NBA Draft: Pistons add No. 37 pick, Wendell Moore in deal with the Wolves
NBA Draft: Pistons add No. 37 pick, Wendell Moore in deal with the Wolves
The Detroit Pistons must like what they see on the remaining draft board entering the second round. New president Trajan Langdon added the 37th overall pick in the second round of Thursday’s NBA Draft from the Minnesota Timberwolves by taking on the $2.5 million contract of little-used guard Wendell Moore Jr and sending back the 53rd overall pick.
Players notably available who could interest the Pistons if they fall to 37 include Jonathan Mogbo, Tyler Smith, Kyle Filipowski, Johnny Furphy, Bobi Klintman, Ajay Mitchell, Cam Christie, Nikola Djurišić, and Tyler Kolek per DBB draft analyst Blake Silverman.
It is hard to project what will be the driving decision for Trajan Langdon with an additional asset today as the team surprised many by clearly going for the high-upside best-player-available strategy in Wednesday’s round one with the selection of Ron Holland at No. 5.
Holland joins a crowded young team full of high-upside, athletic, non-shooting players who need a lot of development.
In round two, Langdon and the Pistons could target the same exact profile. Alternatively, they could be looking to shore up a weakness and provide some balance on the roster. The team has clear needs for shooting, a backup point guard, and a backup center — either a defensive prospect or someone who can stretch the floor.
It doesn’t immediately appear that Wendell Moore could be considered in the team’s plans going forward. His shooting hasn’t translated from college to the NBA or the G League, and he’s played less than 250 NBA minutes in two seasons. He was the 26th overall pick in 2022.