That squad should be at minimum the 8th seed.
Even at the underwhelming pace they are at currently they probably won't see a top 5 pick in a weak draft....so what's the point?
Why not start building the chemistry with Monroe & Drummond?
Pistons should have won that game.
Dre should be out there to close games.
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.