Detroit Pistons | Last Season: 25-41 (10th in Eastern Conference) | Draft Picks: 9, 39, 44

Season Summary:  The Pistons seem to be stuck in basketball purgatory.  They have a lot of long term contracts out to players that really do not need them.  That means the team is filled with simply average players and too many guys that play the same spot.  That is a recipe for a bad team and every Pistons fan can attest to that.  They had a completely forgettable season, which is the norm for the last couple of years.

Draft Needs:  The Pistons need size to complement Greg Monroe in the post.  That is about as cut and dry as you can get.  More size in the post is going to be what they go after with John Henson and Myers Leonard on their radar.  If the Pistons do not take size, it proves Joe Dumars has lost his marbles.

#9 Pick: Andre Drummond | SF | Connecticut 

Andre Drummond can block shots and rebound.  Andre Drummond cannot shoot free throws.  He’s horrendous from the charity strip and needs to improve his offensive game in the post.  He’s long and athletic, certainly and commodity for NBA teams, however he didn’t prove to be a reliable big man for the Huskies in terms of consistent scorer.   That being said, he still managed to land a spot on the Big East’s all-rookie team.

Grade: B-

2012-2013 Outlook:  The Pistons are not going to make the playoffs next season.  They need to get rid of all the dead weight on the roster before they can be a serious threat.  At least a brand new young front court should be fun to watch for the Pistons.

Check out all of Rant Sports 2012 NBA Draft Grades from the 1st Round.