Detroit Pistons show interest in outstanding player from Akron ahead of NBA Draft

Next month, the Detroit Pistons could leave the 2024 NBA Draft with a few new players. They currently have two picks, one in each round.

While all eyes will be on Detroit's fifth overall pick, the late second-round pick could be a more under-the-radar selection that could be crucial to the team's development efforts.

It was recently reported that the Pistons have taken a closer look at former Akron star Enrique Freeman, the 6-foot-4 forward who entered the 2024 NBA Draft after his fifth season in the NCAA.

Accordingly Deseret News' Sarah Todd, Freeman has attracted interest from several teams besides the Pistons now that the NBA Draft Combine is officially over.

“Before the combine, many would have predicted Freeman would go undrafted,” Todd wrote this week. “By the end of the first few days of the combine, he was considered a late second-round pick. Now, some executives are wondering if he will be available if they select earlier in the second round.”

According to Todd's report, Freeman met with several teams, including the Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Toronto Raptors, Golden State Warriors and the Utah Jazz.

The list of applicants showing interest in the 23-year-old Ohio native is quite long.

Since Freeman's first stint in Akron, he has improved his performance every year. Last season, he started all 35 games he appeared in. Averaging 19 points on 58 percent shooting from the field, Freeman had his most productive season in college in the 2023-2024 season.

The experienced freshman also set a career-high with 13 rebounds per game, leading the NCAA's Division I rebounds last year.

It's obvious that the Pistons could target multiple forwards in the draft this season. Even if they take one as high as the fifth pick overall, Freeman could be a solid second-round project. Given the Akron product's recent surge in value, Detroit would likely have to trade higher to get him.