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2019 NBA Draft grades for every team: Pelicans get an A+, Rockets get an F

By Brandon Jefferson

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Zion Williamson poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the first overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Zion Williamson poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the first overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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BERLIN, GERMANY – MAY 14: Sekou Doumbouya, #14 of U18 Insep Paris during the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament game U18 Mega Bemas Belgrade v U18 INSEP Paris at Sportforum on May 14, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Patrick Albertini/EB via Getty Images)
BERLIN, GERMANY – MAY 14: Sekou Doumbouya, #14 of U18 Insep Paris during the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament game U18 Mega Bemas Belgrade v U18 INSEP Paris at Sportforum on May 14, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Patrick Albertini/EB via Getty Images) /

Detroit Pistons – B-

15th Overall – Sekou Doumbouya, Forward (France)

37th Overall – Deividas Sirvydis, Guard (Lithuania)

57th Overall – Jordan Bone, Guard (Tennessee)

The Detroit Pistons have spent the majority of the decade-plus in the aftermath of their championship days with Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, Rip Hamilton, and Chauncey Billups riding on the never-ending wheel of mediocrity. They swung for the fences when they traded for Blake Griffin but for as good as he is the team just hasn’t been able to get the right pieces around Griffin and Andre Drummond to produce anything more than a team capable of 35-45 wins.

Standing just outside the lottery on Thursday night it was believed that the team would not be able to bring in one of the top prospects with the 15th overall pick. Yet, with the number of deals made in the lottery the Pistons were able to come away with Sekou Doumbouya. The French forward has long been thought of as one of the most talented players overseas. Doumbouya is also the youngest player to be taken in the draft as he won’t turn 19 until late-December. A do-it-all forward, it wouldn’t be a surprise if former Toronto Raptors coach, Dwayne Casey views Doumbouya similarly to current Raptor Pascal Siakam. Both are tall, long athletes who are at their best attacking in transition or working against smaller new defenders.

They moved up in the second round to the 37th overall pick to dip their toe back into international waters, this time selecting Deividas Sirvydis from Lithuania. A lack of perimeter shooting has been an issue for the Pistons for the last few seasons. In Sirvydis they get a sing very much like current Piston, Luke Kennard. Detroit ended their night by taking arguably the most athletic player in the 2019 NBA Draft, Jordan Bone. The point guard from Tennessee ranked among the top in nearly every testing category during the combine. He also has a serviceable mid-range and pull-up game. The question for Bone is whether or not he turns into more of a playmaker or scorer as he develops.

The Pistons are running out of time to capitalize on the Drummond and Griffin tandem and though two of their three picks are under 20 years old they made the moves to get pieces that they felt could best help their team in the present and the future.

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