NBA Draft 2019: Top 3 options for Detroit Pistons to select at pick No. 45

After reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2016, the Detroit Pistons have a pair of draft picks to add to their playoff-contending roster. Who could they potentially target with the 45th pick of the 2019 NBA Draft?

Winning 41 games and securing the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, the Blake Griffin-led Detroit Pistons ended a three-year playoff drought in rather unspectacular fashion after getting swept by the dominant Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the playoffs.

Nonetheless, the Pistons finally cracked into the postseason, and this offseason is one where they need to add pieces that fit around the likes of Griffin, Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson, and Luke Kennard, as the team desperately needs more firepower to put around their core four.

With a cap-strapped roster, the Pistons will have to look to use their exceptions and two draft picks — numbers 15 and 45 — to add talent on the margins, and despite being a playoff team, they’re needing more out of their picks than most other franchises due to the aforementioned roster concerns. Finishing the year with the league’s 12th-best defense (108.6 DRTG) was an impressive feat in Dwayne Casey’s first year in Detroit, especially given the personnel he had to work with, but the Pistons’ anemic offensive rating of 108.3 ranked in the bottom-third (21st) in the league, leaving much to be desired.

With the 15th pick of the 2019 NBA Draft, the Pistons will have a greater chance of finding a wing or forward capable of contributing as a rookie, as they have plenty of options to choose from and may have lottery-level prospects slip to them on draft night. The 45th pick, however, is far less likely to be a contributor as a rookie, let alone as an NBA player, but they could use a stroke of luck with whoever they select, as the team badly needs offensive help.

As a franchise, Detroit doesn’t exactly boast a stellar reputation when it comes to drafting in the second round. Really, there’s no in-between when it comes to the outcomes of their selections: Either the players flame out entirely, or they end up being dealt (because the team gave up on them) and ultimately become great players on other teams. Examples? Khris Middleton (39th pick in 2012) and Spencer Dinwiddie (38th pick in 2014). Not great.

Ed Stefanski is heading into his second year as the Pistons GM, so it’s possible that he can overcome the franchise’s streak of bad luck. Finding legitimate NBA players in the second round is far from a guarantee, but it would significantly benefit the Pistons if they find a gem capable of playing minutes as a rookie and beyond. Bruce Brown, who was selected with the 42nd pick of the 2018 draft, ended up starting most games as Detroit’s small forward, so perhaps Stefanski has already ended the organizations unlucky ways. Regardless, they need to nail draft night given the team’s crucial needs and lack of financial flexibility.

So, with that said, who could the Detroit Pistons target with the 14th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft?