SPORTS

Rod Beard grades last 20 top Pistons draft picks

Go through the gallery to see analysis and grades on the Pistons’ top draft picks over the last 20 years, by Rod Beard of The Detroit News.
Go through the gallery to see analysis and grades on the Pistons’ top draft picks over the last 20 years, by Rod Beard of The Detroit News.
Associated Press
2015: Stanley Johnson, G/F, first round, No. 8 overall, Arizona: The Pistons bolstered their bench and got an all-around athlete with excellent upside. His rookie year was good and his future looks promising, as he’ll be a centerpiece for their future. GRADE: B-plus
2015: Stanley Johnson, G/F, first round, No. 8 overall, Arizona: The Pistons bolstered their bench and got an all-around athlete with excellent upside. His rookie year was good and his future looks promising, as he’ll be a centerpiece for their future. GRADE: B-plus
Elsa, Getty Images
2014: Spencer Dinwiddie, G, second round, No. 38 overall, Colorado: He had good size (6-6) at point guard, but never really got a full opportunity to take the reins. He was the third point guard last season and a foot injury sidetracked his season. He was traded to the Bulls last week for Cameron Bairstow. GRADE: C
2014: Spencer Dinwiddie, G, second round, No. 38 overall, Colorado: He had good size (6-6) at point guard, but never really got a full opportunity to take the reins. He was the third point guard last season and a foot injury sidetracked his season. He was traded to the Bulls last week for Cameron Bairstow. GRADE: C
Nick Laham, Getty Images
2013: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, G, first round, No. 8 overall, Georgia: In hindsight, this turned out to be the more prudent pick for then-GM Joe Dumars, who passed on local favorite Trey Burke. Caldwell-Pope has developed into a reliable starting guard, and is one of the best backcourt defenders in the NBA. If his offense continues to evolve, he could be an All-Star. GRADE: A
2013: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, G, first round, No. 8 overall, Georgia: In hindsight, this turned out to be the more prudent pick for then-GM Joe Dumars, who passed on local favorite Trey Burke. Caldwell-Pope has developed into a reliable starting guard, and is one of the best backcourt defenders in the NBA. If his offense continues to evolve, he could be an All-Star. GRADE: A
Mike Stobe, Getty Images
2012: Andre Drummond, C, first round, No. 9 overall, Connecticut: The Pistons got lucky that Drummond fell to them, but he’s turned into a bit of a steal. An All-Star last season, he led the league in rebounding. Free-throw issues aside, he’s not yet become the force the Pistons believe he will be. GRADE: A-minus
2012: Andre Drummond, C, first round, No. 9 overall, Connecticut: The Pistons got lucky that Drummond fell to them, but he’s turned into a bit of a steal. An All-Star last season, he led the league in rebounding. Free-throw issues aside, he’s not yet become the force the Pistons believe he will be. GRADE: A-minus
Elsa, Getty Images
2011: Brandon Knight, G, first round, No. 8 overall, Kentucky: They needed a guard at the time and took a chance on Knight, who stayed two years before being traded to the Bucks for Brandon Jennings. He’s bounced around with three teams and was solid, with 19.6 points, last season. GRADE: B
2011: Brandon Knight, G, first round, No. 8 overall, Kentucky: They needed a guard at the time and took a chance on Knight, who stayed two years before being traded to the Bucks for Brandon Jennings. He’s bounced around with three teams and was solid, with 19.6 points, last season. GRADE: B
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2010: Greg Monroe, C, first round, No. 7 overall, Georgetown: As with Drummond, the Pistons weren’t expecting Monroe to drop to them, but stocked their frontcourt with a steady big man, who had a good five seasons in Detroit before heading to the Bucks, who are shopping him now. GRADE: B
2010: Greg Monroe, C, first round, No. 7 overall, Georgetown: As with Drummond, the Pistons weren’t expecting Monroe to drop to them, but stocked their frontcourt with a steady big man, who had a good five seasons in Detroit before heading to the Bucks, who are shopping him now. GRADE: B
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2009: Austin Daye, F, first round, No. 15 overall, Gonzaga: Billed as a Tayshuan Prince clone, Daye struggled to find his footing with the Pistons. This draft didn’t produce much after No. 15, so the Pistons did pretty well with Daye. GRADE: C
2009: Austin Daye, F, first round, No. 15 overall, Gonzaga: Billed as a Tayshuan Prince clone, Daye struggled to find his footing with the Pistons. This draft didn’t produce much after No. 15, so the Pistons did pretty well with Daye. GRADE: C
Jim McIsaac, Getty Images
2008: D.J. White, F, first round, No. 29 overall, Indiana: In their heyday, the Pistons didn’t need much and took a chance on White, then traded him for Walter Sharpe and Trent Plaisted. Sharpe’s NBA career consisted of just eight games with the Pistons. White lasted six NBA seasons and 138 games. GRADE: D
2008: D.J. White, F, first round, No. 29 overall, Indiana: In their heyday, the Pistons didn’t need much and took a chance on White, then traded him for Walter Sharpe and Trent Plaisted. Sharpe’s NBA career consisted of just eight games with the Pistons. White lasted six NBA seasons and 138 games. GRADE: D
Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images
2007: Rodney Stuckey, G, first round, No. 15 overall, Eastern Washington: A relative unknown at the time, Stuckey developed into a steady guard in his seven years with the Pistons, producing 13.4 points and 3.9 rebounds; he’s still kicking with the Pacers. GRADE: B
2007: Rodney Stuckey, G, first round, No. 15 overall, Eastern Washington: A relative unknown at the time, Stuckey developed into a steady guard in his seven years with the Pistons, producing 13.4 points and 3.9 rebounds; he’s still kicking with the Pacers. GRADE: B
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2006: Will Blalock, G, second round, No. 60 overall, Iowa State: The Pistons only had one pick in this draft and gave Blalock a look. He played in 14 games and managed just 25 points — total. GRADE: D
2006: Will Blalock, G, second round, No. 60 overall, Iowa State: The Pistons only had one pick in this draft and gave Blalock a look. He played in 14 games and managed just 25 points — total. GRADE: D
Gregory Shamus, Getty Images
2005: Jason Maxiell, F, first round, No. 26 overall, Cincinnati: He was an undersized power forward but was powerful and carved out a nice eight-year career with the Pistons, with a role on the post-championship teams. GRADE: B
2005: Jason Maxiell, F, first round, No. 26 overall, Cincinnati: He was an undersized power forward but was powerful and carved out a nice eight-year career with the Pistons, with a role on the post-championship teams. GRADE: B
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2004: Rickey Paulding, G, second round, No. 54 overall, Missouri: Paulding, the local product who played at Detroit Renaissance, never panned out with the Pistons. It was a second-round gamble, so no real loss. GRADE: D
2004: Rickey Paulding, G, second round, No. 54 overall, Missouri: Paulding, the local product who played at Detroit Renaissance, never panned out with the Pistons. It was a second-round gamble, so no real loss. GRADE: D
Ronald Martinez, Getty Images
2003: Darko Milicic, F, first round, No. 2 overall, Serbia: It's probably impossible to overstate the wasted opportunity here. The Pistons passed on Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh for Milicic, who now is an MMA fighter. Just the mention of the name Darko Milicic still elicits groans from Pistons fans. GRADE: F
2003: Darko Milicic, F, first round, No. 2 overall, Serbia: It's probably impossible to overstate the wasted opportunity here. The Pistons passed on Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh for Milicic, who now is an MMA fighter. Just the mention of the name Darko Milicic still elicits groans from Pistons fans. GRADE: F
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2002: Tayshaun Prince, F, first round, No. 23 overall, Kentucky: The Pistons didn’t have great choices among this draft class, but got one of the best producers in the draft in Prince. He was a key piece to the championship team and had a nice, 12-year Pistons career. GRADE: A
2002: Tayshaun Prince, F, first round, No. 23 overall, Kentucky: The Pistons didn’t have great choices among this draft class, but got one of the best producers in the draft in Prince. He was a key piece to the championship team and had a nice, 12-year Pistons career. GRADE: A
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2001: Rodney White, F, first round, No. 9 overall, Charlotte: Another lightning-rod draft pick, White showed plenty of potential and was projected to be a transformative player at his position. He was traded to the Denver Nuggets for a package that included Don Reid. GRADE: C
2001: Rodney White, F, first round, No. 9 overall, Charlotte: Another lightning-rod draft pick, White showed plenty of potential and was projected to be a transformative player at his position. He was traded to the Denver Nuggets for a package that included Don Reid. GRADE: C
Al Bello, Getty Images
2000: Mateen Cleaves, G, first round, No. 14 overall, Michigan State: After their national championship, Cleaves appeared to be an heir apparent at point guard, but never lived up to the hype in the NBA. After one season, he was traded to the Kings for Jon Barry and a draft pick. GRADE: D
2000: Mateen Cleaves, G, first round, No. 14 overall, Michigan State: After their national championship, Cleaves appeared to be an heir apparent at point guard, but never lived up to the hype in the NBA. After one season, he was traded to the Kings for Jon Barry and a draft pick. GRADE: D
Associated Press
1999: Melvin Levett, G, second round, No. 54 overall, Cincinnati: Another pick late in the second round that didn’t develop, Levett’s NBA career never got off the ground. GRADE: D
1999: Melvin Levett, G, second round, No. 54 overall, Cincinnati: Another pick late in the second round that didn’t develop, Levett’s NBA career never got off the ground. GRADE: D
Todd Warshaw, Getty Images
1998: Bonzi Wells, G, first round, No. 11 overall, Ball State: He never played for the Pistons and was traded to Portland seven months after being drafted. He had a decent NBA career with five teams over 10 seasons, averaging 12.1 points and 4.6 rebounds. GRADE: B
1998: Bonzi Wells, G, first round, No. 11 overall, Ball State: He never played for the Pistons and was traded to Portland seven months after being drafted. He had a decent NBA career with five teams over 10 seasons, averaging 12.1 points and 4.6 rebounds. GRADE: B
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1997: Scot Pollard, F, first round, No. 19 overall, Kansas: He had a small role with the Pistons and lasted less than two seasons before going to the Atlanta Hawks (with a first-round pick) in the Christian Laettner trade. GRADE: C
1997: Scot Pollard, F, first round, No. 19 overall, Kansas: He had a small role with the Pistons and lasted less than two seasons before going to the Atlanta Hawks (with a first-round pick) in the Christian Laettner trade. GRADE: C
Otto Greule Jr., Getty Images
1996: Jerome Williams, F, first round, No. 26 overall, Georgetown: His nickname was the “Junkyard Dog,” due to his tenacious effort on the court, and he spent four and a half seasons in Detroit before being traded to the Raptors. He parlayed his hustle into a nine-year NBA career. GRADE C-plus
1996: Jerome Williams, F, first round, No. 26 overall, Georgetown: His nickname was the “Junkyard Dog,” due to his tenacious effort on the court, and he spent four and a half seasons in Detroit before being traded to the Raptors. He parlayed his hustle into a nine-year NBA career. GRADE C-plus
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