Here's the thing, I don't disagree with anything you just said...but I'd still rather take my chances with the lottery pick. First off, it's a lottery, so there's always that possibility, no matter how slim, to get a top 3 pick. Plus if we make the playoffs we lose the pick altogether to the Bobcats as part of the Gordon/Maggete trade. And a team rebuilding like the Pistons can't afford to give away young, cheap talent, even if it is for capspace. Detroit ain't exactly a major free agent destination.
As far as your point about a non top 5 pick in a weak draft, that sounds real familiar. Monroe was the 7th pick in a "weak" draft, Drummond was the 9th pick in a "weak" draft. Lilliard was the 6th pick in that same draft. It's a given that some player who was initially rated really high will drop or some sleeper late pick will emerge as a real steal. Cardinal rule - NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE STUPIDITY OF NBA GM'S. Somebody's gonna reach for some bum and giftwrap an impact player to another team. I rather we be in there for it to possibly be us again. The benefits of that scenario are much greater than the benefits of being 8th seed fodder for the Heat.

Here's the thing, I don't disagree with anything you just said...but I'd still rather take my chances with the lottery pick. First off, it's a lottery, so there's always that possibility, no matter how slim, to get a top 3 pick. Plus if we make the playoffs we lose the pick altogether to the Bobcats as part of the Gordon/Maggete trade. And a team rebuilding like the Pistons can't afford to give away young, cheap talent, even if it is for capspace. Detroit ain't exactly a major free agent destination.
As far as your point about a non top 5 pick in a weak draft, that sounds real familiar. Monroe was the 7th pick in a "weak" draft, Drummond was the 9th pick in a "weak" draft. Lilliard was the 6th pick in that same draft. It's a given that some player who was initially rated really high will drop or some sleeper late pick will emerge as a real steal. Cardinal rule - NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE STUPIDITY OF NBA GM'S. Somebody's gonna reach for some bum and giftwrap an impact player to another team. I rather we be in there for it to possibly be us again. The benefits of that scenario are much greater than the benefits of being 8th seed fodder for the Heat.
Memphis' front office making smart moves.
They're smart for not dealing Rudy this year when they're a contender. And they knew damn well that Arthur >>> Speights and the guy from Cleveland will be find backing up Gasol. I'm watching this game from last night, and Wroten is balling... they moved out some money, but they already had suitable replacements on the roster already.