Can you feel it NBA fans? The 2024 NBA Draft is only moments away, and the excitement can be felt all throughout the globe. Let's check out our 2024 Draft Odds series where our N0.5 Overall Draft Pick Prediction will be revealed for all to see.
Equipped with the fifth-overall pick in this year's draft, the Detroit Pistons will most likely be more than excited to select someone who can help restore greatness to the organization. Clearly, it has been a major struggle for Detroit on the hardwood in recent seasons. Over the course of the last two seasons, it is Detroit has won a whopping 31 games total. The franchise has also not endured a winning year since 2015-2016. Nearing close to a decade of misery, can Detroit change their fortunes forever by selecting a baller in tonight's draft?
Here are the 2024 NBA Draft odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
2024 NBA Draft Odds: N0.5 Overall Draft Pick Prediction
Matas Buzelis: -120
Donovan Clingan: +210
Cody Williams: +1900
Rod Dillingham: +1900
Why Matas Buzelis Will Be Selected
On paper, Buzelis is a popular pick to be selected by the Pistons in many mock drafts. For many weeks, there have been plenty of analysts and fans of the game who believe Buzelis could be calling the “Motor City” his brand-new home.
Buzelis' offensive game needs refinement, particularly his three-point shooting, which is considered his biggest area for improvement heading into the draft. However, his defensive abilities have received praise. In the G League, he averaged seven rebounds and two blocks per game, showcasing his strong defensive presence. Additionally, he averaged one steal per game, highlighting his ability to contribute on both ends of the floor defensively. Could Buzelis be the perfect man for the job to return Detroit and its basketball team back to glory?
Why Donovan Clingan Will Be Selected
Another fellow big man that Detroit will certainly have its eyes on by the time draft night rolls around, the UConn standout center is a sight to behold to say the least. Although the Pistons might have to get a little lucky for Clingan to fall to #5, it definitely isn't out of the question.
Clingan not only offers the potential to become an elite rim defender for a team lacking a defensive identity but also presents the Detroit Pistons with the opportunity to leverage his availability in trade discussions. If rumors hold true, several competitive teams are eager to acquire a defender of Clingan’s caliber. This positions the Pistons to negotiate from a position of strength, potentially securing a substantial return of future assets rather than hastily sacrificing long-term prospects for short-term gains.
No matter what happens if the Pistons end up deciding to take the talented big man from the collegiate national champs in Clingan, they will clearly be in good hands.
Why Cody Williams Will Be Selected
Don't look now, but the forward out of Colorado in Cody Williams could be a surprise name that the Pistons could end up taking with the fifth-overall pick.
Overall, Williams as an NBA prospect is a puzzling one. From a sheer talent perspective, Williams has the proper skill set to be a major contributor at the NBA level. However, Williams often struggled mightily with injuries during his lone season of college ball up in Boulder as he ended up playing in just 24 games.
Williams demonstrates exceptional court awareness on both offense and defense. His adeptness is particularly evident in transition, where he displays a keen sense of timing to accelerate the tempo, maneuver through congestion, and effectively set up scoring opportunities for his teammates. This ability extends to half-court scenarios, where he excels as a slashing threat capable of finishing with either hand and making intelligent decisions while dribbling.
As a whole, Williams' upside could be far too great to pass up if you're Detroit. Obviously, the Pistons are in major need of a next-level scorer at all three levels of the floor. Despite having some room to improve his three-point shot, he excels at driving to the rim and has the athleticism to finish over any defender. Indeed, don't be overly alarmed if the Pistons aren't at least tempted to take Williams here.
Final 2024 NBA Draft No.5 Overall Pick Prediction
At the end of the day, Buzelis makes way too much sense here. Not only are there many outlets reporting that it is most likely that Buzelis finds himself packing his bags to Detroit, but he would also be a schematically fit right off the bat.
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