In one of the most surprising picks of the 2011 NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons selected Vernon Macklin with the 52nd overall (22nd of the 2nd round) pick. Vernon Macklin wasn't on the draft board of a whole lot of analysts, nor was he projected to even be drafted.
I think that his height will be an issue for him at the NBA level. At 6'9" he isn't even close to the prototypical size NBA teams like at the center position, so look for him to play another position. As with Chandler Parsons and the Houston Rockets, Vernon Macklin joins a team that is loaded with players at his position.
The Detroit Pistons boast Charlie Villanueva, Chris Wilcox, Ben Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, Jonas Jerebko, Kyle Singler and Austin Daye at either the power forward or center position. This creates a slightly different scenario for Macklin. I wouldn't rule out the possibility of him perfecting his craft in the D-League for a season or two.
Just a reminder that no second round pick constitutes a guaranteed contract, so if he plans on making the team, he is going to have to work for it. He does have some moves around the rim, but then again, so does almost every other player in the NBA outside of Dwight Howard.
For a look at things from the Pistons' perspective, check out SB Nation's Detroit Pistons blog Detroit Bad Boys. Talk about a fitting name for a blog.
Congratulations to Vernon Macklin and good luck in Detroit.