Detroit Pistons: Predicting the 2019 NBA Playoffs Rotation

Langston Galloway, 20.0 Minutes, – 2 – 3 minutes

Langston Galloway was a tough one. He deserves the minutes over anyone else up for the time. It’s been an up-and-down season for the guard/forward. On one hand, he’s sparking a run the fourth quarter against a gaining Miami Heat squad with four three-pointers. He scored 17 points in the second half of that game and looked like the scorer he was initially delegated to be.

In another light, his shooting slump across January and most of February left some wins on the table for the Pistons. No one man is singlehandedly responsible for a loss, but Galloway’s role as a shooters begs that he does just that. Shoot and hit. Galloway’s penchant to keep firing makes him a playoff piece for the Detroit Pistons. The three-point shot is an obvious dictator in the league and the team needs every inch of perimeter offense they can get. Langston Galloway is a big piece of that puzzle.

The “maybe they wills”

Khyri Thomas, 8.8 Minutes, – 3 – 4 minutes

Jon Leuer, 10.5 Minutes, – 5 – 6 minutes

I don’t expect either to play meaningful minutes unless Coach Casey yanks a guy to hit the reset button on his efforts. Khyri Thomas showed strides in his development, but rookie mistakes lead to a quick exit and the NBA Playoffs are no place for a trial run. The Detroit Pistons have minimal room for error.

Jon Leuer is a decent defensive player for Detroit and can run the floor when it’s time to get up. Maker has overtaken the rotation and Leuer’s appearance in the first round is a sacrifice.

Barring injury, I don’t see any other Pistons’ role players cracking the 2019 NBA Playoffs rotation. Going too deep will just hinder the team’s chemistry in the postseason. Cohesion that has taken 31 losses, two trades and an all-star season from Griffin to build. Every man dressed has a role to play when April comes around. The Detroit Pistons look good right now. Things change in the playoffs.

I doubt this version of the squad will though.