"If I drafted him in Detroit, I might still be coaching" - SVG admits mistake in taking Stanley Johnson over Devin Booker

Devin Booker was arguably the biggest steal in the 2015 NBA Draft. 12 teams passed on Booker before the Phoenix Suns took him 13th overall. One decade later, DBook is one of only two members of the Draft Class to make both the All-Star and All-NBA teams at least once, the other being No. 1 overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns.

It's safe to say that only the Minnesota Timberwolves, who picked Towns, did not regret passing on Booker. The 11 other teams surely did, including the Detroit Pistons, who picked 8th overall that year. Stan Van Gundy, who was both head coach and president of basketball operations for the Pistons that year, talked about that blunder recently on Zach Lowe's podcast.

"It always drives me crazy when people talk about Devin Booker. I have great respect for the guy. If I drafted him in Detroit, I might still be coaching. But I did not. So every time Devin Booker has a great game, I physically kick myself to make sure that I feel the pain," said Van Gundy.

SVG picked Johnson over Booker

Van Gundy has stated in previous interviews that he felt the Pistons had enough guards that year with Reggie Jackson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Brandon Jennings, and Jodie Meeks at his disposal. SVG said he felt the team needed depth behind Marcus Morris at the three spot, and so he was looking for a versatile two-way player in the draft.

That became Stanley Johnson, who ended up averaging a modest 8.1 points and 4.2 rebounds per game in his rookie year. On the other hand, Booker put up 13.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game while making the All-Rookie first team. DBook went on to become an All-Star and All-NBA player, while Johnson ended up playing three-plus seasons with the Pistons before he was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans.

"I passed on Devin Booker and Donovan Mitchell," he admitted. "And that's why I'm broadcasting now."

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He also passed on Mitchell two years later

But passing on D-Book, though hard to accept, was forgivable. He was not a starter at Kentucky, so many did not see his superstar potential. As proof, the Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, and Utah Jazz also passed on Booker, so it wasn’t just Detroit. However, two years later, Van Gundy made another Draft blunder. This time it was more unforgivable.

Detroit picked 12th overall in 2017 and went for Duke's sharp-shooting Luke Kennard. In doing so, he passed on Donovan Mitchell, who was picked at  No.13 or right after the Pistons selected Kennard. Like Devin two years ago, many so-called experts didn't think Donovan had superstar-level potential.

So did Stan, and that was another big mistake for him. Like Booker, Mitchell has become an All-Star and All-NBA player, now playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Kennard was traded to the L.A. Clippers after five years.

Van Gundy was never able to replicate his success with the Orlando Magic in Detroit. In four seasons, he posted a sub-.500 52-176 record and was fired in 2018 after missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. After missing out on drafting two potential franchise players, the Pistons hit the jackpot in 2021 when they drafted current superstar Cade Cunningham No.1 overall.

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This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Nov 28, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.