The Detroit Pistons are in a full-fledged rebuild. After a few years of trying to stay relevant in the Eastern Conference, the team announced that they will be rebuilding in the 2020-2021 season. By doing so they drafted multiple projects of prospects, bought out the Blake Griffin situation, and brought in players trying to prove themselves. In the 2020 draft, the team drafted players that would not have made an immediate impact on the team. The goal was to draft players that needed a ton of NBA minutes and training before they became relevant in the league. Players such as Killian Hayes, Isaiah Stewart, and Saddiq Bey were all selected by the Pistons in hopes of a long-term solution.
Griffin was finally bought out from the organization, as the team could not find a trade partner after a season and a half of negotiations. Griffin would later sign with the Brooklyn Nets, as he is chasing a chance to win an NBA title. Before the buyout of Griffin, the team signed Jerami Grant and Mason Plumlee to replace him. Both players are trying to prove that they are starters and all-star caliber players in the league.
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Team Performance
Detroit finally admitted to a rebuild, and with that came little expectations to their franchise. The goal was to be amongst the worst teams in the NBA. They succeeded in such goals, as they were the worst team in their respected conference. Only the second-worst team behind the Houston Rockets. Detroit succeeded in its rebuild, as the team will have a top-five pick locked in during the 2021 NBA draft.
With a record of 20-52 and a multitude of young talent, the Pistons are looking like a very promising franchise in the coming years. The rookies’ progression grew better than anyone before the season could have predicted. The veterans who were looking to prove themselves doubled their production and value during this season as well.
Team Award Winners
MVP – Jerami Grant
Grant came to Detroit looking for a chance to be the No. 1 option for a franchise. He took this opportunity and ran away with it. Grant not only performed as a No. 1 option for a franchise but he was considered an all-star. The forward averaged 22.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game, Grant was snubbed for an all-star appearance.
The 27-year-old forward proved doubters wrong in Denver and Oklahoma City that he could be the leading contributor to a team. The only knock to Grant’s performance and the reason why he was not an all-star or won’t be named to an All-NBA team is that his team was really bad. Although that may have some people still doubt the wing, Grant had been very efficient in his game and very dominant on the court.
Defensive Player of the Year – Isaiah Stewart
Stewart locked down the paint against opposing teams. The rookie came into the league dominating the defensive rebounds, as he averaged 6.7 rebounds per game in 21 minutes. The center is always contesting shots in the post, and forces opposing teams to force shots. An incredible attribute to have as a rookie, and the main reason why Stewart is receiving more minutes than others on the roster. Stewart’s dominance on the boards also contributes to his minutes. Stewart is a gritty rebounder who can easily box out bigger and stronger opponents. This ability helps the center not only rebound but contributes to defending out any opportunity for second-chance points.
Sixth Man of the Year – Josh Jackson
On the fringe of being out of the league, Jackson found a great role for Detroit. During a rebuild, Detroit gave the former fourth overall pick a chance to play off the bench. Jackson took that opportunity and showed great success. Averaging 13.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, which correlated to him having a career year. The way Jackson played has earned him another contract for this offseason, as the team should re-sign the forward. Staying as the sixth man in Detroit would revitalize his career, and will help his development as a player.
Biggest Surprise – Mason Plumlee
During the offseason, the Pistons signed Plumlee to a three-year contract worth $24.6 million. After a disappointing season in Denver, the center took the open spot as the starting center in Detroit and performed exponentially. Going into the season everyone predicted Plumlee to be replaced by one of the rookies halfway through. However, after a season where he averaged 10.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, Plumlee locked down the starting job.
Plumlee had multiple games where he dominated and flirted with the triple-double stat line. There were two games where he got a triple-double and in 16 games he had a double-double. The center showcased an improvement as a low post scorer, as he became more efficient. Even with limited post-moves in his game, the center was able to torch the post in multiple games. What was the biggest shock to Plumlee’s career year was his new ability to play make. A career-high in assists, Plumlee showcased incredible post passing. Having multiple games of high assists and becoming a smaller version of Nikola Jokic.
Biggest Disappointment – Killian Hayes
It is unfair to call Hayes a disappointment as the rookie only played in 26 games, as he missed the majority of the season with injuries. Although in his 26 games this season he only averaged 6.8 points per game on horrendous shooting splits. The rookie shot 35 percent from the field and 27 percent from three on the season. These stat lines did not come from little playing time either. Hayes started the season as the starting point guard over Derrick Rose who at the time was on the roster. Hayes was very inefficient when on the court with not just his shooting but playmaking as well. Although he flashed at times, as he averaged 5.3 assists per game, he also posted a 3.2 turnover per game stat line.
Hayes went down with an injury a third into the season, and one can only hope that he would have improved as the season progressed. The rookie point guard did have flashes of brilliance when playing, but Hayes will be a huge project for Detroit. Luckily for Hayes, the team is just starting its rebuild so the point guard has a few years to develop into a star.
What’s Next
What’s next for the Pistons is development. The team is going to focus on their current rookies and the upcoming rookies in the coming offseason. Their development is the future of the franchise. Even if just one of them becomes a star, this rebuild will be considered a success. This offseason will be based on progressions, like Hayes, Stewart, and Bey will all have to take another step to become better players. In hopes to revitalize the franchise, Dwane Casey has a lot of work to do with the rookies.
The rookies are not the only priority for this franchise. The team needs to decide whether or not to keep Grant and Plumlee on the roster. Both players had tremendous seasons in Detroit, but will not be around for the timeline of competing for the playoffs. The Pistons should look into trading these players’ bench pieces and future draft picks. Although with that said, these moves do not have to be done this offseason or even this upcoming season. But it would be smart for the team to at least field the idea of trading these players.
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