For The Second Consecutive Year The Detroit Pistons Got Absolutely Screwed In The NBA Draft Lottery

Kamil Krzaczynski. Getty Images.

Quick, name the generational talent that everyone has been salivating over for months heading into today's NBA Draft Lottery…

……

……..

………..

OK, so maybe that guy doesn't exist. This time last year, we were enthralled with Wembymania, and for good reason. But even outside of Wemby there were still high-end lottery talents that most considered franchise building blocks. This year the Lottery had its least amount of buzz since what, 2013? No supposed stars or superstars or generational talents, but I'm sure we'll look back one day and see that there were a handful of quality players.

And even though there may not have been a Wemby in this Draft, that still doesn't mean we didn't get some drama. Take the Detroit Pistons for example. You know, the team with the NBA's worst record (again), who went multiple months without winning a game. They are now dealing with the reality that the Basketball Gods will simply not reward them for their inability to win basketball games

Last year, the 17-65 Pistons had a 14% chance at Wemby, which were tied for the best odds. All that losing was rewarded with the 5th overall pick. They ultimately got a good player in Ausar Thompson who looks like he's destined for a whole lot of All NBA Defensive teams, but he's certainly not Wemby or even any of the top 3 guys. 

This year, the 14-68 Pistons once again had a 14% chance at the top pick. And sadly, once again the Basketball Gods decided to give them a giant middle finger and reward all that losing with another #5 pick

Now that is just some shit luck. Is the NBA mad that the Pistons refuse to win games? We all know the league has a history of funny business when it comes to the Lottery, so is this their way of saying this type of tanking bullshit will not be tolerated? If so, I don't hate it. Brutal for Pistons fans, but they legit went months without winning a game. That felt impossible at that time.

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Even in a year where there isn't a standout guy, you at least have options should you find yourself with a top 1-3 pick. But at 5? Nobody is really looking to overpay for something like that when this draft doesn't appear to be all that great. The thing is, I still like a lot of the Pistons young players. Cade is legit, Jalen Duran is a great young center, Jaden Ivey might have something and Thompson is already a great defender. Not to mention the Pistons have $60M in cap space to offer this summer, so if it were me I'd be looking to shop that pick and get some win now talent. Look at what that did for the Rockets and their turnaround. Unfortunately, that's a little tougher to do from 5 than it is from say, 1. That's where the lottery boning really hurts. 

You didn't get a top pick to select a guy who might turn out elite, and you're pick is low enough to where the value of it isn't all that great in a weak draft. It's like NBA purgatory but for draft picks, and nobody wants to be in NBA purgatory.

For the Hawks, congrats on the first lottery win in franchise history. Is this the move that helps springboard a rebuild? What does Trae Young and #1 get you on the open market? Either way, like Dejoute Murray suggests, we're in for a fun summer

To any Pistons fans out there. I'm sorry. You keep getting screwed, no other way to say it. But I do think sooner or later the current young talent on your roster will translate to wins at some point, so at least you have that.