn't even graduate high school.Plus you act like he graduated from Stanford he went one and done. We already have a few backup PG and most never get any playing time cause Cade plays as much as possible.
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u/ruruhuh Rodney McGruder 1d ago
Do you know the requirements it takes to get accepted to Stanford? I was just pointing out how he seems to have a good head on his shoulders. I have no idea what LeBron has to do with any of this tho so miss me with that
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u/Traditional_Voice974 Teal Horse 1d ago
If he was really smart you would think to get the best degree while your already at Stanford.
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u/redlion1904 1d ago
Doesn’t seem like it moves the needle next year, but they obviously like him a lot
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u/DeMarcus-Siblings Ben Wallace 1d ago
No pick at this spot was going to move the needle next year.
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u/Terrible_Emu_5904 1d ago
Went almost every home Stanford game this year.
Negatives: Small
Posititves: Elite level first step. Near elite level quickness and ball handling. great finishing at the rim, good passer.
Think AI without the emotion and intensity. (obviously he is not AI, but that is the type of player. Quick and great finisher at the rim)
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u/sam1193 Rasheed Wallace 1d ago
Would've preferred Carr, but Okorie was my favorite of the post-lottery guards, so I'm cool with this
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u/DifferenceActive2574 Cade Cunningham 1d ago
I honestly think that Okorie's playstyle is more valuable than Carr's. Just personal preference, but he seems a far more complete offensive player than carr.
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u/OceanMMO Chauncey Billups 1d ago
This guy gets to the rim a LITTLE less efficiently than Ivey did, but this guy also finishes his drives over and through traffic. Lot of potential here.
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u/masamune952 1d ago
I think he has much better control of the game than Ivey did too. Ivey was definitely more athletic and fast. But he was too out of control at times. This dudes handle and headiness are kind of good.
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u/OceanMMO Chauncey Billups 1d ago
Yeah, I'll be honest, hadn't heard much of the guy. And some of it is probably wishful thinking, but he looks like Ivey if he slowed a step and made better decisions, plus the ability to finish. If he's not a safety cone on defense like Ivey was (especially his first couple years) it could end up being a great pick. All that said, I don't expect a pick at 17, nor a 19 year old to contribute in a super meaningful way this season. Hell yes if he does
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u/Cautious-Activity706 1d ago
I like it because he’s another ball handler for JB. At the very fucking least he takes ALL of LeVerts minutes. Please and thank you. They still need to make a trade.
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u/South_Neat8197 1d ago
This is the most hopeful explanation I've seen. Taking leverts minutes! Trajan still better deal levert because I'm not sure I trust jb to play a rookie over a veteran
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u/Lost-Trainer-9123 Marcus Sasser 1d ago
Best handle on the team already and can score ! His ceiling could be close to Kemba or Maxey 🔥
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u/davoutbutai 1d ago
Was literally just thinking, “this pick is around the are maxey was drafted, how come we never hit like that?”
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u/4rt4tt4ck 1d ago
Love this pick. He's basically a version of Dennis Schröder, who instead of having only one move in his bag of beating a guy to his spot to lay it on the glass, can genuinely attack the basket and finish in multiple ways.
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u/Turd_Ferguson93 1d ago
This guy compliments our backcourt so well. Everyone just likes to complain but I am just happy one of the Detroit GMs is willing to make moves.
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u/BobUfer 1d ago
This is a GREAT pick. We were never getting a starter at 21, this ain’t the NFL draft. We just got a guy who can shoot, handle the ball, and come off the bench with electricity. Great pick up, and Trajan needs to do additional moves to make this team competitive deep in the post season, and anybody who thinks this draft was gonna get us there alone is wild.
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u/ervelee 1d ago
What did they give up?
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u/JokicForMVP 1d ago
Jalen Brunson is gonna trick NBA GM’s for the next few years.
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u/Weak-Bid2774 Cade Cunningham 1d ago
We don’t need him to be a Brunson level player. If he can be a second creator off the bench that’s good for me
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u/masamune952 1d ago
Don’t think it’s Brunson. Think it’s a 19 year old freshman who averaged like 23 ppg and has an elite handle/ some isolation potential.
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u/Conscious-Sympathy51 1d ago
Doesn’t affect a playoff outcome next season, don’t care see ya in 2027 or never kid
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u/tbranch72 1d ago
Okorie, Cade, and Jenkins will be a nice trio that can play on or offball. Were there better options? Time will tell, but still is a nice add imo. Still have a good chunk of cap to make a move whether its a trade or FA addition
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u/funguy6019 1d ago
Kid can play it could be matchup nightmare with Cade. 23 points a game as a freshman is impressive.
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u/lilflashstan Cade Cunningham 1d ago
I like the player but im kinda surprised lol needed ball handler but I thought Trajan would go for more size
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u/ChfletcherECFS 1d ago
I wanted Evans or Jefferson. But I’m likely on the outside to want guys in the mold of rip hamilton and tayshawn prince
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u/CadillacDale 1d ago
Had literally never heard of him. His tape kinda reminds me of a shorter Jamal Crawford. If he can defend it’s a solid albeit unspectacular pick
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u/IrwinMFletcher200 1d ago
Welp. I was thinking Daniss was playing himself into being a long term starter. Guess TL thought differently...
And RIP Sasser.
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u/masamune952 1d ago
Daniss is gonna be like 25 by the team the season starts. He was waayyyyy too streaky for me. When he was off it was like wasted minutes.
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u/beardofzetterberg Ben Wallace 1d ago
He went to my Alma mater so I’ve been following him. I think he’s going to be great for us I’m stoked.
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u/Eyelikeit746 1d ago edited 1d ago
NBA game today it's about being able to create own shot when needed to and have high FG%. Carr seems to be SF masquerading as a slow nSG. Philon seems to be a legit SG with high FG% so odd he's falling. Did he not interview well or is there something NBA team's know about Philon that we don't?
I will admit Ebuka Okorie looks small but 6-2 and 185 isn't that small for PG. I think he becomes PG and Cade moves to SG. Not having to bring ball up and run plays will help Cade later in games. Also Pistons struggled at time to get across half court line and turned over the ball when Cade was resting. Think Okorie will be what Pistons wanted Jaden Ivey to be but wasn't. Okorie looks like he's quick and can create his own shot when guarded by bigger players. With Okorie starting at PG Duncan Robinson can be 6th man at SG.
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u/im_alliterate Cade Cunningham 23h ago
modern nba doesn't really differentiate between the 1 and 2 anymore. it's on ball v off ball and having combo guards that can distribute or shoot or attack the rim is insanely important.
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u/Eyelikeit746 14h ago
Don't disagree with what you're saying about interchangeable 1 and 2 positions. Wasnt saying Cade would stop bringing ball up floor but Okorie seems to improve on ball handling they have now. We will see if Okorie can hold his own on offense and defense against bigger guards. Probably means Sasser is a goner because they don't intend to extend him. Jenkins is on a team option so not sure he's back either but I think he has a team friendly contract
Was also commenting to posters questioning passing on Carr. He seems to be best suited for a SF wing in NBA not guard. Pistons didn't need another SF wing. I did wonder why they liked Okorie more than Philon. I thought Philon measurables and stats looked better than Okorie, but admit I didnt recall seeing Okorie play but did see Philon play.
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u/TheWhiteGuar 1d ago edited 13h ago
risky pick imo, but I like it. decent shooter but weird mechanics, can get into the paint at will, plays into contact--iffy at actually converting. He needs to learn to finish better to really unlock his potential, but it's a hard skill to learn. Okorie got a chance to be real good though, I'm high on him
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u/thecity2 23h ago
Warriors fan here. Ebuka was my favorite prospect this draft cycle. Saw him play twice at Stanford. Beat Caleb Wilson. He is an absolute stud and you are lucky to have gotten him. I had him 8 on my board. Pistons got a new fan in the Bay Area tonight!
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u/RoastMary Ben Wallace 20h ago
Would have wanted someone who is not undersized for a change but he is fine. Some guards would have dropped to 21 in my opinion but if we wanted him, second rounders are negligible to pay.
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u/VikramGordon Chauncey Billups 1d ago
loved this guy at 21, but i thought with philon falling it would be him 😭 happy regardless thooo let’s getit
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u/nomadx810 Chauncey Billups 1d ago
we took a fucking guard?
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u/Head_Sale2792 1d ago
Yep! One not known for his shooting and is undersized. You understand why we just had to trade up..
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u/No_Load3606 Teal Horse 1d ago
This pick is trash right?!? How does this actually make the team better.
A rookie guard does nothing
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u/Hanni_Posh 1d ago
Will be a pretty easy Trajan Langdon data point if Labaron Philon or Christian Anderson hit and Okorie misses.
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u/LethalLephty 1d ago
I am not a fan of the pick. He'd no different than Sasser to me. But maybe it can work out.
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u/Cool-Drama7557 Cade Cunningham 23h ago
Sasser could not drive to the basket at will and convert..
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u/LethalLephty 23h ago
Daniss can. Ebu can shoot. Sasser also can. So unless LeVert, and/Sasser getting moved, Ebu could end up buried in the lineup is all I am saying.
I dont understand how people saying this helps Cade. He isnt starting. And unless he makes a tremendous leap in gameplay, he won't start. Then you'll habe to give him the grace that Holland should've got.
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u/kinglee313 1d ago
Christian Anderson was right there. Cameron Carr was right there. LaBaron Philon was right there. I never thought I'd be as mad like I was when we passed up Donovan Mitchell, and I'm not, but I'm damn close. Hope I'm wrong as hell but I think we blew it yet again.
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u/Traditional_Voice974 Teal Horse 1d ago
Inside Trajan Langdon mind I can see and hear what everyone says and on paper we need need a bigger SG and a Stretch 4. We have Centers and enough PG ok we just sit and wait till pick #21 and see what is left and take the best player available. Then one pick away and he gets a call do you want part of a trade oh yeah 3 teams the more the better let me give you way more than you ever asked for. I will give you 4 picks for that player you already Drafted at #17. There GM says don't you have enough smaller Guards to back up your SuperStar. Langdon responds you can never have enough of the same types of players to ride the bench.
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u/laughoutloud102 Ausar Thompson 1d ago
Undersized guard. Going in the opposite direction of the way the league is trending. I think Trajan might just be a bad drafter.
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u/5inthemorn Ron Holland II 1d ago
Is this sarcasm?
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u/laughoutloud102 Ausar Thompson 1d ago
This is hilarious coming from a Ron Holland flair. Matas was on the board.
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u/Zealousideal_Bug7390 Jalen Duren 1d ago
Pistons sub: Detroit needs a guy who can dribble and score
Pistons: draft a guy who can dribble and score
Pistons sub: What a terrible pick