The Pistons are the biggest losers of the NBA Draft lottery

Despite Detroit’s worst effort, it wasn’t enough to get the first pick in the NBA Draft lottery. Not even close. 

The Pistons received the No. 5 pick in the upcoming draft during a season they went 17-65, the worst record in the NBA. Let this be a lesson to all general managers thinking of tanking: don’t do it—especially when it’s destiny for the Spurs to land generational big men whenever they have a chance.

Detroit shouldn’t get much sympathy considering it did win the 2021 draft lottery. But pour one out for Pistons fans because the 2023-24 season probably won’t look much different from this one without Victor Wembanyama joining the squad. 

If paired with Cade Cunningham, Detroit would have two promising young players to build a contender around. Instead, the Pistons will likely wander the NBA wilderness again next season.

The 2023 NBA Draft isn’t particularly deep, meaning anyone Detroit selects at No. 5 shouldn’t be expected to contribute right away. 

Detroit will likely be in the same position next year, where it will sit with fingers crossed in hopes of landing Bronny James. 

But winning will have to wait. For a fanbase starved for something worth celebrating, Tuesday’s lottery result is perhaps the most painful loss of a terrible season.