On the 2015 NBA draft, the Detroit Pistons had a choice to make with the No. 8 decide and narrowed their choices to Stanley Johnson and Devin Booker. The Pistons chosen Kentavious Caldwell-Pope at No. 8 within the 2013 draft and was perceived as having extra positional overlap with Booker than Johnson. Johnson’s energy and profile projected him as being extra of a small ahead who might additionally play energy ahead in some lineup configurations.
“This is among the issues I discovered afterwards, however I really consider is true,” stated Zach Lowe this week. “And is not only spin. As a result of it is really extra embarrassing for them. It was Stanley Johnson or Devin Booker. [That] was their draft room debate. They usually selected Stanley Johnson.”
Booker grew up within the Detroit space and was a fan of the Pistons throughout his childhood. Booker was on document forward of the draft saying he hoped to be chosen by the Pistons.
From Perry A. Farrell of the Detroit Free Press:
“‘Rising up watching the group and simply loving the dynasty that that they had right here and being part of it,’ he stated, ‘I believe I perceive the which means of getting Detroit Pistons throughout my chest.’ Booker’s dream of turning into a Piston may very well be an issue, nonetheless, as a result of the group already has Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jodie Meeks at taking pictures guard. At 6-feet-6, would he be versatile sufficient to play small ahead? ‘I believe I’m,’ he stated. ‘I am nonetheless rising into my physique. I am engaged on it. I noticed a statistic the place the final 5 NBA champions led the NBA in three-point taking pictures, and that is what I do.’ Booker hit 58 threes in his solely season at Kentucky and, throughout one stretch, made 20 of 28. He averaged 10 factors, 2.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists in his brief stick with the Wildcats. Scouts examine his sport to Klay Thompson of the NBA champion Golden State Warriors. He admits that Thompson is a participant he watches. Rising up, it was Richard Hamilton. ‘I watched numerous Rip; it is loopy now, as a result of I actually wasn’t a shooter again then,’ he stated. ‘I used to be simply one of many larger children. I cherished the best way Rip performed. Massive Shot (Chauncey) Billups and Tayshaun’s (Prince) block. I bear in mind the whole lot.'”
Booker fell to the Phoenix Suns at No. 13 and he’s a a number of All-NBA choice and helped lead the franchise to The Finals in 2021.
