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2017 NBA Draft: Zach Collins edges Donovan Mitchell for No. 11 spot on DBB Big Board

Your vote helps build the ultimate big board for the Detroit Pistons

By Sean Corp
West Virginia v Gonzaga Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

The 2017 NBA Draft is just seven days away and the Detroit Pistons have the No. 12 pick. In case the Pistons trade up, down, or stick at No. 12, the DBB Big Board is the fans’ opinion of who Detroit should select.

Remember, this isn’t just voting on players who you think will be available at No. 12, it’s voting on everyone starting at the very top.

I will list the top 10 players available based on the Draft Express Top 100 Prospects list.

We are on the cusp of hitting the Pistons’ No. 12 slot, with the No. 11 spot a clear two-man race between Zach Collins and Donovan Mitchell, with Collins winning out.

I’m particularly high on Collins, but of the several choices being bandied about at No. 12 there is a high level of disagreement on who the appropriate choice should be among Frank Ntilikina, Collins, Luke Kennard, Mitchell and Justin Jackson.

Here is what I write about Collins when I selected him in the SB Nation mock draft:

The Pistons are desperate for shooting and are looking for help on the wings. So I have them drafting … a center. Yes, the team just drafted big man Henry Ellenson last year, signed Andre Drummond to a massive extension, and have Jon Leuer, Boban Marjanovic and maybe even Aron Baynes set to return, But in today's NBA it is all about having versatile big men, and Zach Collins offers the holy trinity. He can rebound, protect the paint and guard in space on a switch, and he can score from the perimeter and finish at the rim. Watching Collins, I'm reminded of Cody Zeller in Charlotte (a secretly huge factor to their success) and also Antonio McDyess, who was a fan favorite in Detroit for years. Collins was not only perhaps the best rim protector in college basketball last year, but he also was pretty brilliant with his back to the basket, scoring more than 1.0 points per possession on post ups on both the left and right block. He also has a good looking jumper and hit 47 percent of his limited 3-point attempts. Whether he is an Andre Drummond replacement, his right-hand man or a super effective bench weapon remains to be seen. The Pistons must draft the best player available, and that makes this choice easy – Collins all the way.

Who do you think should be next on the Detroit Bad Boys Big Board?

DBB Big Board Results

  1. Markelle Fultz
  2. Josh Jackson
  3. De’Aaron Fox
  4. Lonzo Ball
  5. Malik Monk
  6. Jayson Tatum
  7. Dennis Smith
  8. Jonathan Isaac
  9. Frank Ntilikina
  10. Lauri Markkanen
  11. Zach Collins
  12. ???

Poll

Which player should be No. 12 on the Detroit Bad Boys 2017 NBA Draft Big Board?

This poll is closed

  • 51%
    Donovan Mitchell
    (117 votes)
  • 3%
    John Collins
    (8 votes)
  • 27%
    Luke Kennard
    (63 votes)
  • 5%
    OG Anunoby
    (12 votes)
  • 0%
    Ike Anigbogu
    (2 votes)
  • 5%
    Justin Jackson
    (12 votes)
  • 0%
    Jarrett Allen
    (2 votes)
  • 1%
    Isaiah Hartenstein
    (3 votes)
  • 2%
    Semi Ojeleye
    (5 votes)
  • 0%
    Anzejs Pasecniks
    (1 vote)
  • 0%
    Other (Name in comments)
    (2 votes)
227 votes total Vote Now

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