The Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons both have a chance to be in position to draft the next NBA prodigy, Victor Wembanyama. With current players looking to develop on each roster, other players returning from injury on both sides, an in-depth analysis shows that each of these teams could use some help at the power forward position. Here's a breakdown of both teams and their needs.
Utah got off to a great start this season. When it's all said and done there are multiple directions they could go with their roster. Lauri Markkanen averaged 25.6 points per game and has proven he can be a number 1 or number 2 scoring option on just about any basketball team. The problem is that the Utah Jazz don’t have the other option. They have a bunch of young guards like Talen Horton-Tucker and Collin Sexton who both still need to prove themselves. The NBA draft is happening soon on June 22, 2023. The Utah Jazz have a 4.3% chance at getting the number 1 pick at the NBA draft. This past season they finished with a 37-45 record and fell just short of the NBA playoffs as they finished in 12th place out of the 15 teams in the Western Conference. They should not draft another point guard unless they are proven to be a better player than Talen or Collin. What they need is another bucket getter on the wing. Someone that can match Lauri Markkanen in shooting and create their own offense, something Lauri really can’t do by himself all game long. The player they need to draft this summer has to have length and be able to contribute to the perimeter defense, almost like a Tayshaun Prince type of player.
Detroit would’ve been in the same position as Utah, but their rising star, Cade Cunningham, got hurt. He was drafted as the number 1 pick in the 2021 NBA draft and really showed his skills during his rookie season averaging 17.8 points per game so him getting injured was very disappointing. He was out for the season this past year and if Cade can come back and play how he has proved, he’ll be Detroit's star player and leader. He’s a great shooter and facilitator, but he needs high energy players around him. Jaden Ivey is a shooting guard that the Pistons drafted 5th overall in the 2022 NBA draft and was a good pick up, he just needs to be more consistent. Bojan Bogdanovic (a former Utah Jazz player) is a good small forward and has the skill to be a great 6th man on a championship team. Detroit has a 14% chance at getting the number 1 pick at the NBA draft. This past season they finished with a 17-65 record and finished dead last at 15th place in the Eastern Conference. The front court for the Pistons has a bright future, Jalen Duren is a beast in the paint and James Wiseman should work on his handles and just become a small forward lefty, same with Marvin Bagley. Detroit needs someone that can score efficiently at the 4 and help Duren man the paint.
Victor Wembanyana, the projected number one pick can do it all and has the potential to change the trajectory of any NBA franchise whether they are good or bad. His height is 7 foot 5 inches. He plays the power forward and center position. He is considered to be one of the greatest prospects of our generation because of his effortless ability to handle the ball as good as most guards and shoot the three pointer efficiently. NBA scouts are very impressed by his size and offensive profile. He is arguably the best player to play in the NBA since Lebron James. Both the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons could use a player like him but there are 7 other NBA teams looking to draft him as well.
NBA Draft lottery odds
Detroit Pistons 17-65 (14%)
Houston Rockets 22-60 (14%)
San Antonio Spurs 22-60 (14%)
Charlotte Hornets 27-55 (12.5%)
Portland Trailblazers 33-49 (10.5%)
Orlando Magic 34-48 (9%)
Indiana Pacers 35-47 (6.8%)
Washington Wizards 35-47 (6.7%)
Utah Jazz 37-45 (4.5%)
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