With the 2021 NBA Draft merely a week away, the Detroit Pistons find themselves in possession of the coveted No. 1 pick. Numerous indications strongly suggest an obvious selection.
Are the Pistons planning to surprise everyone with an unexpected move at the start of the draft? Could they potentially trade their pick? Which other storylines should basketball fans in the state of Michigan be paying attention to?
We’ve got you covered.
Cade Cunningham a consensus top pick
Even prior to the NBA Draft Lottery, Cade Cunningham had already solidified his position as the top prospect in this year’s draft.
As the draft approaches, one thing remains consistent.
Next Thursday, Cunningham is the clear frontrunner to be chosen as the top pick overall.
Let’s take a glance at the diverse odds offered by different online sports betting platforms in Michigan.
Cunningham appears to have a firm hold on the top spot, while Jalen Green (+1000 to +1500), Evan Mobley (+1500 to +2200), and Jalen Suggs (+2000 to +2500) follow closely behind in the odds.
There are odds provided for the draft positions of several players, but there is no prediction available for the team that will ultimately secure the No. 1 pick.
Last month marked a historic moment for the Pistons as they secured their first-ever lottery win. It appears highly likely that Detroit will select Cunningham as their top choice with the No. 1 pick, based on current indications.
ESPN recently published an article exploring various trade offers that Detroit could potentially receive for their top selection.
The majority of offers originate from teams ranked in the top 10, such as the offer that involves obtaining Houston’s second overall pick, their 24th pick, and the return of their original 2024 first-round pick.
A different possibility entails Golden State offering No. 7, No. 14, a 2024 pick, and James Wiseman to Detroit, in exchange for No. 1, No. 37, Rodney McGruder, and Jahlil Okafor.
While a few of the trades may be interesting, they appear to only further extend the Pistons’ rebuilding endeavors.
Cunningham recently participated in a workout in Detroit, followed by his attendance at a Detroit Tigers game. In a display of their desires, fans erupted into a chant of ‘We Want Cade,’ making their intentions clear to the Pistons.
Michigan’s Franz Wagner in the top 10?
In addition to the controversy surrounding the top pick, basketball enthusiasts in the mitten can divert their attention towards the college players participating in the draft.
It seems like Franz Wagner from Michigan is the leading choice among in-state D1 programs.
After completing his sophomore season with the Michigan Wolverines, the small forward, standing at an impressive height of 6’9″, decided to depart. Throughout his time with the team, he showcased remarkable statistics, averaging 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.
According to ESPN’s projections, Wagner is ranked as the 10th-best player among those eligible for the 2021 NBA Draft. Similarly, oddsmakers also consider him to be a top-10 pick.
According to both DraftKings and BetMGM, Wagner’s Over/Under for draft position is 9.5. Additionally, DraftKings has him listed at -145 to be a top-10 pick.
Sports Illustrated predicts that Wagner will be selected by the Sacramento Kings as the 9th pick in their most recent mock draft.
In the 2018 NBA Draft, Moritz Wagner, the brother of Franz, was selected as the No. 25 overall pick.
Second-round NBA Draft potential in Michigan, too
Some notable names without any affiliation to the Pistons could potentially emerge in the second round of Thursday’s 2021 NBA Draft.
Aaron Henry from Michigan State, Isaiah Livers from Michigan, and Jason Preston from Ohio are all potential candidates to have their names announced.
Henry’s draft position is listed at 43.5, whereas Preston’s is slightly better at 41.5. On the other hand, Livers is further behind with a draft position of 52.5.
Preston, a 6-foot-4 point guard, departed Ohio after his junior year following an impressive run in which he guided the Bobcats to the NCAA Tournament and secured a first-round victory over Virginia. Throughout the season, he maintained an average of 15.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game.
According to The Athletic (subscription), Preston, who used to be a blogger at PistonPowered, a team-focused fan site, shares a similar upbringing as his Jamaican mother, both being avid fans of the Pistons.
According to SI, the Oklahoma City Thunder is projected to select Preston as the 34th overall pick.
After completing his junior season, Henry made the decision to depart from MSU. Despite occasional inconsistencies in his performance, the 6-6 guard remained the driving force for the Spartans. Throughout the 2020-21 season, he maintained impressive averages of 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.
According to SI’s projections, Henry is expected to be drafted by the Atlanta Hawks as the 48th overall pick.
Livers, a 6-7 forward for Michigan, made the decision to come back for his senior year and played a crucial role in leading the Wolverines to the Elite Eight. Throughout the season, he showcased his skills by averaging 13.1 points and 6.0 rebounds, both of which were career-best performances. Additionally, Livers displayed his shooting prowess with an impressive 43.1% accuracy from beyond the arc.
According to SI, Livers is expected to be selected at No. 59 by the Brooklyn Nets after successfully making it through the selection process.
FanDuel promotion gives you $10 back on NBA Draft bets
A promotion has been introduced by FanDuel Sportsbook in celebration of the NBA Draft.
In order to participate, players are required to opt-in and bet a total of $25 on the draft, with the bets having odds of -200 or longer, such as +150.
Regardless of the outcome of their bets, players will receive $10 in site credit upon settlement.
