Detroit Pistons Receive: F/C P.J. Washington, 2026 First-Round Pick (Swap – CHA) 

Charlotte Hornets Receive: C Jalen Duren, G Killian Hayes 

By contrast, drafting for need instead of selecting the best available player can certainly have its downsides. 

Just look at current Piston Marvin Bagley III. He was the second overall pick in the 2018 draft. Most fans would agree that the Sacramento Kings didn’t pick the best player available. 

That would be Luka Doncic. It’s been suggested that the Kings avoided Doncic because they were weary of his fit alongside De’Aaron Fox. The Kings are in good shape now, but surely, they still regret that decision.

After all, the Kings would eventually send Bagley III to the Pistons in exchange for Josh Jackson, Trey Lyles, and a pair of second-round picks. That isn’t the type of player that a team hopes to get for their second-overall pick.

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons & Charlotte Hornets Updates   

All told it’s a cautionary tale about prioritizing fit over talent. 

Should the Pistons really ignore it?