Saddiq Bey, Detroit Pistons (19th pick)
23.0 MPG, 10.5/4.4/0.8, 51.7% eFG%
There isn’t a lot to get excited about right now if you’re a Pistons fan, but Saddiq Bey has been one of the few bright spots in what looks like a painful rebuilding process. Detroit drafted Killian Hayes with the 7th overall pick, and while he has exciting long-term upside, Saddiq Bey has been the best rookie on the team early in the season.
Bey falling to 19th in the draft was a bit of a surprise to me just because he has skills that easily translate to the NBA and are highly valued in the league today: defensive versatility and the ability to consistently knock down an outside shot.
At 6-foot-8, Bey can switch ball screens and guard multiple positions, and if he continues making three pointers at above 40 percent like he is right now he’ll be a valuable player for a long time. Defensively it’ll be in his best interest to continue filling out his frame and getting stronger, but with his length and high basketball IQ he’ll have no problem contributing on that end. It’s already clear that the Pistons got great value with this pick.