The Detroit Pistons are expected to make a move this season, and don’t be surprised if it’s for another 2020 draft bust.
Everyone should have someone in their life who adores the 2020 Draft as much as Troy Weaver, who chose three players from it and then traded for another when he sent Saddiq Bey packing for James Wiseman.
Weaver was high on Wiseman entering the draft, saw his opportunity, and grabbed him, though it has not worked out in his favor thus far.
Patrick Williams of the Bulls, who was selected fourth overall, is another player he reportedly liked in that draft. If he had dropped to seventh, he might be in Detroit right now, but the Pistons instead selected Killian Hayes, who, like Williams, has shown flashes of being a good player but has ultimately been disappointing.
Williams is coming off a good season in which he averaged double digits and shot 41.5 percent from long range, which led me to believe he might be a target for the Pistons this season. But he’s been terrible this season, averaging only six points per game on 33/28/78 shooting splits.
A bust in the 2020 draft with “high ceiling” potential? Someone please take Troy Weaver’s phone.
Patrick Williams could be traded by the Detroit Pistons.
The Detroit Pistons, like last season with Wiseman, could make a trade for Patrick Williams. In fact, the two could be swapped for each other. Williams has been so bad this season that it probably wouldn’t take much to get him, so the Pistons could take another risk on a “high ceiling” player who might just need a change of scenery. The good old change of scenery.
The Pistons could likely acquire Williams in exchange for one of their expiring contracts, but should they? Unlike Wiseman, he complements Cade Cunningham, and the Pistons require depth at his position. In addition, unlike Wiseman, Williams has had some success in the NBA. If the Pistons want Williams, they should sign him now so they have the rest of the season to evaluate his fit before he becomes a free agent.
The Pistons could simply wait until free agency to make a move.
Of course, if they wait, they could get Williams for free, as he’ll be a restricted free agent next offseason and doesn’t appear to be a player the Bulls will pay a lot of money to keep. The Pistons may be able to sign him to a minimum or slightly higher contract, especially if they are willing to offer multiple guaranteed years. The issue is that they are now stuck with him, which could be a problem if he does not improve. Of course, if he does, he’s a steal, and Detroit has to come up with one of these low-risk/high-reward players at some point, right? RIGHT?!?
I wouldn’t be surprised if Patrick Williams ended up in a Pistons uniform at some point because Troy Weaver has been myopic when it comes to guys he once liked in the draft. It’s not the splashy move fans were hoping for, but it would be consistent with Weaver’s approach as GM thus far.
Leave a Reply