Paolo Banchero, F, Duke
One of the areas that the Detroit Pistons were looking to improve this season is the center spot. They were linked to some leading up to the NBA trade deadline and have been mentioned as a possible suitor for New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson when he hits free agency this summer.
Paolo Banchero may not play center full-time in the NBA, but given his size and the positionless basketball that is prevalent in the league, you cannot count it out. Even if he doesn’t play center, the Pistons would be hard-pressed to pass him up inside the top-3.
The power forward position is currently held by Jerami Grant, but if Detroit gets a long-term option such as Paolo Banchero in the draft, they could be more open to fielding trade offers for Grant, who will be looking for an extension this summer.
Paolo Banchero is a skilled offensive player who has plenty of moves in his repertoire. He has the potential to develop 3-point range down the line but can already do damage inside the paint with an array of post moves and a confident stroke from the mid-range. His 76.6 percent from the foul line gives hope that he can develop a more consistent jump shot in-game.
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His condition with over sweating during games, which leads to immense weight loss in games and cramping, is something teams will have to figure out in the NBA. Getting him focused consistently on defense is another area that will have to be addressed, but Paolo Banchero looks like a top-3 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
