NBA Rumors: Pistons to Pursue Knicks' Mitchell Robinson If They Don't Draft Holmgren

The Detroit Pistons are looking to improve their center situation this summer, and it appears they have a backup plan in case they can't land coveted prospect.

The New York Knicks big man Mitchell Robinson is expected to be pursued by the Pistons if they miss out on Holmgren, according to the New York Post. The Pistons have the fifth pick in the draft.

In his freshman season at the school, he averaged 14.1 points, 9.9 rebound, 1.9 assists and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 60.7 percent from the floor and 39.0 percent from deep. He was a consensus All-American and was named the Freshman of the Year.

The Pistons will almost certainly miss out on the 20-year-old, who is expected to be selected within the first three picks of the draft and could go as high as first overall to the Magic.

The Athletic's Sam Vecenie and John Hollinger reported this week that the Magic are leaning toward drafting Holmgren first overall, so Detroit shifting focus to Robinson makes a lot of sense.

The Pistons were interested in trading for the second-round pick at the trade deadline in February, but a deal was never made because the Knicks wanted Stewart in return, Berman reported at the time.

Robinson, who is set to be an unrestricted free agent, has spent the first four seasons of his career in New York and impressed as the Knicks starting center during the 2021-22 campaign. He shot 76.1 percent from the floor and averaged 8.5 points, 8.6 rebound and 1.8 blocks per game.

Stewart started at center for the Pistons this season and would be a more athletic upgrade over the 24 year old. Stewart shot 51.0 percent from the floor and averaged 8.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.1 blocks per game.

The Pistons' first and second units would be hard to play against in the paint if both players were interchangeably used.

The Pistons are not sure what they will do with the 5th pick. There should be three available.