Fansided

2017 FanSided NBA Network Mock Draft: Let the experts decide

By Staff

March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bulls draft prospect
Jan 28, 2017; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Luke Kennard (5) shoots a three point shot against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Duke defeated Wake 85-83. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Luke Kennard

Shooting Guard, Duke

Luke Kennard fills a dire need in the shooting department for the Detroit Pistons. He’s coming off a sophomore season at Duke in which he shot almost 44 percent from 3-point range, and he can also slot in behind Kentavious Caldwell-Pope at backup shooting guard and possibly eat up some minutes at backup small forward in relief of Marcus Morris.

While Zach Collins was also still on our board at No. 12, and we are in need of bigs who can stretch the floor, we decided that need was secondary and something we can fill through free agency with either the mid-level exception or minimum veteran signings. The Pistons are cap-strapped going into this offseason, and this is a selection that allows us to both pick the best player and prospect available, while adding depth with a player who can play useful reserve minutes. It may also make Reggie Bullock and either Darrun Hilliard or Michael Gbinije expendable, freeing up some extra money to help keep the Pistons out of the luxury tax after re-signing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in restricted free agency.

— Duncan Smith, Piston Powered, @PistonPowered