Detroit Pistons draft: Offense or defense with the 5th pick?

One thing you can say about the Detroit Pistons this season: They were consistent.

The Pistons were 28th in offensive efficiency in the 2022-23 season and 27th in defensive efficiency, so it’s safe to say that they need big improvement on both sides of the ball.

Getting Cade Cunningham back will certainly help, as will adding the 5th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and hopefully some impact free agents.

The odds for the 5th pick favor Ausar Thompson, Jarace Walker and Cam Whitmore, each who have strengths and limitations on one side of the ball.

Detroit Pistons draft: Offense or defense with the 5th pick?

Obviously the Detroit Pistons are hoping that whoever they take with the 5th pick eventually turns into a very good two-way player who can help them on both ends.

All three of these guys have potential on both sides of the ball, but Cam Whitmore is viewed more of an offensive prospect who can get his own shot. His 3-point shot needs work, but Whitmore should be able to score in transition and off the bounce right away.

Ausar Thompson is seen as more of a defensive specialist who teams hope will eventually develop a better shot. He’s not a great playmaker and shot just 30 percent from 3-point range in Overtime Elite, but his defense should play right away and would be valuable for a Pistons’ team that needs it.

Jarace Walker is another player who is seen more as a defensive asset, though he’s a good passer on offense and his 3-point shot should eventually translate to the NBA level. But teams will be most interested in his ability to defend multiple spots and make an impact on that end right away.

All three players have skillsets that would potentially benefit the Detroit Pistons, but which one they draft (if it even is one of these three players) will have an impact on the types of free agents they go after, as they may look for a defensive stopper to complement Whitmore and for more playmaking and shooter to accompany Thompson or Walker.