The Detroit Pistons had an opportunity to completely alter the course of the league in the 2003 NBA Draft. As per former NBA champion of the league, Chauncey Billups, if the Pistons drafted Carmelo Anthony the same year that would have collided with LeBron James’ career and would have further impacted the league as well.
According to Fadeaway World, he shared, "If we do get Melo, when was LeBron ever gonna take over? That was a hell of a rookie season. But now we"re in the same division, he gonna get raised right in the game. Bron is Bron and we all know he"s incredible but when was he ever gonna beat and be better than [us with Melo]? We all thought we were taking Melo."
James was the first pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by Cleveland Cavaliers and was impressively leading his career. Whereas the Pistons had the second overall pick. As per the report, with Anthony, Billups, Rasheed Wallace, Richard Hamilton, the Pistons would have been a contender squad for the 2004 title.
However, the Pistons went with Darko Milicic in the Draft and the move surprised many people including the squad, and the fans. Milicic was not the hotshot candidate the Pistons expected and his average was 1.4 points per game.
He played more than ninety games with the squad and then was later traded to the Orlando Magic in 2006. Carmelo Anthony was equalling LeBron’s Rookie of the Year title and the Pistons watched in vain what could have been their targeted prospect. Great heights could have been achieved with Anthony if he were to be with the Pistons.
It was also noted that the Pistons went ahead and personally told Anthony that they would pick him but somehow the decision was overturned and it is not yet known who was responsible for that change.
