Detroit Pistons 2019-20 rotation questions that need to be answered
The starters
The trio of Jackson, Griffin and Drummond proved to be a formidable one last season logging over 1,500 minutes together with a net rating of 6.2. All three of them had healthy offseasons, so the hope is they can repeat that production and even top it.
A key to their success last season was Brown. Not because he’s a defensive juggernaut, he made his fair share of mistakes on that end, but mainly because he stayed out of their way on offense.
Now the Pistons have another low-usage player to take his place, Snell. Snell might not play with the same kind of energy on defense but he is quite capable on that end and he can actually provide high-efficiency scoring as long as he’s not asked to do too much. A perfect complementary piece for the starting lineup.
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The main question becomes what the fifth starter will look like. Last year the Pistons had either Wayne Ellington or Reggie Bullock taking up roughly 17 percent of the usage. Kennard was also put in that role and left us feeling that he’s more comfortable coming off the bench.
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Ellington and Bullock were both in the top seven in the NBA when it comes to dribble handoff (DHO) possessions. DHOs were a big part of the offense as you can tell and a major part of Blake Griffin’s game as well. Griffin is a master of using the threat of a shooter to find openings for himself.
So, in the absence of those two, can the Pistons find an alternative option to form a threatening two-man game with Griffin?
Snell seems like a possible candidate but hasn’t shown much in that department, spending most of his career standing in the corner. Snell may be able to provide some of the juice needed but the Pistons will have to find some other options as well.
Splitting that responsibility between Snell and Galloway, for example, can prove to be efficient, as long as you don’t drop too much decision making on their plate.
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A Brown-Snell duo on the wings would definitely be great on defense but seriously lacking on offense. Casey was looking to lower Griffin’s offensive burden all season, so starting those two would definitely be a step in the opposite direction.
Kennard is definitely capable of providing the same kind of threat and even more when you account for his ball-handling and passing ability. But there are no clear-cut answers here. There’s always a trade-off.
Will a Jackson-Kennard backcourt be able to hold their own against NBA starting-caliber guards?
How will the bench score without Kennard?