The Detroit Pistons are in the midst of a rebuild, and they have a lot of work to do. They will be starting a new era with their first game this upcoming season, and here is what I think their starting lineup might look like.
The pistons starting lineup is the start of the Cade Cunningham era. He will be replacing Brandon Jennings as the starter for the Pistons.
The Detroit Pistons are coming off a 20-52 season in which they finished worst in the Eastern Conference. The good news for Dwane Case and his teammates is that they now have the first overall selection in the draft: Cade Cunningham.
The Detroit Pistons are still a long way from contending for a playoff berth with their current roster, but they can finally look forward to the future. With the exception of 27-year-old Jerami Grant, the Pistons are one of the NBA’s youngest teams, with every player in the starting lineup being between the ages of 19 and 22.
For the Detroit Pistons, this will be a season of player development. While winning should always be the objective, given the roster this club currently possesses, they will most likely wind up in the draft lottery again in the near future to concentrate on rebuilding and contending.
Killian Hayes, point guard
Killian Hayes, a French point guard, is in his second season in the league. Because he was sidelined for a long amount of time due to a hip injury last season, many people may have forgotten about Killian. But it was also because he didn’t play up to expectations.
In 26 games, the number seven selection averaged 6.8 points, 5.3 assists, and 2.7 rebounds. Those figures aren’t very interesting… Killians’ game didn’t translate well from the international circuit to the NBA. Some foreigners, such as Luka and Porzingis, are able to make an instant impact, while others may need many seasons to get into the flow of things. Because the regulations and competition are so different, it’s basically a crapshoot what you’ll receive from international players.
Since he had a taste of the NBA level and now has had time to improve his game and come back to full health, this year may be a rebound year for Killian. He should start the season, but if things don’t go well with him and Cade, the Pistons will likely drop him from the starting lineup.
Cade Cunningham, Shooting Guard
via Getty
Cade Cunningham is the future of the Detroit Pistons. Despite the fact that number two choice Jalen Green believes differently, Cade has been the uncontested number one prospect entering the NBA. Jalen’s self-assurance is admirable, but Cade has the upper hand.
Cade Cunningham, for those who don’t know, is a versatile 6’8 point guard who can play both sides of the court. He is a score-first guard who also excels at creating opportunities for his teammates. He has a great basketball IQ and knows when to make the correct decision. Cade can also play several positions as a long defender with a 7-foot wingspan. He possesses good footwork and a sense of the game that is unusual in a 19-year-old.
Cade averaged 20.1 points per game, 6.2 rebounds per game, and 3.5 assists per game in his lone year in college. Luka Doncic, Grant Hill, and Jimmy Butler have all been compared to him.
Small steps ahead Saddiq Bey, Saddiq Bey, Saddiq Bey, Sadd
Saddiq Bey, a second-year player, is another player in the league. Last year, the Pistons selected him 19th overall.
He appeared in 70 games as a rookie, starting 53 of them. He was able to get some good reps in while also putting up some decent statistics. Bey averaged 12.2 points per game, 4.5 rebounds per game, and 1.4 assists per game.
Saddiq is a versatile player who can distribute the ball, defend, and make hustle plays. He isn’t too ambitious and plays smart basketball. Cade Cunningham and Saddiq Cunningham should get along swimmingly.
Jerami Grant is a force to be reckoned with.
Last season, Jerami Grant made an unexpected step forward, increasing his averages by a large margin. Julius Randle was the winner of the MIP award, although Jerami Grant was a strong contender. He moved from scoring 12 points per game in Denver to 22.3 points per game in Detroit. He’s just 27 years old, so he’s still in his prime.
Jerami Grant is a gifted athlete with a recently improved jump shot. Grant possesses a staggering standing reach of 8’11” and a wingspan of 7’3″. He has all of the physical attributes necessary for a power forward to succeed in the NBA. Most of his opponents are outmatched by his speed at this position. On defense, he is capable of guarding various spots and grabbing loose balls.
In his eight seasons in the NBA, Grant has been thrown about a little, but he seems to have found a home in Detroit. He signed a three-year, $60 million contract with the Pistons, with two years remaining on his contract. The Pistons would be wise to re-sign him if he continues to play at a high level.
Isaiah Stewart (center)
This season, the Pistons’ big man down low will be Isaiah Stewart. Another player who is just in his second season. Isaiah was selected 16th overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons.
Stewart appeared in 68 games as a rookie, starting 14 of them. He averaged 7.9 points per game, 6.7 rebounds per game, and 1.3 blocks per game. Isaiah is more of a defensive center, therefore he isn’t concerned with the offensive side. He’s even been compared to Ben Wallace, a former Piston great. He may be short in height at 6’8, but this enables him to make switches and defend various spots, which may harm other Centers’ value (Jokic, Gobert).
With the trade of Mason Plumlee, Isaiah Stewart will have a bigger role coming season. He just has to share minutes with Kelly Olynyk at the center position. Stewart should be a double-double shot-blocking monster with all these additional minutes.
Bench
Frank Jackson, Corey Joseph, Josh Jackson, Cassius Stanley, Hamidou Diallo, Isaiah Livers, Rodney Mcgruder, Chris Smith, Trey Lyles, Kelly Olynyk, Frank Jackson, Frank Jackson, Frank Jackson, Frank Jackson, Frank Jackson, Frank Jackson, Frank Jackson, Frank Jackson, Frank Jackson, Frank Jackson, Frank Jackson, Frank Jackson, Frank Jackson, Frank Jackson, Frank Jackson, Frank Jackson, Frank Jackson, Frank Jackson, Frank Jackson, Frank Jackson,
Kelly Olynyk, Trey Lyles, Josh Jackson, and Corey Joseph will get the bulk of the minutes coming off the bench. Because this is a rebuilding year, the other players may receive some playing time in blowouts or simply to get experience.
The Pistons chose to re-sign Corey Joseph to a $10 million contract after he had a good season last year. Josh Jackson’s career has been a roller coaster. He has not lived up to his expectations since entering the league, but he seems to have a decent shot as a sixth man in Detroit, with the possibility of moving into a starting position if Cade is moved to point guard. Trey Lyles is a newcomer to Detroit after spending time in San Antonio, and he is the Pistons’ sole backup power forward. Kelly Olynyk would be a good fit for the Pistons. The 7-footer is very talented and capable of putting up big numbers. He scored 19 points per game last season in Houston.
The Start Of A Promising Future
This is the year the Detroit Pistons officially begin their rebuilding process. While they are unlikely to win many games this season, it is the start of a promising future. The Pistons have a lengthy roster of young players with whom they can train and develop this season. With an average age of 21.6, this is the NBA’s youngest starting lineup.
Cade Cunningham, the number one selection, has the keys to this enterprise. I’m certain he’ll be given the keys to take over and lead this squad. He won’t have many veterans to learn from, but based on what I’ve seen him do in the summer league, he already seems to have the leadership gene. Cade will have the opportunity to put up huge statistics in his first season, which may lead to his being named Rookie of the Year.
Killian Hayes could be a much better player in his second season. He’ll most likely play shooting guard with Cade, so he won’t be under as much pressure to keep the ball in his hands. Killian had a disappointing debut season, but he is still just 20 years old and has lots of time to improve.
This squad will most likely use a combination of rushing and gunning in transition, as well as slowing the game down and running an offense. Jerami Grant is a terrific transition player who can also finish at the rim with his athleticism. Cade is a more methodical player who enjoys taking his time. He does, however, have the vision and playmaking ability to operate with any kind of play. Luka Doncic looks a lot like him.
Overall, although this Pistons squad will once again be a bottom-feeder in the Eastern Conference, allow these young players a couple seasons to gel and they should be back in contention for the playoffs.
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