Detroit Pistons fans can’t catch a break.
The team had the worst record in the league in 2021-22, winning only 17 games, yet that wasn’t enough for them to get the No. 1 pick.
Not only did they fail to secure the top selection in the upcoming NBA Draft, but they also fell to the No. 5 spot behind the San Antonio Spurs, Charlotte Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers, and Houston Rockets.
The Pistons had the worst record in the NBA, tied with the highest chance to get the No. 1 pick and fell to the 5th pick 😬
(h/t Here4Us/Reddit) pic.twitter.com/2GPZOvDezh
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 17, 2023
Needless to say, that prompted plenty of reactions and mockery on social media, with fans in disbelief at their tough luck.
They don't do much with their picks anyways.
— ⒷⓀ 🥷 (@CryptoB_K) May 17, 2023
They don’t deserve it
— Matt (@Matt_Rellihan) May 17, 2023
This is why the NFL should adopt the lottery system. Stop rewarding teams for tanking
— PICKETTSBURGH (@Pickettsburgh8) May 17, 2023
Gambling doesn't pay. Respect the PROCESS. 😁
— Jamal (@Gibbo_2010) May 17, 2023
The Pistons were tied for the best odds to get the first selection, so this was a rather shocking and huge drop-off.
They still have a solid set of young players in Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren, James Wiseman, and Killian Hayes, but adding Victor Wembanyama to that mix could’ve made them generationally great.
There will still be plenty of talented players available at No. 5, such as Jerace Walker, Ausar Thompson, Amer Thompson, or Taylor Hendricks, but none of them boast the same sky-high upside as Wembanyama or, say, Scoot Henderson.
It’s been a while since the Pistons were last competitive, and it might take them a little longer to straighten the ship.
Pistons fans will hope to have better luck in next year’s lottery unless Cade Cunningham is back to full strength and shockingly leads them to playoff contention.
NEXT: Odds Show Which Teams Have The Highest Chance To Draft Victor Wembanyama
