NBA Draft 2020: 5 franchises that need to add a point guard

Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are in a state of transition. After waiving former starting guard Reggie Jackson and offloading two-time All-Star Andre Drummond to the Cavs for pennies around February’s trade deadline, the roster is under extensive reconstruction.

Duke sharpshooter Luke Kennard, the team’s 2017 lottery selection, was nearly dealt to Phoenix for draft compensation before talks stalled, and six-time All-Star Blake Griffin likely would’ve been floated around had he not opted for a second surgery on his ailing left knee after appearing in a mere 18 games.

The 2019-20 season was bad, hence a lowly 20-46 record and another trip to the lottery.

But it wasn’t all bad.

Kennard enjoyed a career year before getting sidelined with nagging knee tendinitis, with his newfound creation role on offense producing career-high averages in points (15.8), assists (4.1), and three-pointers (2.8). Bruce Brown elevated his game as a playmaker (4.0 assists per game) and maintained his characteristic bulldog mentality on the defensive end.

Christian Wood, a frontcourt journeyman who’s already played for five different teams in four seasons, earned himself a hefty payday with his play following Drummond’s ousting, averaging 21.6 points and 9.1 rebounds on .559/.406/.759 shooting over the last two months of the season. And Sekou Doumbouya, last year’s first-round pick, displayed tantalizing flashes of raw athleticism despite a so-so rookie campaign.

These are all fine pieces to build with, should the first-year general manager Troy Weaver opt to hold on to Kennard and re-sign Wood to a competitive deal. But none of these players profile as drivers of an offense, especially when the only point guard on the roster heading into next year is 32-year-old Derrick Rose, who only has one year ($7.7 million) left on a very tradeable contract.

With the No. 7 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Weaver will have a chance at giving his team a much-needed jolt of youthful talent in the backcourt. Killian Hayes is a superb pick-and-roll guard whose defense on the ball and at the nail could help cover up Kennard’s shortcomings on that end, and his passing acumen would be an excellent complement to rim-runner like Wood.

He’s the most attractive option at seven — and has ties to former Pistons guard Will Bynum — but there are alternatives in the late-lottery range. Kira Lewis is the draft’s quickest player, with dynamic slashing and live-dribble passing to boot, and could learn a thing or two from a former high-flying speedster in Rose.

Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton is better suited for a Lonzo Ball-type role as a secondary playmaker and transition point guard, but could functionally fit in an offense built around Griffin in the short-term, though that’s rather dependent on his return to All-Star form. If Detroit looks to trade back to acquire more assets (from a team like, say, the Boston Celtics), then guards like Cole Anthony (pull-up shooting), Tyrese Maxey (two-way upside), and Tyrell Terry (pure shooting) are reasonable targets.

Oklahoma City’s front office crafted a reputation of a team that prioritized physical tools and upside while Weaver was there (2008-20), so it’s not a foregone conclusion that he picks a guard in the lottery. Nonetheless, he certainly has options.