5 reasons why the Detroit Pistons won’t make the playoffs
2. Lack of Frontcourt Depth
Another potential problem that could hold the Pistons out of the playoffs is the lack of frontcourt depth. A majority of this section is contingent on the Pistons not having Christian Wood on their roster on opening night as speculation suggests, but even if he’s on the roster the problems still exist. If you look at the projected depth charts, after Drummond and Griffin, the backups are Thon Maker, Morris and maybe Wood.
The second of the two Morris twins to don the Pistons uniform is also looking to get his career back on track. Markieff Morris is a very solid NBA player but there are two major problems he’s starting to become a bit injury prone over the past few seasons, and he’s never played center before.
Center is a role he might have to play due to the wing heavy roster as it currently stands. As I pointed out previewing Morris’ season, I expect him to be a great bargain acquisition for the Pistons, and he thinks that he and Rose will be one of the best benches in the league. Morris isn’t the problem as he’s a huge upgrade to guys like Zaza Pachulia last year, but Morris cannot do it on his own.
analysis. How could the Pistons frontcourt minutes be allocated?. light
Maker has a trait that players like Markelle Fultz, Dragan Bender, and other draft busts have in common. That trait is that “potential” that is buried deep down that will most likely never come out. I know he’s a good meme on Twitter, but I really don’t see what he’s done to justify the payday he’s likely to want this summer.
After the first game he played where he stuffed Bobby Portis and lost a tooth, I was all-in on Maker as the Pistons only gave up Stanley Johnson for him. All of this changed when we were forced to start Maker against the Bucks and they showed why they traded him away as Giannis bullied Maker and dismantled him on the defensive end.
analysis. Is the Pistons backup center conundrum resolved?. light
On the offensive end it wasn’t any better as when anyone mentions the Bucks or Giannis, I have flashbacks back to Maker chucking corner three’s down 30 in the second quarter. The only redeeming quality for Maker is his body and what a body it is. His freakish athleticism and size are much more than Sekou Doumbouya and Pascal Siakam, is Maker going to be the next freak after his ex-teammate Giannis? We shall see.
Wood has never really got a shot on an NBA roster but in his few games in place of Anthony Davis down in New Orleans, he looked to be a diamond in the rough. The Pistons fans, Pistons Twitter, and our staff all loved the acquisition but as the Pistons seem to be in love with 38-year-old Joe Johnson, Wood might never play a game for the Pistons which would be a shame.