Detroit Pistons Trade Deadline Preview

With the NBA’s trade deadline nearing, it’s time to assess the chances of players being traded, and the value that they hold. This article will have players listed in order of likelihood, as well as potential trade targets.

Likely on the move:

Wayne Ellington: It is highly unlikely that the 34 year old sharpshooter will be a member of the Pistons by March 25th, the NBA’s trade deadline. Ellington is Detroit’s oldest player, but offers strong value to a championship contending team, averaging 9.8 points per game while shooting 40% from beyond the arc. Teams such as the Lakers, Nets and Sixers would all like to add Ellington’s shooting off the bench, but he would be valued by any team looking to make a playoff run or just get into the post-season. While he does draw interest, it’s hard to believe that the Pistons could get anything more than a high second round pick due to his age and lack of defensive abilities, but it’s almost guaranteed that the Pistons will get at least that.

Delon Wright: With the emergence of Saben Lee, revival of Dennis Smith Jr, and return of Killian hayes looming, it’s hard to imagine that the 28 year old veteran is not on his way out. Delon Wright is having the second best season of his career, and has been an amazing “glue guy.” Philadelphia and Boston have been in constant contact with Detroit about Wright’s availability. The Nets and Clippers are also rumored to have strong interest in Delon. Wright has very enticing value, as he could net a better return than former Pistons guard Derrick Rose, due to his contract being longer and him still being in the prime of his career. An interesting trade idea for the Pistons would be Delon Wright for Mattise Thybulle and Terrance Ferguson, who are both extremely good defenders who haven’t been able to match that production offensively.

Svi Mykhailiuk: When the Pistons traded Reggie Bullock for Svi Mykhailiuk, the expectations for Svi were low. It’s safe to say he has exceeded those expectations pretty well. However, he is an upcoming free agent, and will be in play for most contending teams’ MLE (6-10 million). Mykhailiuk was not a Troy Weaver guy, and Weaver has only kept 2 young players from the previous regime. Svi has interesting value, as he could net a first round pick in the 19-27 range. The only downside to potentially trading Svi is that he is still only 23. With the Pistons signing Deividas Sirvydis to a 3 year deal, they need to see what the have in the draft pick from last off-season, and that’s not gonna happen with Mykhailiuk in Detroit.

Unlikely, but don’t rule it out:

Sekou Doumbouya: Now this is where things get interesting. Doumbouya is still the 18th youngest player in the NBA, but he is struggling heavily and some may even say that he has regressed since his rookie season. He has high value in a trade, as he could potentially net a first round pick on top of a more proven young player, or could be a key piece in getting another borderline all-star/all-star. The fact that he is still just 20 years old makes the idea of trading him that much less enticing.

Mason Plumlee: Plumlee is the least likely to be moved out of all the Pistons veterans. Plumlee’s contract includes a 10% trade kicker. Despite this, the Raptors and Nets have reportedly expressed interest in the Pistons big. Plumlee’s contractual stability on top of his consistent play lead to him having slightly above average value for a non-shooting center. Plumlee could likely net a player under the age 25 along with a second round pick depending on the team. The idea of trading him is enticing, but the lack of center depth on this roster make it unlikely.

Not getting traded:

Rodney Mcgruder, Dennis Smith Jr. and Josh Jackson: Mcgruder is being paid approximately 5.7 million dollars per year for this season and next season, but he brings veteran leadership and doesn’t carry much value in a trade. He is not unmovable, as he could probably help be a salary filler in a possible trade for an upper-level player. As for Jackson, he is on a relatively cheap deal, only 23, and has consistently put up 12+ points while coming off the bench. It doesn’t make much sense to move him, as just 3 years ago he was a top 5 pick and he has shown his potential. The same reasoning goes for Dennis Smith Jr. as the reward outweighs the risk of trading them.

Jerami Grant: Jerami Grant is on a very team-friendly deal. His contract makes him easily movable, but he has very high value and is only 26 years old, while playing like an all-star. I am told the Celtics, Trail Blazers, and Mavericks have all called and put offers on the table for the Pistons’ star, but Detroit has dismissed these offers and will not move him unless it is an offer so great it is impossible to decline. However, the idea of trading him is pretty interesting, as you could probably get 2 first round picks and a young player if a team gets desperate. Trading Grant is unlikely, at least at this years’ trade deadline.

Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart, Killian Hayes & Saben Lee: Troy Weaver is very high on the rookies and has labeled them as the ” core four.” Teams have called about the rookies but the Pistons have not listened or considered the offers on the table. These guys won’t be traded in any scenario.

Targets that the Pistons should be calling about:

Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie (8) looks to pass the ball against Detroit Pistons guard Langston Galloway (9) in the second quarter of their NBA game at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, on Saturday, January 25, 2020. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

Spencer Dinwiddie of the Brooklyn Nets has been linked with the Detroit Pistons as of late, the Pistons seem to be interested in the 27 year old guard. The belief is Dinwiddie would play alongside Killian Hayes in the starting lineup. Having two skilled playmakers with the ability to score would be obviously beneficial for Detroit.

Malik Monk of the Charlotte Hornets would be two younger players the Pistons could pursue. Monk provides scoring at the shooting guard position, which is the only position the Pistons don’t have a sure-fire piece of their future. Monk’s another player that the Pistons can take a flyer on, and is a free agent this summer much like Dennis Smith Jr.

Marvin Bagley‘s future in Sacramento is up in the air currently, and it is rumored the Kings are taking calls on the third year big man. His value, like Monk, is presumed to not be at it’s highest at the moment. Bagley has all the tools to be an elite big man in the NBA, however his production with the Kings has not been able to show this. Detroit could be a great landing spot for Bagley, and if Casey continues his incredible development system with Bagley, the Pistons could have one of the best centers in the Eastern Conference.

Moving Forward: What to Expect from the New Look Pistons

Blake Griffin smiles during his introductory press conference with the Piston on January 31, 2018 (via Detroit Free Press).

When the Pistons initially traded for star forward Blake Griffin they ushered in a win/ be competitive now type of mindset. Just over three years following the blockbuster trade, the Detroit Pistons and Blake Griffin have mutually agreed that he will be out of the lineup until he and the organization can work something out more beneficial for his future. With this action, the team has ushered in yet another era in the Motor City, the youth movement. By moving the franchise’s direction from a “win-now” to a “build for the future” track they have created plenty for fans to get excited about, but there will still be growing pains. Throughout this article I will not only explore what fans can get the most hyped for, but also what kinds of struggles to expect from a rebuilding Pistons team with a haul of young players.

Youth Excitement:

Pistons “Core 4” rookie class of 2020 featuring Killian Hayes, Isaiah Stewart, Saddiq Bey and Saben Lee (via NBA.com).

The 2020 NBA Offseason was a massive one for the Pistons organization and their direction was clear when it was all said and done. It started by snagging four rookies through the draft who have been pegged with the nickname of “Core 4” by the organization; their names are Saben Lee, Isaiah Stewart, Saddiq Bey and finally the Piston’s number seven overall selection Killian Hayes. This sets an incredibly strong foundation for a rebuild by bringing in so much youth, but the next big step for the Pistons came in free agency. Here they notably signed Jerami Grant, Josh Jackson, Mason Plumlee, Delon Wright, Jahlil Okafor and Wayne Ellington. Grant and Jackson are both still young players (26 and 24 respectably) and since joining the Pistons they’ve both performed strongly which bodes well for their futures within the organization. As for all of the other free agents who were signed by the Pistons, they will serve as guiding veterans for all of the young guys to help with their development moving forward. After recently acquiring G Dennis Smith Jr. from the Knicks in exchange for Derrick Rose, the Pistons now have 12 active players on the roster aged 26 or younger. This is one of the things that’s most exciting about this team because, out of the 12 guys aged 26 or younger, the odds are pretty high that at least two or three of those guys will serve very key roles as the rebuild progresses, and Jerami Grant has already shown he can be one of those players. Another thing that comes with a full youth movement is a lot of speed. For players that have been in the league a while, their legs have a good amount of miles and wear and tear on them. For rookies just entering the league or guys that haven’t been given much of an opportunity, their legs are fresh and ready to go. For the Pistons, since they have so many guys like players described in the previous sentence, this means getting out in transition and scrambling for the ball at all times is a regularity. Finally, because most of the Pistons players are either rookies or young guys that have been given up on, they all have something to prove. This equates to effort levels being at 110% on both ends because these guys are not only competing amongst themselves for minutes, but they’re also trying to prove they belong in the league. It’s a fun, hard nosed, persistent, ‘never give in’ brand of basketball that’s been created by Piston’s GM Troy Weaver, and it’s exactly what Pistons fans have been craving. By switching up the franchise’s direction and bringing in a haul of young and unproven players with a determination to never give in, the Motor City has definitely created some buzz, but there will still be plenty of painful moments moving forward.

Expected Struggles:

Pistons star forward Jerami Grant rising for a right-handed layup against the New York Knicks (via Detroit Bad Boys).

Whenever a franchise switches up its direction, it’s a pretty safe bet that the team will go through some growing pains. Losses are to be expected, but there are plenty of other things that need to be addressed for overly optimistic Pistons fans. With a haul of young players being on the roster, obviously there are things to be excited about. However, with a haul of young unproven players also comes a haul of inexperience and learning to come. Take a couple of guys like Josh Jackson and Dennis Smith Jr. for example. They’re still young and both have plenty of potential to be very solid players in the NBA, but the problem is that they’re both also still very raw. A good amount of that potential mentioned has yet to be tapped into and they’ve relied on their raw talents up to this point which is why you might see one of them have a great game one night, and then struggle to look like a basketball player the next. The consistency and polish just isn’t quite there yet for these guys, and the same can be said about all the rookies, so sloppy and inconsistent play should be foreseen for a while to come. So with the inexperience or lack thereof obviously comes a bit of sloppiness, that’s a given, but what’s a bit overlooked about experience is the aspect of leadership that comes with it. All of the players on the Pistons roster have never been the real number one option on an NBA team before, so none of them really know how to lead a group of NBA players. Having a group of veteran players on your roster like Delon Wright, Wayne Ellington and Mason Plumlee certainly helps in this category, but they serve more as locker room guys and mentors to young players than anything else. Blake was the leader for several years, including this year until he and the organization decided to have him sit out, because he had the most experience as a star on what was a high powered “Lob City” LA Clippers team. They had playoff experience and Blake was arguably the best player alongside Chris Paul during those years so he slid into a role of leadership seamlessly in Detroit. Now though that he’s no longer playing with the Pistons, it going to be natural for them to struggle in spots where teams would typically look to their leader. Situations such as tight late-game scenarios where you need a bucket, or a tough stretch of losing games where a team just needs a leader to guide them through it; these are spots that the Pistons will continue to struggle in for some time to come as well. Although having a lack of a leader is a problem for the Pistons, it is also a problem that tends to be solved naturally. As time moves on and the Pistons continue on through this rebuild, eventually somebody will emerge as the team leader naturally. Whether that be Jerami Grant, Killian Hayes or somebody still to come, someone will become a leader and it will be key to the overall team’s progression. So between not having a leader and most of the guys still being raw talent and potential, the Pistons have some problems. Although, these are not the worst problems to have because they will clear themselves up with time, added experience and continued play, overly eager Pistons fans just need to pump the brakes a bit and have some patience with the team as they progress.

Conclusion:

The Detroit Pistons organization as a whole has gone through some serious changes over the last several years. They’ve changed coaches, they’ve changed GMs, they’ve traded for a superstar and gone into a full rebuild. The team has come away from it all with a great group of young players with high ceilings for the future, but a great deal of learning and growing from the players must be done if they ever hope to reach those ceilings. We as fans have to be prepared for this process and can’t have too high of expectations, a rebuild like this takes time and we must understand that if we hope to stay sane. With that being said, since the team announced the news regarding Blake Griffin they’ve gone a six game stretch playing some pretty exciting basketball. Although they’ve only snagged one win over that stretch, four out of their five losses have been decided by 10 or less points and it sure is refreshing to see young guys getting extended playing time consistently. The Detroit Pistons organization has life again and there is real reason to be excited, we as fans just need to have some patience and give it time to come to fruition.

A Recap of the Pistons 2020 NBA Draft Night

Piston’s fans have been sitting around waiting for the NBA Draft for what seems like forever, and when the night finally came it felt like a massive boom or bust moment. With Troy Weaver now in town as the Pistons General Manager, he made sure that it was an incredibly seismic boom, literally gutting and flipping the team in a matter of days. For fans that wished for a rebuild, it is finally time to rejoice. For fans that want to remain competitive, this is truly our only route to get back to a competitive level. With that being said, let’s take a look at who will now be leading the Pistons for some years to come.

Pistons select Killian Hayes #7 Overall

Pistons #7 overall pick Killian Hayes as he dribbled across halfcourt playing overseas last season (via On Tap Sports Network).

This right here was the perfect move for the Pistons future. Killian Hayes is a 19 y/o, 6’5 ” point guard that is not only a crafty playmaker, but a very shifty shot creator and finisher around the rim. While he is very young and arguably not as developed as other players that were available, the Pistons and Troy Weaver are banking on his potential to be a star in the future. Hayes has already shown flashes of his potential though while playing in Germany; while he was there he netted a points per game average of 12 while also diming about 5.6 assists per game and added in 1.5 steals as well. Although these numbers certainly aren’t the most impressive, especially a 3P% of 29.5%, when you really hop into his film there are a ton of things to like. Killian Hayes is a phenomenal, and let’s put some emphasis on phenomenal, playmaker. He has incredible vision when he is passing, many analysts would even argue he is a better passer than Lamelo Ball, and he also has one of the highest basketball IQ’s in the draft. He knows how to get into the paint and finish through contact, often times resorting to his floater that reminds you of a Tony Parker or D’angelo Russell, and he is also very good at creating space for his own shot with a step back reminiscent of James Harden’s. He already has such a deep bag on offense and stays engaged on the defensive side as well, although the big question is, will he be able to improve on his efficiencies now that he’s in the NBA? He has very solid shot mechanics as a lefty and with a FT% of 88% along with a FG% of 48%, we can for now safely assume that all of his percentages will gradually rise as he gets more reps. Training under Derrick Rose will certainly help him in that regard and allow for him to become an even better passer while learning from one of the highest work ethic guards in the league. Not to mention that he is French and is already personal friends with Pistons Sekou Doumbouya, so having that existing chemistry will be great for their development. All in all, the Pistons haven’t drafted a point guard since Brandon Knight in 2011 and we have needed one badly for quite some time; to say the least, we definitely found our guy.

Pistons select Isaiah Stewart #16 Overall

Pistons #16 overall pick Isaiah Stewart flexing during a PAC-12 conference game for Washington (via Bleacher Report).

This was something that came together on draft night as the Pistons traded a highly protected future first round pick for Trevor Ariza and this 16 pick that turned into the PF/C out of Washington, Isaiah Stewart. Stewart is a classic “bully ball” center in the post and also has some stretch big elements to his game. At Washington he averaged 17 ppg, 9 rpg and also added 2 blocks per contest as well. Although he is a bit undersized at 6’9, he makes up for it with effort and is a clear hustle player. He’s a guy that will primarily work in the post looking to body up and dunk or shoot a post hook over any man defending him. He also has a bit of a face-up game in the post where he has the ability to knock down mid-range jumpers if given enough space. He shot 57% from the field and 25% from deep, although that was on very minimal attempts, so he is an efficient scorer. Look for his 3P% to increase in the NBA as he is given more reps from outside while working with Dwane Casey’s development team, not to mention his great looking shot and 78% FT%. Many fans thought this was a massive reach for Detroit, but in reality Stewart was a projected mid-late first round pick anyways and we needed to address our hole at the Center position. Stewart may not be THE big man we need moving forward, but he could certainly develop to become a key rotational big for the Pistons in the future.

Pistons select Saddiq Bey at #19 Overall

Pistons #19 overall pick Saddiq Bey waiting back for an ensuing defensive possession (via The Game Haus).

This had to be the move that literally nobody saw coming. Just about everyone knew that the Pistons were going to look to add more picks in this draft, and everyone including myself thought that was going to be 16. However, little did we know that Troy Weaver had yet another card up his sleeve as he sent Luke Kennard to the Clippers as a part of a three team deal with the Nets that included the 19 overall pick being sent to the Pistons. With that pick, the Pistons selected SF Saddiq Bey out of Villanova. To make it quite simple, there is a lot to like about this pick for Pistons fans. Bey is the literal prototype for 3 and D wings that are so sought after in today’s NBA. He is a lights-out shooter as he averaged 16 ppg on 47% from the field and 45% from 3, while also adding in 5 rebounds per game and about 1 steal as well. He has some great athleticism as he’s not afraid to get into the air and dunk on somebody and is also a great weapon in transition with his type of speed. The shooting and scoring is certainly there and the hope has to be that his defense will improve with his size (6’8) out on the wing. The Pistons honestly got very lucky with this pick as Bey was projected to go more in the 15 range or possibly even higher and he fell right into our laps. He has a very high ceiling and a very high floor as well, meaning he is a low-risk, high reward type player and could realistically be the best player for the Pistons out of the guys we selected. A possible scoring machine and star for the Pistons moving forward and at the worst he becomes a very serviceable wing player for years to come. This was a sensational pick and a massive high-note for the Pistons as they ended their first round.

Conclusion

So throughout all of the madness that occurred on draft night, between the guys we traded away leading up to the draft, the guys we actually selected and the cap space that the Pistons front office is continuing to add to, what have we learned? We have learned that Troy Weaver is the man for the job and this is his team, the Pistons are officially in a full blown rebuild and that we now have a true future to look forward to. Killian Hayes will be our point guard moving forward and he’s a potential superstar, Isaiah Stewart can be a key big man in the future and Saddiq Bey was a massive steal who can develop into a scoring machine on the wing while having a very high floor. The Pistons got a massive haul of talent in this draft and the youth movement is officially full steam ahead as the light at the end of the ‘Pistons purgatory tunnel’ is finally becoming visible. Troy Weaver inherited a team with no direction and he is now leading us in the right one; there is now hope and a lot to be excited about in the Motor City.

Pistons edge out the Warriors in Golden State 111-104

Pistons rookie small forward Sekou Doumbouya (45) posts up Warriors power forward Draymond Green (23) (via Detroit Bad Boys).

Tonight was the match-up of two teams whose seasons have been badly plagued by injuries. Going in to the game, the Pistons were missing key contributors such as Blake Griffin, Luke Kennard, Markieff Morris and still Reggie Jackson. On the flip side, the Warriors are missing Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Deangelo Russell, and Kevon Looney. The game was going to be won with energy; luckily, the Pistons brought that tonight.

For the entirety of the first quarter, both teams were very paced. Patience was key and both teams were exemplifying that. Neither were able to really distance themselves and although the pace did pick up in the second period, the Pistons only trailed by three at halftime. Although they had opened up their offense and they were getting good looks, the defense was suffering by playing up-tempo and the Pistons were allowing Golden State to do pretty much whatever they wanted on offense. Sekou Doumbouya was our leading scorer at the break with 11 points.

Coming out of halftime breaks this season, the Pistons have tended to go cold, which has been one of their biggest problems this season. However, lucky for them they came out in the third this game red hot. The ball movement was incredible, guys were making crisp passes and on top of that the team was playing great defense on the other end of the floor. Golden State started the third only 2/12 from the field, which resulted in Detroit being able to grasp a 77-68 lead with 4:41 remaining in the quarter. Despite this though, an Andre Drummond fifth personal foul and needing him to be subbed out of the game allowed the Warriors to go on a little run and cut the Pistons lead to just three heading into the final period, 83-80.

The Pistons kept their energy high in the final period though, continuing all of the great things they did in the third. With Draymond Green out of the game for Golden State, as he had been ejected late in the third while arguing a foul call (no shocker here), the Pistons were able to put together little runs here and there that were enough to grab a comfortable win over Golden State 111-104. The team played together and showed a clear desire to win this game, which is what they have to do every night if they want to continue winning games while under-manned. Pistons player of the game was rookie Sekou Doumbouya who in his second career start logged 16 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks, was a +19 in 38 minutes of action and snagged his second consecutive double-double.

The teams next contest comes in Los Angeles against the Lakers tonight, 01/05/2020, where they will need even more execution and energy if they want to come out with back-to-back wins.

Is ‘Beef Stew’ The Right Nickname for Isaiah Stewart?

On November 20th, 2020, Jamal Rucker (@jamalruc on Twitter) pitched the nickname “Beef Stew” for Isaiah Stewart to his friends in a Facebook group chat. The nickname quickly gained traction within the Pistons fan community. It was polarizing at first, but considering its frequent use by official Pistons social media teams and being listed on Isaiah Stewart’s Basketball Reference profile, it has become quite official. Many have questioned the nickname’s qualifications along the way, but I figure a quiet time like this is better than any to ask the important questions. Is Beef Stew the right nickname for Isaiah Stewart?

There are plenty of great nicknames throughout the NBA, Black Mamba, Dr. J, AK47, PG13, to name a few. Many can even transcend a player’s legal name, like Magic Johnson. To hang with other NBA greats, Beef Stew has to be perfect for Isaiah Stewart. 

Let’s start with what the perfect Isaiah Stewart nickname needs. First of all, Isaiah Stewart has an incredibly loyal fanbase in Detroit (Stew Crew stand up!) because of how well he embodies Detroit basketball. He plays harder than anyone on the court at all times. His high motor and intensity are two of his best traits. Next, he is a 6’8, 250lb chunk of thick and toned muscle. A perfect nickname must articulate these two things at the bare minimum. A great nickname must also have a connection to the player’s number, nationality, name, or something similar. He wears #28, which I would put on the ugly side of the number spectrum, so a jersey number-oriented nickname is not ideal. He is American, from Rochester, NY, and also has Jamaican heritage. I would not consider this essential, but there are bonus points available if a nickname can check that box. His name, Isaiah Stewart, has a ton of nickname potential. First of all, his first name alone grants a few options. His peers call him “Zay”, but there was another former Piston with that first name. Isiah Thomas is frequently referred to as “Zeke.” His last name provides the connection to Stew, whether that refers to the food or just a shorter iteration of Stewart. Now that we know what an Isaiah Stewart nickname must consist of and articulate, let’s visit some candidates. 

To begin, James Edwards III of The Athletic once suggested “Mr. Chimney.” Nope.

After that atrocity, let’s keep it simple. “Stew” has potential, but at the end of the day, it is just a shorter version of Stewart.

A clever one is “Zeke Freak,” which has layers. Zeke is short for Isaiah but also connects to Pistons great Isiah Thomas. Freak rhymes with Zeke, it perfectly articulates what is most important in his game, and it connects to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s nickname “Greek Freak.” This checks all boxes and leaves me with no complaints. 

“Oxtail Stew” also has a ton of potential. Stew connects to Stewart, and oxtail stew is a Jamaican dish that Isaiah Stewart’s father made for him consistently. The connections are there, but I’m not sure it has the ring that is needed to transcend Isaiah’s government name.

“Beef Stew” is the nickname that has been widely accepted, but is it perfect? It has Stew, short for Stewart. It connects to his thick frame. A typical serving of beef stew contains ~22g of protein. It is an incredibly hearty meal, and Isaiah Stewart is an incredibly hearty player and person. Unlike its sister nickname “Oxtail Stew,” it has a very nice ring to it, the kind of ring necessary to reach “Magic” Johnson levels.

“Beef Stew” and “Zeke Freak” have what it takes to become all-time great nicknames, but there can only be one. The only way to choose is a head-to-head match, whoever can win more categories mentioned previously wins. Let’s start with play style. “Beef Stew” makes me think of a big-body, physically dominant player, similar to Shaquille O’Neal’s “Diesel” nickname. I would consider that accurate, but not perfectly. “Zeke Freak” also leads me to believe the player is physically dominant, but it also suggests that the player plays with a high motor. Similar to Giannis’ “Greek Freak” nickname, I think of a physically superior player that plays with the intensity of a Tasmanian Devil from Space Jam. I will have to give this point to “Zeke Freak.” Next up is the body. “Beef Stew” does represent Isaiah Stewart’s 6’8, 250lb body well, but also suggests a 350lb Walmart wolverine named Chuck. “Zeke Freak” suggests to me that the player is athletic, but it doesn’t tell me enough. I think of Giannis but I also think of Russell Westbrook, so I have to give this point to “Beef Stew.” I will combine name, nationality, and number into one for the next category. “Beef Stew” has a very small connection to the Jamaican meal that Isaiah grew up on, oxtail stew, while also consisting of a short version of Stewart. “Zeke Freak” consists of a shortened version of Isaiah, in Zeke, but that is it. This category goes to “Beef Stew.”

With that, “Beef Stew” is crowned as the unequivocal perfect nickname for Isaiah Stewart. As Beef Stew blazes his way through his physically inferior opponents, watch as his nickname transcends all others as well as his own government name.

Cade Cunningham is just the Beginning for the Detroit Pistons

               You have heard it, I have heard it, hey, maybe you are the one we are all hearing it from. Should the Pistons trade the first pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and pass on the chance to draft Cade Cunningham.

               No, frankly there are NBA teams that could offer me their entire roster for the No. 1 pick, and I would still say no. If you cannot see that trading away the chance to have Cade Cunningham on your roster is a bad idea, then maybe there is no hope for you.

               So, this is not another article of someone mindlessly talking about other teams trying to fleece the Pistons for the No. 1 pick, we are just going to assume hell does not freeze over and hopefully Cade Cunningham will be a Detroit Piston come July 29^th.

               So, I am going to talk about everybody’s favorite basketball team, the Detroit Pistons, and why drafting Cunningham, will be the start for a Detroit team trying to usher in a new golden era of basketball.

               With the 2^nd pick in the 1981 NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons select, Isiah Thomas from Indiana University.

               Hey, look a Detroit basketball team selecting a franchise point guard with a top pick in the draft, seems like history repeats itself.

               No matter what your opinion on Thomas is, he is the greatest Piston of all-time, and is the main reason the Pistons won back-to-back titles in 1989 and 1990. But you see the Pistons did not become two-time NBA champions because they drafted Isiah Thomas, he just like Cade Cunningham was just the start.

               Because four years later, the Pistons happen to draft some guy named Joe Dumars with the 18^th pick in the 1985 NBA draft. A six-time all star and 1989 Finals MVP.

               How about this one? After signing Chauncey Billups to a six-year contract, the Pistons traded two-time all-star and franchise player Jerry Stackhouse to the Washington Wizards.

               Stackhouse, just like Billups needed the ball in his hands, and the fit was suspect with the two ball-dominant guards.

               So, like I said, Stackhouse to the Wizards, in comes Richard Hamilton, a player who does not need the ball in his hands and was the perfect off-guard to complement Billups.

               Hamilton makes three all star teams in Detroit, and the perfect combination of him and Billups went on to lead the Pistons to the 2004 NBA championship.

               So, let us see, a Detroit Pistons guard, once dubbed the future of the team, now is in limbo, because a better point guard is now making his way to Detroit. Do this sound familiar? Do the Pistons have two ball dominant guards (or will on July 29^th) that have a questionable fit together?

               Alright if you cannot put two-and-two together by now, the Pistons will eventually need to trade Killian Hayes. Hey, do not be mad at me, but its going to happen. I mean do you really want Hayes spotting up in the corner from three while Cade Cunningham is closing out games for the Pistons with the ball in his hands.

               But seriously, do you see the similarities. Drafting Isiah Thomas was huge for the Pistons, but they would have never won championships without Joe Dumars. No offense to the current Pistons roster, but nobody on this team is capable of being a six-time all-star, as well as making some All-NBA teams.

               And hey Killian Hayes is great, but guess what, he is a point guard and so is Cade Cunningham. At the end of the day, Cade is going to have the ball at the end of games, so you need an off-guard two, who can hit catch and shoot threes at an elite rate. Killian is great, but he is not that guy, and he needs to be a primary ball-handler for a team to be at his best.

               And for the Joe Dumars comparison, well yea, if you want to win an NBA championship, you need a second star. Guys like Saddiq Bey, Isiah Stewart, and Jerami Grant are good players, but All-NBA players, I do not think so.

               So, yea, this is just a reminder be patient. Cade Cunningham is not bringing a championship to Detroit by himself. I am glad you like the Pistons roster, and they can be a play-in team this year, but do we really want that.

               Let us say the Pistons are the 8^th seed, great they get bounced in the first round and must give their first-round pick to the Houston Rockets because its not in the lottery. Patience.

               To conclude, the easy part is out of the way. Any NBA team can win 20 games and luck out with the first pick in the draft. Now the hard part comes.

               Is Isiah Stewart the center of the future, or is he better off coming off the bench? Jerami Grant is a good player and all, but he is 27 years old and does not fit this teams’ timeline. What about Sekou, is he the power forward of the future, or do the Pistons need to find a player to fill that position? And to me, the biggest question mark, Killian Hayes. I am sorry, but eventually the Pistons will need to find a real two-guard to play off Cade Cunningham. And what about Dwayne Casey, is he really the coach to lead this team to a championship?

               Way more questions than answer right now? But that is ok. So, take a deep breath, try to keep your stress levels low until July 29^th, and when Cade is a Piston, we can finally enjoy the ride. But in my opinion, this is just the beginning for the Pistons, and many changes will need to come if the Pistons want to build a championship team around Cade.

Hey that is just my opinion, but I think we can all agree exciting times are ahead for our Detroit Pistons. See you all on July 29^th.

Detroit Pistons 2021 Draft Prospect: Jalen Johnson; F; Duke

With the NBA draft lottery tonight, and the draft just over a month away, it’s time to take a deeper look at some first round draft prospects. Currently holding the second best lottery odds in a stacked draft class, the Pistons have a shot of landing of a generational talent, someone who can be a superstar for years to come, possibly even the leader of a future championship team. The 2021 NBA Draft class is loaded, but it is noticeably top heavy, with a pretty large drop off after the top 4. The Pistons currently have a 52% chance of landing in the top 4, so it’s important to focus on some prospects outside of that range, in case we are cursed yet again, or even if GM Troy Weaver, who has shown to be full of surprises, does the unthinkable and trades back.

With that being said, let’s take a look together at the sole star of the recently struggling blue blood Duke, Jalen Johnson, formerly of IMG Academy.

Overview:

Johnson, formerly of IMG Academy was the leader and sole star of Duke, who saw their first season without qualifying for the tournament since 1995, long before Johnson was even alive. Johnson, a 19 year old freshman standing at 6’9, 220 lbs, averaged 11.2 points, 6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists for the Blue Devils.

Strengths:

Perhaps the biggest strength Johnson holds as a draft prospect is his frame and athleticism. At 6’9, 220 lbs with a 7’0 wingspan, Johnson fits the Troy Weaver mold. Complimenting his length is his tremendous athleticism. Johnson has the speed and agility to fly down the court, plus the size and strength to fight down low. His athleticism makes him a good and willing dunker. Weaver has shown to value both size and athleticism (as we see in Saben Lee, Jerami Grant, Hamidou Diallo, and Dennis Smith Jr.) so there’s no question about whether Johnson fits Weaver’s likes.

Johnson’s size and athleticism also makes him a great defender, one of the better in this draft class. He has solid versatility on the defensive end, with the ability to formidably defend 1-5. His size and energy allows him to clog passing lanes and come up with steals on the perimeter and block or contest shots down low.

Jalen Johnson doesn’t appear to be elite in any specific aspect offensively. What he has going for him is his competence in pretty much all areas of basketball. He is good but not great as a finisher and a passer. His vision and game sense is very good, he just often struggles to make the right pass and finish once he gets to the basket, much like how Killian Hayes struggled to score at the rim this year.

Weaknesses:

While Jalen Johnson doesn’t appear to have any glaring weaknesses, one area that he must improve at in order to be a star at the next level is his shooting. He did shoot 44% from 3, which looks great on paper, but on only 18 attempts. His successful driving ability led to him being left open from 3 a lot, and he often wouldn’t take the shot. A shooter without confidence can never be a good shooter. He also hit on only 62% of his free throws, which makes his shooting an even bigger concern.

Perhaps the biggest weakness holding Johnson back however, is his inconsistency. He shows flashes of being a good shooter, passer, finisher, and ball-handler, but going from 7 assists and 0 turnovers in one game against Pitt to 0 assists and 6 turnovers the next game against Louisville won’t cut it in the NBA.

The biggest knock on Johnson’s draftability however is the lack of information there really is on him. Johnson played only 13 games for Duke, averaging 21 minutes each. Most of his potential and attention is still carrying over from what he did in high school, much like guys like James Wiseman (who is currently not living up to his draft position). Alarmingly, Johnson also essentially quit on Duke before the end of the season. While opt-outs are not inherently bad, it was unpredictable and likely not necessary, which shows concern for his dedication. Whether this was a selfish move, or just a smart personal decision is up for debate and up to personal interpretation.

NBA Comparison:

A 6’9 point forward like Johnson with strong defensive attributes is bound to have a lot of NBA comparisons. His size, combined with his scoring ability makes him look like someone with a TJ Warren like potential on offense, with shades of Harrison Barnes and OG Anunoby. If we can get some strong combination of any of those players, who have all established their roles in the NBA, Johnson will be highly regarded. With his size and scoring ability, his ceiling could even be as high as Jayson Tatum with better defense, but his lack of any specific strengths could make him a Kevin Knox; but even if we get a Warren/Anunoby blend, I’d consider this a hit of a draft pick.

Outlook:

Jalen Johnson is an interesting draft prospect. It’s not often you see someone mocked in the top 10 when there isn’t one glaring strength or weakness in their game, especially with so little college/pro film to go off of. His inconsistency and questionable dedication, along with his high potential and great size and athleticism make him a very high-risk, high-reward pick. If the Pistons fall in the lottery tonight, I see no reason not to take a risk on him at 5th or 6th, if Troy Weaver and Dwane Casey believe they can get the most out of him.

2021 Pistons Draft Preview: James Bouknight

James Bouknight is a projected Lottery pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Bouknight led his team in scoring with a very solid 18.3 PPG on a good FG% (45.1%), and good RPG for a guard (6.2). Bouknight was able to lead a very underperforming uconn team without him to the NCAA Tournament, So i’m here to tell you why the Pistons should be interested in James Bouknight.

Pros and IMPROVEMENT areas in BoukNIGHT’s game

PRO: Shot Creation

James Bouknight is one the best shot creators in this year’s draft class, Bouknight shot an impressive 47% on off the dribble shots, also Bouknight Shot 35% off the dribble 3PT shots on 2.5 Attempts per game. Bouknight finished the year off with around 19 PPG on 45/30/79, which is pretty impressive despite Uconn’s spacing issues. As we have been seeing for the past couple of years now, there are more and more 3-level scorers dominating the game of basketball, players like Zach Lavine, Devin booker, and James Harden are some of the best Right now. Every team would want a 3-level scorer on their team and Bouknight fits that mold with his elite shot creation.

PRO: Athleticism

Connecticut’s James Bouknight, top, leaps over teammate Richard Springs to dunk the ball during UConn’s men’s and women’s basketball teams’ annual First Night celebration in Storrs, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

It is huge for an elite shot creator to be athletic and lucky for Bouknight he is that. Now his athleticism isn’t as good as a Jalen Green or Greg Brown who are some of the better athletes in this year’s class, yet Bouknight does hold his ground as he is a pretty good athlete. One stat that I found was pretty interesting, is that Bouknight shot 68% when attacking the rim, which puts him at the top 7 in his class at finishing at the rim. Bouknight also has a 6 foot 10 wingspan which helps him a lot when attacking the rim. Bouknight used his athleticism to the fullest this year and that is why scouts are very intrigued by his physical frame and skill set.

In Between : Shooting

Bouknight was a pretty positive Shooter for most of the year for UConn, while the 30% from 3 and that might make think he is not a good shooter, but that is not the case at all. In Bouknights freshman year he shot 35% from 3 which is pretty decent since other top shooters in this year’s class like Moses moody shot 36% from 3, so why did his 3PT% fall this year? Well, Bouknight was now moved up as the primary scorer for an awful Uconn team. Bouknight was putting up 24.3 on 51/36/82 before he got hurt. Also if you had watched Uconn you noticed how awful the spacing was. At times Bouknight had two guys on him and no one on UConn’s team decided to come and help him out. This was a big issue for Bouknight because as the primary scorer, teams started to double team him and for the most part, his team was nowhere to be seen to help him. This would result in either a turnover from Bouknight or him shooting an ill-advised shot which was one of the main reasons that he shot 30% from 3 this year.

Here is an example of his team not helping him on a double team

PRO: Rebounding

Strangely enough, one of the main pros in Bouknight’s game is that he is a very slept-on rebounder. Bouknight Finished this year with a total of 82 rebounds in 15 games. For a two-guard that is very impressive. This is what I was talking about when I said Bouknight uses his long frame so nicely.

IMPROVEMENT AREA: Playmaking

Bouknight isn’t a bad playmaker it’s just he doesn’t pass a much as you’d want him to. Now at times, he does pass, he shows that he can be a pretty good playmaker and his passing vision is a lot better than advertised. But he still needs to work on when to pass to his teammates and when not to. there were a lot of times this year where he missed an open man and took a tough pull-up instead. Now I don’t think Bouknight will ever be the primary playmaker because he doesn’t need to be, but I do think in the next level he will have at least be a good playmaker because once teams start to double him Bouknight has a hard time finding a good pass, but like I said his team wasn’t exactly good at helping bouk in a double team. So I do think with a good playmaking coach that Bouknight can fix this weakness and be a better playmaker in the Nba.

Bouknight has show some good playmaking flashes.

Some of his playmaking problems i was talking about

Improvement area: Defense

Bouknight has all the tools to be a great defender, he is tall, has a long wingspan and he is very athletic and quick. But it’s just a matter of how much effort Bouknight is going to put on the defensive end. Because he isn’t a bad defender he is just a lazy one. I’m gonna just say this, Bouknight is pretty much the number one source of Scoring on UConn without him they would be 4-6 so why are a lot of scouts trashing him for this? It’s hard to expect him to be the number one option on the offensive end and expect him to an elite defender and the same time. With all this being said I think with a good NBA coach, and some better offensive player on his team I think Bouknight can easily become a pretty good defender in the NBA because when he did care he showed some flashes this year.

Some of his poor defense

Some of his Defensive flashes.

Potential Fit in Detroit

James Bouknight will most likely come in as a second scoring option behind Jerami Grant and I think the pistons need a scoring Punch in the two-guard spot. If the pistons do not land a top 5 pick then I think Bouknight should be the two guard that they should be targeting. I think he will fit very nicely into their rebuild.

Overall:

James Bouknight is one of the best scorers in the class and just players in the class, this is a guy that has a ton of upside and I think he will project as at least a solid scoring option in any NBA team. While James Bouknight isn’t an 18 or 19-year-old freshman he makes up for it with his talented skill set and winning mindset. If the pistons somehow fall to the number 6 spot then James Bouknight is 100% the guy we should go after, or if we get pick number 1,2, or 3 and we draft either Cade or Mobley then I also think we should try and get Bouknight as well.

Range on draft day: 6-20

Player Comp: A more athletic Jordan Clarkson with shades of Zach Lavine.

2021 Pistons Draft Preview: Evan Mobley

As the top projected PF/C pick in 2021 NBA Draft, Evan Mobley sure has a lot to live up to. He lead the PAC-12 in total points (540), FG% (57.8%), and in RPG (8.7) and BPG (2.8). He did all of this through 33.9 minutes per game with the highest efficiency in the PAC-12, clocking in at a PER of 29.1, a trend he hopes will continue into his future in the NBA.

Pros and Cons of Mobley’s game

PRO: Rim Protection

Image courtesy of theundefeated.com

Mobley averaged an impressive 2.8 BPG, leading the PAC-12. He has incredible length, at 7-feet tall with a 7-foot 4-inch wingspan, which allows him to be a consistent presence in the paint at the defensive end. This, combined with his ability to stay in front of guards and move his feet could drastically improve any NBA team on the defensive end.

PRO: Effectiveness Around the Basket

Image courtesy of latimes.com

Overall, Mobley shot a solid 57.8% from the field in the 2020-21 season, but more impressively shot 61.5% from inside the 3-PT line. A significant portion of these shots were layups, dunks, or post moves near the rim, where he is extremely effective and difficult to guard.

PRO: Avoidance of Foul Trouble

Mobley rarely finds himself in foul trouble, meaning he almost never needs to be benched early, which helps him play the league’s (PAC-12) 6th-best 33.9 minutes per game. He never fouled out during his one season at USC.

CON: Limited Range

Image courtesy of latimes.com

Mobley is already extremely well-versed offensively, his 3-point shot could use some work. He shot 30% from 3 on only 1.2 attempts per game. With the NBA’s deeper 3-point line, Mobley will have to spend significant time working on his shot in order for him to be a respectable deep threat in the NBA. While it isn’t essential that he adds this to his game, his effectiveness could skyrocket following improvement.

CON: Free Throw Shooting

Similar to his 3-point shooting, Mobley struggles from the charity stripe, shooting only 69.4%. While this figure is by no means terrible, teams would hope to see him get closer to the 75% mark, especially considering his high volume of free throws (5.8 per game).

CON: Needs to get Stronger

Image Courtesy of KingJamesGospel.com

While his 210 pound figure held its own in college, Mobley should look to gain some muscle if he wants to bang in the post in the future. The NBA is a far different league, and considering Mobleys love for low-post shots, adding some weight could be extremely helpful.

Potential Fit in Detroit

Image Courtesy of Detroit Pistons

Evan Mobley would fit in well with Detroit’s up-and-coming young core. Aside from All-Rookie hopeful Isaiah Stewart, the Pistons have a limited idea of what their future looks like in the “big-man” department. Mobley would almost certainly become a starter within his first two years, and would quickly become a focal point of Detroit’s young core. He would be a tremendous young addition to an already young Pistons team that includes 2020-21 rookies Saddiq Bey, Killian Hayes, Isaiah Stewart, and Saben Lee, in addition to 2019-20 15th overall pick Sekou Doumbouya, who is only 20 years old.

Pistons Week in Review: Saddiq Bey awarded Eastern Conference Player of the Week

The last Pistons player to win Player of the Week was Andre Drummond in April of 2019, and nearly two years later, the award has finally come back to Detroit. Following an exciting week for Detroit fans, Saddiq Bey became the first rookie to win a Player of the Week award since Karl-Anthony Towns in April of 2016. Let’s take a look at what transpired this week in Detroit.

On February 6th, the Pistons suffered a 2OT loss to the LA Lakers that extended their losing streak to four. This meant that they had now only won two of their last 10 games, with an overall record of 5-18. On the 9th, following a few days off, the Pistons now faced one of the NBA’s most star-studded teams in the Brooklyn Nets, although it is worth noting that Kevin Durant was not active for this game. The Pistons took advantage of the Nets’ lack of a defensive presence, and Jerami Grant matched his career high, (which he set during the previous game, against the Lakers) scoring 32 points in a 122-111 win. Although Saddiq came off the bench in this contest, he played extremely well, scoring 15 points in 21 minutes, shooting a perfect 6/6 from the field and 3/3 from 3PT land.

Image Courtesy of @detroitpistons Instagram

The Pistons’ next opponent was the Indiana Pacers, who were coming off of a 4-game losing streak. This would prove to be a strange game for Detroit, as they would begin to integrate newly-acquired Dennis Smith Jr. (traded to Detroit on 2/8) into the lineup. Detroit struggled on offense, and didn’t really have an answer for Domantas Sabonis, who finished with 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists. This contest would likely be considered Bey’s “worst” performance of the four games they played that week, as he only scored 10 points in 17 minutes, shooting 3/6 (50%) from the field and 2/5 (40%) from 3PT. On a more positive note, Isaiah Stewart posted a career high in points, scoring 17 points in his first career start, in place of the injured Mason Plumlee. The Pistons lost 111-95.

Image Courtesy of @detroitpistons Instagram

The Pistons then traveled to Boston to play the Celtics, one of the only teams that Detroit had already beaten this year. Looking for a bounce-back win, they would have to take down Boston’s young duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, both probable All-Stars. The Celtics were missing both Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart, and Mason Plumlee and Sekou Doumbouya were out for Detroit. In what seemed like an unlikely win for Detroit, Saddiq Bey dominated. In 27 minutes off the bench, he scored 30 points and tallied 12 rebounds. These numbers are even more impressive when you look at the shooting percentages attached to this performance, in which he shot 10/12 (83.3%) from the field and 7/7 (100%) from 3PT. Not only were his percentages good, he was extremely clutch, hitting a huge 3-pointer with 38 seconds left to put the Pistons up six. They would go on to win the game 108-102.

Pistons rookie Saddiq Bey was automatic tonight

💧 30 PTS
💧 12 REB
💧 10-12 FG
💧 7-7 3 PT pic.twitter.com/A0C8fiEBV5

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 13, 2021

Detroit would wrap up the week back at home on Sunday, playing against the New Orleans Pelicans, who featured 2019 #1 overall pick Zion Williamson and 2020 first-time All-Star Brandon Ingram. With Blake Griffin being held out of this game, Bey slipped into the starting lineup. While his numbers in this contest weren’t anything too crazy, it was a great team effort, with six Pistons scoring in double figures, and an unlikely triple double from Plumlee. In 38 minutes, Bey tallied 16 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals on 6/11 (54.5%) from the field and 4/8 (50%) from 3PT, as the Pistons would go on to win 123-112, finishing the week 3-1.

On the week, Saddiq Bey averaged 17.8 PPG and 5.5 RPG while shooting a scorching 69.9% from 3PT. Pistons fans should be excited to continue to watch Bey learn and develop throughout the rest of this season.

⭐️ Your Eastern Conference Player of the Week! ⭐️ #DetroitUp
🔥17.8 PPG 🔥5.5 RPG 🔥69.9 3FG%
Congratulations, @_Beyyy15 x #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/LCgkaqyjU2

— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) February 15, 2021

Why did the Blake Griffin Experience Fail?

BOSTON, MA – FEBRUARY 13: Blake Griffin #23 and Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons look on before the game against the Boston Celtics on February 13, 2019 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

With Pistons’ general manager, Troy Weaver, telling Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, “ After extensive conversation with Blake’s representatives, it has been determined that we will begin working to facilitate a resolution regarding his future with the team that maximizes the interests of both parties, we respect all the effort Blake has put forth in Detroit and his career and will work to achieve a positive outcome for all involved.” It’s now time to look back on why the Pistons couldn’t be better than an 8 seed with Griffin. In his first full season in Detroit, he had his best season of his career. Playing 70+ games, which he hadn’t done since 2013, what could go wrong?!

Injuries, obviously

In his first 20 games in Detroit, the often injured Griffin, got a bone bruise and the faint playoff hopes in Detroit had come to an end. However, in the All Star forward’s first full year, he played at a stellar level, even garnering some MVP chat. He had recorded a new career high and went to Staples Center and had one of his best games ever, against his former team, the Clippers. He was leading Detroit on a playoff push that could have potentially garnered the 6th seed in the east. However, Griffin’s knees had a different idea in mind. Blake suffered a torn meniscus as well as a contusion on his knee. These injuries were so bad that Griffin had to miss the first game of Detroit’s playoff serious with Milwaukee. He ultimately played through it, but to no reward. The next season, Blake only played 20 games looking like a shell of himself and then got arthroscopic surgery to fully repair his knees. This season, however, injuries and missing games itself has not been an issue, but Griffin looked checked out and more like a 42 year old Vince Carter than a 31 year old power forward just 2 years removed from being all-NBA. He has not dunked since December of 2019, and is shooting 30/35/65 which is far below league average.

Failure to build a proper team around Blake

Look at who is surrounding Blake in this picture. Only 2 of these players are still in the NBA. That’s flat- out inexcusable when you are attempting to build around your second superstar in team history. Detroit started James Ennis, Glenn Robinson, and Reggie Bullock as it’s wings throughout Griffin’s tenure as a Piston. These players are at most decent role players on a good team and it’s shocking to think that Blake carried them to any sort of competitiveness. Kemba Walker, Jrue Holiday and many other top tier guards were available and the Pistons never even made a formal offer. In free agency, the Pistons chose Zaza Pachulia over Dwight Howard, DeMarcus Cousins, Kyle O’Quinn, Javale Mcgee, and Brook Lopez. They chose 37 year old Jose Calderon as their 3rd PG over Dwight Buycks and Kay Felder, who both showed promise in Detroit. They refused to trade for Mike Conley because they did not want to include Luke Kennard. They traded Stanley Johnson for Thon Maker, which was at best a lateral move.

Griffin’s legacy in Detroit

Some may argue that Blake Griffin’s time in Detroit was not a failure, but actually a success. After all, he had the best season of his career, finished top 10 in MVP voting, expanded his basketball skills to be less reliant on his explosiveness, and was an All-Star and All-NBA player. The Pistons finally had a player who could score less than 40 points and could be their franchise piece. They got their second highest win total of the decade, they made their second playoff appearance since 2009. Griffin carried the pistons to their first real taste of relevance since the Chauncey Billups trade. He put his body on the line for Detroit and that is something not many players have done.

A Look Into The Pistons Most Promising Rookie, Saddiq Bey

Image Courtesy of yahoo.com

While the loss of Killian Hayes for the foreseeable future is unfortunate, another rookie has begun to show some major potential, Saddiq Bey. Detroit chose Bey with the 19th pick of the 2020 NBA Draft, a pick that was acquired through a three-team draft-night trade with the Clippers and Nets. This trade sent 2017 1st-round pick Luke Kennard to LA, Landry Shamet to Brooklyn, with Rodney McGruder and the 19th pick getting sent to Detroit. Kennard was well-liked by the Pistons community, but many would agree it was time to move on, especially considering the new changes to Detroit’s front office, which included the hiring of GM Troy Weaver. In an extremely active offseason, the Pistons came away with only four of the players from the 2019-20 season (Derrick Rose, Blake Griffin, Svi Mykhailiuk, and Sekou Doumbouya), which would indicate a full rebuild. 

Detroit’s new GM: Troy Weaver (Image Courtesy of freep.com)

With a roster full of wings, many expected limited playing time for the 21-year old, at least at the beginning of the season. That being said, his performance and confidence have allowed him to earn more minutes and he has definitely taken advantage of that. Through 12 games, Bey is averaging 9.2 points and 3.8 rebounds in 20.3 minutes per game. While there is nothing crazy about his statline, his shooting ability looks very promising. He is shooting 41.9% from three on 5.2 shots per game, which is the 6th best 3PT% among rookies, although none of the rookies above him are taking 5 or more 3-pointers per game. It is worth noting that his FG% on the year is only 36.7%, but this should rise as he adjusts more to the NBA and finds better shots for himself. 

Rookie Saddiq Bey with rising star Jerami Grant (Image Courtesy of usatoday.com)

While many expected Killian Hayes to be the Pistons rookie who could compete for Rookie of the Year, his injury tanked his odds, and he is no longer on this list. Bey’s recent performance has helped his own odds, and as of January 19th, he has the 9th best odds to win rookie of the year, according to vegasinsider.com, and has quickly become a fan favorite, as some believe he could develop into a solid 3-and-D player in the Pistons rotation.