Groupthink 2023 Mock Draft: Pick #5

[Ed O]

(For the purposes of this exercise as we head to draft day, we assume no trades will be made/the draft order is set and we assume we're a fan of the selecting team.)

First four picks:

1. Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio)
2. Scoot Henderson (Charlotte)
3. Brandon Miller (Portland)
4. Amen Thompson (Houston)

Who do you think Detroit should take?

Tomorrow afternoon I'll set up another poll with the results factored in.

 

[Ed O]

I went with Cam Whitmore again... Detroit has a plethora of good young players without any obvious "key to the future" and/or specific holes in the roster, and I think Whitmore is BPA so he's the best player.

 

[tykendo]

He reminds a lot like Calvin Natt.

 

[BankTeller]

I like Ausar more as a prospect, but I think Whitmore has been the consensus to go #5. DET fans think he’s a better fit for their team.

 

[Whyachi]

Detroit needs a big that can shoot.
I'll go with Jarace Walker

 

[Predator]

I went with Cam here but I seriously think he might go #4.

 

[theprunetang]

I went with Cam here but I seriously think he might go #4.

Cam is my most "likely to bust" pick. Can't put my finger on. Just feel it.

 

[Graduate32]

Cam is my most "likely to bust" pick. Can't put my finger on. Just feel it.

Yeah, I'm getting a weird "bigger and more athletic Dion Waiters" vibe from Whitmore. I think he'll certainly put the ball in the bucket at the next level (how efficiently he does it remains to be seen), but his underwhelming defense and passing vision leave me wanting. I understand the appeal, and I wouldn't be shocked to be wrong, but he feels a bit like fool's gold when it comes consistently contributing to winning basketball.

 

[BankTeller]

Cam is my most "likely to bust" pick. Can't put my finger on. Just feel it.

Yeah, I'm getting a weird "bigger and more athletic Dion Waiters" vibe from Whitmore. I think he'll certainly put the ball in the bucket at the next level (how efficiently he does it remains to be seen), but his underwhelming defense and passing vision leave me wanting. I understand the appeal, and I wouldn't be shocked to be wrong, but he feels a bit like fool's gold when it comes consistently contributing to winning basketball.

I don’t think Cam is likely to bust. However, I do think Cam’s peak is a more athletic Miles Bridges. Not a bad player, just not special.