I’ve had a couple unexpected matters come up the last couple weeks, so instead of a full draft reaction post today, I’m giving myself a break this weekend. Last night, the Orlando Magic drafted Franz Wagner #8 overall, then the Detroit Pistons chose Isaiah Livers with the #42 pick. Chaundee Brown signed with the Los Angeles Lakers as an undrafted free agent and Mike Smith got a Summer League deal with reigning champion Milwaukee. Are you excited to see the Wagner brothers together in Orlando? Think the Pistons got a hometown steal in Livers? Comment with your thoughts and/or questions. I’ll be hopping into the discussion.
Love the Livers pick for Detroit. I don't know their roster well enough to say how he fits in, but I trust him to work hard and carve out a spot for himself. Michigan really knows how to find guys who have that hunger.
I'm not too worried about fit with Livers. If he can stay healthy and shoot like he did at Michigan, there's always going to be a roster spot available for someone his size who can hold his own on defense. Well-rounded wings are hard to come by. My Pistons fandom is being rekindled. (Admittedly, Cade Cunningham helps there.)
And we also have Luke Garza on the Pistons? Hated when Michigan played against him and his Defense leaves a lot to be desired, but it definitely raises by interest in the Pistons this year.
ESPN's Jonathan Givony: "I love that Orlando took advantage of Jalen Suggs' surprising slide, but in getting Franz Wagner, the Magic have two of the best defenders in this draft. Wagner can make teammates better without needing the ball or requiring plays to be called for him. ... With Wagner and Jonathan Isaac as the forwards, along with Suggs and Markelle Fultz in the backcourt, the Magic could have one of the better defensive units in the NBA."
Why do I always feel a little bad about Michigan players being drafted by Detroit teams
Love the Livers pick for Detroit. I don't know their roster well enough to say how he fits in, but I trust him to work hard and carve out a spot for himself. Michigan really knows how to find guys who have that hunger.
I'm not too worried about fit with Livers. If he can stay healthy and shoot like he did at Michigan, there's always going to be a roster spot available for someone his size who can hold his own on defense. Well-rounded wings are hard to come by. My Pistons fandom is being rekindled. (Admittedly, Cade Cunningham helps there.)
And we also have Luke Garza on the Pistons? Hated when Michigan played against him and his Defense leaves a lot to be desired, but it definitely raises by interest in the Pistons this year.
I'm least excited about him. Not sure he has the game to play in the NBA, but maybe he could be a 9th man that stretches the floor as a 5
I feel bad for Livers, I have no faith in the Pistons ability to run a team competently, no matter who else they drafted.
ESPN's Jonathan Givony: "I love that Orlando took advantage of Jalen Suggs' surprising slide, but in getting Franz Wagner, the Magic have two of the best defenders in this draft. Wagner can make teammates better without needing the ball or requiring plays to be called for him. ... With Wagner and Jonathan Isaac as the forwards, along with Suggs and Markelle Fultz in the backcourt, the Magic could have one of the better defensive units in the NBA."
Link: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31915713/2021-nba-draft-winners-losers-surprises-bold-predictions