Detroit Pistons: Players that need a good training camp

The Detroit Pistons still have high expectations heading into the 2018-2019 season despite missing the playoffs last year. Which players have to prove their worth in training camp?

The Detroit Pistons had a lot of players disappoint last season as they finished under the .500 mark for the second straight season.

There’s no one left to blame but the players themselves. There’s a brand new coaching staff and a lot of new faces in the front office. The only thing that is still remotely the same is the core of this team.

Head coach Dwane Casey has been known for his ability to get the most out of his players. Look at some of the key contributors for the Toronto Raptors last season.

Fred VanVleet and Delon Wright are perfect examples of that. They knew their roles with the team and performed at a high level. So no, this doesn’t necessarily have to be players that are starters.

Everyone will have to prove their worth. A new head coach means new expectations. Hiring Casey clearly means Detroit is looking to compete despite underwhelming results from last season.

Which players from the Detroit Pistons will have to prove to Casey in training camp they are worthy of meaningful minutes this season?

Langston Galloway

Galloway was brought to Detroit last season on a three-year deal worth $21 million. He certainly did produce the numbers that many had expected out of him. It was a disappointing season.

The blame for that isn’t completely on Galloway, however. Former head coach Stan Van Gundy had an a rather puzzling way of putting Galloway in and out of the rotation.

That has an effect on players and their confidence when they’re on the floor. Van Gundy had an odd way of handling minutes with others as well.

Galloway didn’t play in 12 out of their last 18 games.

Whether it was that or just inconsistent play at times, Galloway’s numbers did plummet last season after having a good campaign in the 2016-2017 season.

Galloway shot just 37 percent from the field and 34 percent from three-point range. Despite the low numbers, his performance did typically have a big impact on the Pistons’ outcome in games.

The Pistons were 10-3 in games where Galloway scored ten or more points. This proves that he does have value.

Galloway is a combo guard that can get hot from deep at any given time. With Reggie Jackson coming back, two new draft picks, and free agency additions, the Pistons back court will have a lot of people fighting for minutes.

Those stats from last season will not get it done again.

Stanley Johnson

It’s hard as a fan to watch Stanley Johnson at times. You want to see him do well and he shows signs of being an effective player at times. Then there’s nights where just implodes on the court and you’re back at square one with him.

There’s no doubt that Johnson is a talented basketball player. He also falls under the category of not getting any kind of consistent minutes under Van Gundy.

Part of that has to do with his production as well. Johnson was given quite the opportunity after Griffin was traded to Detroit. He started in a lot of games down the stretch including one performance to remember right after the trade.

Johnson shot just under 38 percent from the field and 28 percent from three-point range. That just won’t get it done on the offensive end of the floor.

We know he can defend but there’s a need for players to knock down shots when called upon. He’s proven time and time again that he just can’t do that.

Here’s to hoping that Casey can work his magic on Johnson like he’s done with a lot of young players throughout his career. It just seems like there’s a lot of untapped talent with Stanley Johnson.

He will have to prove that he is worth of minutes now that Glenn Robinson III is on this team. He’s received a fresh start and will be looking for something to prove as well.