Detroit Pistons: Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller?

The Detroit Pistons struggles will hopefully bring success when the 2023 NBA Draft lottery takes place. French basketball star Victor Wembanyama of Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 is the presumptive number one overall pick, and dream scenario for lottery bound teams. He along with Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey would be the foundation of a top young core in the NBA.

But what happens if the Pistons don’t have lottery luck?

Scoot Henderson, a guard for the NBA G-League Ignite, has been the consensus number two overall pick for most of the year. Speculation around the league believes the Pistons could take Alabama Crimson Tide forward Brandon Miller if they land the 2nd overall pick as reported by HoopsHype.

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Best Player Available or Best Fit?

Scoot Henderson continues to be the second best prospect on the board according to most around league circles. But the Pistons have a dilemma as Brandon Miller appears to be the best fit based on roster need. The trade sending Jerami Grant to the Portland Trailblazers exposed their need for a rangy, versatile defender who can defend the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo and others.

Both players provide elite skills, but which should be the pick?

Scoot Henderson

19 Games Played | 30.7 MPG | 17.1 PPG | 5.1 RPG | 6.6 APG | 27.5% 3PT

Provides another facilitator in the half court and transition which is a little different than just playmaker. If Henderson were asked to stand in the corner, it wouldn’t be the same dark cavern it was for Sekou Doumbouya. An offensive play is never really dead with him on the court, something we’ve seen plague the Pistons through the rebuild. He has some work to do in regard to catch and shoot three’s, but his speed, athleticism and handles more than makeup for it. In fact it has made Henderson nearly impossible to defend at the G-League level.

Think about what NBA spacing has done for Jaden Ivey, and now think about Henderson doing similar things with his skillset.

I’ve pondered what happens if the Pistons do wind up with Scoot, and believe me none of the options involved trading Cade or Jaden Ivey. I’m thinking more along the lines of what the Indiana Pacers are doing with rookie Bennedict Mathurin. He is the main facilitator and ball handler off the bench, but still receives starter and crunch time minutes.

Brandon Miller

36 Games Played | 32.7 MPG | 19.1 PPG | 8.2 RPG | 2 APG | 39.5% 3PT

Brandon Miller fills one of the Detroit Pistons biggest needs as a quality forward who can stretch the floor with elite potential. Standing six-foot and nine-inches tall mixed with his versatility presents a lot of positives on offense and defense. And he instantly become a top three point target on this current Pistons roster, but I’m more intrigued by his defensive potential.

I love his ability to shoot from almost any place on the court, but the Pistons biggest need is defense. He’s shown potential to be what Grant was defensively, but needing less touches and usage on the offensive side of the ball to be effective.

Finishing in traffic is something he needs to work on, but his shooting should help off-set the time needed to improve. The concern is despite his elite skillset and best potential fit for the Pistons, he’s still not the second best rated prospect on board.

Are you in the camp of ‘Best Player Available’ or ‘Best Fit Available’? Because for the Pistons, it may be the difference between Scoot Henderson, or Brandon Miller.