Detroit Pistons in 2024 NBA draft: Second-round targets who could help immediately

The attention will be on the Detroit Pistons during Sunday's 2024 NBA draft lottery. For the second year in a row, Detroit finished with the worst record and thus will have the best odds (14%, tied with the second-place Washington Wizards) to secure the first overall pick.

But the Pistons have an additional draft pick as well. They'll select 53rd overall in the second round after acquiring the New York Knicks' 2024 second-round pick from the Philadelphia 76ers in February. It's rare to find a productive NBA player with a pick that late, but it's been done — last year's 57th pick, Trayce Jackson-Davis, appeared in 68 games with the Golden State Warriors this past season.

Here are five players who could be available late who make sense for the Pistons.

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Payton Sandfort, junior wing, 6-foot-7, Iowa

2023-24 stats: 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 37.9% from 3 (7.3 attempts)

On the shortlist of prospects considered to be among the draft’s best shooters, Sandfort’s draft range appears to firmly be in the second round. The Big Ten product knocked down 38% of his whopping 248 attempts from 3 through three seasons, and set career highs in both attempts and accuracy as a junior last season.

He’s also a productive passer averaging twice as many assists as turnovers, but his defense is a primary factor knocking his draft stock down. Regardless, Detroit needs floor-spacing and Sandfort is among the best options who could be available late.

Alex Karaban, sophomore forward, 6-8, UConn

2023-24 stats: 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 49.5% overall, 37.9% from 3 (5.5 attempts)

Another high-volume, highly-accurate shooter, Karaban hit 38.9% of his 378 3-point attempts through two seasons. He’s an all-around wing who can hold his own defensively, attack the rim on cuts (he shot 64% inside-the-arc this season) and keep the ball moving without turning it over. Karaban also brings size at 6-8, potentially enabling him to play guard and forward in the NBA. Scouts and draft pundits have concerns about his release, though — it’s low, and he rarely takes shots off-the-dribble. Otherwise, he checks many boxes the Pistons need along their wing rotation.

Trevon Brazile, sophomore forward, 6-10, Arkansas

2023-24 stats: 8.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 48.8% overall, 35.3% from 3 (2.6 attempts)

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Brazile has a tantalizing tool kit — 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, athletic and toolsy on defense with some shooting touch. He hasn’t taken a lot of 3-pointers in his career (130 through three seasons) but was a respectable threat nonetheless, making 35.4% of them. A productive shot-blocker who can move his feet, he has two-way potential and could add to Detroit’s depth at power forward.

Pelle Larsson, senior wing, 6-foot-6, Arizona

2023-24 stats: 12.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 51.9% overall, 42.6% from 3 (3 attempts)

At 23, Larsson is one of the oldest players in the draft. He is also among the most proven players that could be available with the 53rd pick. Larsson hit 39.7% of his 3-pointers through four seasons, setting a career-high with 108 attempts this past season, and is efficient inside-the-arc with a proclivity for pull-up jumpers. He reads the floor well and competes defensively, as well.

Jalen Bridges, senior wing, 6-foot-7, Baylor

2023-24 stats: 12.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 41.2% from 3 (5.1 attempts)

Another player in the “3-and-D” mold, Bridges brings plug-and-play potential. He is a strong shooter (37% from 3 on 468 attempts through four seasons) who knocks them down off the catch and dribble, and is viewed as a difference-maker defensively thanks to his length and positional versatility. He turns 23 on May 14, but Detroit needs more perimeter players with his two-way ability.

Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him @omarisankofa.

Lottery ticket

What: 2024 NBA draft lottery.

Fast facts: 3 p.m. Sunday, Chicago; ABC.

The rules: The NBA will determine the top 14 picks in the June draft using the 1,001 different combinations with 14 ping-pong balls.

The top pick: The Pistons and Washington Wizards have the best odds, each at 14%, with the Charlotte Hornets sporting the second-best odds at 13.3%.

Five for fighting: The Pistons can drop no lower than fifth overall. They had the best odds last season and did drop to No. 5 overall.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons 2024 NBA draft: Five second-round targets to consider