Detroit Pistons: 2017 NBA Draft Grades
Detroit Pistons / Luke Kennard(12th) / Shooting Guard / Duke
Grade: A-
Stats: 19.5 points per game, 5.1 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game with 53–44–86 shooting percentage splits.
Analysis: The Pistons needed some depth, I thought they could have used a bit more in the forward area, but a shooter off the bench will do just fine here. He doesn’t have great length, he’s not fast, and can’t jump that high, but his footwork is exceptional, moves off screens well and gets shots off while knocking down a huge percentage of them. He’s not going to be a starter in the NBA unless a team is looking to tank. Kennard will probably be the worst defender on the floor when he is on the court, but that is not for lack of effort on his part. He has an amazing work ethic and that should help him not fall too far on the depth chart.
I love his shooting and his work ethic. It will be interesting to see how he develops in a much faster league.
Fit:
· Pistons needs entering draft: Depth
The Pistons have a decent starting five, one that could push for a playoff spot in the East, but after the starters leave the floor there is a lot to be desired. They could use a shooter off the bench first and foremost. This will help save the legs of both Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson. The Pistons need to look at some depth at the three position as well. There isn’t a starter at the position when they pick, but there could be a nice role player there.
· Player address those needs?
Kennard does add some much-needed guard depth to the Pistons. They needed some off-the-bench shooting and they got the third best shooter in the draft on my board. Kennard is going to be able to get the Pistons quite a bit of points off the bench once he adjusts to the speed of the league.
· Where on roster?
Luke Kennard is going to be the seventh or eighth guy off the bench for the Pistons and that is going to be his peak. Kennard will probably not challenge for a starting spot or even sixth man. He’s not going to be J.J. Reddick and work his way into a starting lineup, but he’ll be a fine role player off the bench.
· Immediate or future help?
Kennard is not going to be getting a ton of minutes in Detroit day one. He is going to have to earn those minutes and I don’t see him getting more than 12–15 minutes initially for Stan Van Gundy. He is not going to be able to get his shot off in the NBA like he did for the Blue Devils, he’s going to have to work a little bit harder in the league. Picking up his foot speed is going to be something he needs to work on hard this coming offseason and the future.
