NBA Mock Draft 6.0: Is anyone’s ceiling higher than Anthony Edwards?

The Detroit Pistons have just a 10.5 percent chance of ending up with the top pick but the Tankathon simulation blessed them here and makes the calculus much easier. With a new GM, Troy Weaver, in place and talking about the importance of Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose next season it’s clear that the Pistons aren’t ready to fully pivot into a rebuild yet. But even a healthy Griffin-Rose Pistons team is not a lock to make the playoffs next year. As exciting as Sekou Doumbouya and Luke Kennard are, neither can be counted on yet as a foundational piece for the iteration that comes after Griffin and Rose eventually fade out.

If the Pistons land at No. 6 they have a difficult choice between players with upside but slightly lower ceilings. In the top spot, they can just swing for the fences and take the player who most easily projects as a high-level primary scorer, the kind of player who can carry an offense. Edwards needs to become a 3-point shooter, work on defense and play with consistent effort and intensity but he’s the best chance the Pistons have of finding the next face-of-the-franchise in this class.

Learn more about Anthony Edwards with our full scouting report.