The NBA Finals are underway, and the draft is set to begin on June 25. The Detroit Pistons have one pick at No. 37 overall in the second round, and it may be best spent on former Michigan center Vladislav Goldin.
The Pistons ran into a few problems in the playoffs, and another big-man could’ve gone a long way. For an analysis of the ways Goldin could help Detroit, see below.
Is Vlad Goldin the missing piece for the Detroit Pistons?
All-star point guard Cade Cunningham got most of the spotlight this season, and deservedly so. The 2021 No. 1 overall pick averaged 26.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 9.1 assists to lead the Pistons to their first winning season since 2016.
Detroit primarily used two players at center this season: Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart. Duren is just 21-years-old, and he averaged a double-double in the regular season and playoffs. Standing at 6-foot-10, 250 pounds, Duren uses brute strength to get the job done down low.
Stewart came off the bench and often provided a boost of energy with his defensive prowess. Similar to Duren, Stewart is a bit undersized for the center position (6-foot-8), but strength is his equalizer.
Stewart missed the final five games of the New York series, and suddenly the Pistons had a hole in the front-court. Detroit had to rely on 6-foot-9, 210-pound Paul Reed to fill in for Stewart, and it didn’t work out well. With seven-footer Karl-Anthony Towns at center for the Knicks, Detroit just didn’t have enough size.
Enter Goldin: a 7-foot-1 paint prowler with offensive skill to boot. Goldin averaged career-highs at Michigan last season with 16.6 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. He also swatted 1.4 shots per contest.
Goldin would give the Pistons much more flexibility with its roster and lineups. Detroit doesn’t have a single seven-footer on its roster, which is becoming increasingly rare for an NBA team. Regarding defense and rebounding alone, Goldin would be a major asset for the Pistons.
Offensively, Goldin would be another big-man for Cunningham and Co. to throw lobs to. Goldin has a more traditional offensive game – including solid post-up skills and an effective jump-hook – that could set him apart on the Detroit roster. He would also allow the Pistons to stretch the floor a bit more, given his developing three-point shot.
In the latest ESPN mock draft, Goldin is projected to be picked 55th by the Los Angeles Lakers. As long as the Pistons don’t trade out of the draft completely, Goldin could be a great fit and even a cornerstone of the franchise’s future.
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