The Detroit Pistons now have 11 former first-round picks with addition of R.J. Hampton
The Detroit Pistons are once again going to be one of the worst teams in the NBA when all is said and done. Sure, it could be said that the team has an intriguing future with the trio of Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey growing together in the future. Cunningham has missed most of this season because of a shin-splint surgery, though. Ivey is inconsistent as best as a rookie and Duren is the youngest player in the NBA.
All three players still have a lot of growing to do as NBA players. So if the Pistons do have a championship future, it sure feels like it's a long way away.
This is despite the fact that general manager Troy Weaver has put together a roster featuring 11 former first-round picks. The latest addition is former No. 24 overall pick (2020) R.J. Hampton, who was recently released by the Orlando Magic and then picked up by Detroit on waivers.
It's clear that Weaver certainly has a type on the free-agency and/or trade market.
He traded for former No. 2 overall pick (2018) Marvin Bagley III last season, and this season traded Saddiq Bey for another former No. 2 overall pick (2020) in James Wiseman. Neither player had worked out with the team that originally drafted them, but Weaver clearly is trying to build an environment where players with unrealized potential could potentially realize it.
His own high draft picks that are on the team include Cunningham (No. 1 in 2021), Ivey (No. 5 in 2022), Killian Hayes (No. 7 in 2020), Duren (No. 13 in 2022), and Isaiah Stewart (No. 16 in 2020). The Pistons also have a bevy of veterans that at one time were drafted high in their respective draft classes. That list includes Nerlens Noel, (No. 6 in 2013), Alec Burks (No. 12 in 2011), and Cory Joseph (No. 29 in 2011). It's worth noting that Detroit is in the running for another top pick at 15-44 and perhaps the franchise's fortunes could be turned around by landing Victor Wembanyama if the Pistons get the first overall pick again.
With that said, clearly, having a roster of former top picks with unrealized potential has not worked so far.
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