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Detroit Pistons: Christian Wood has to make the final roster

By Nicolas Henkel

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 11: Christian Wood #35 of the Detroit Pistons dunks the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during a pre-season game on October 11, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 11: Christian Wood #35 of the Detroit Pistons dunks the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during a pre-season game on October 11, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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With just a few preseason games remaining for the Detroit Pistons, they’ll have some difficult decisions to make regarding the final roster spot. The importance of retaining Christian Wood cannot be overstated.

After the Detroit Pistons opened their preseason last week, there has been a lingering  narrative that Christian Wood may still be the odd man out. We’re arriving at a point where the continued rhetoric surrounding the ambiguity of Wood’s final fate on the team is increasingly insincere.

Playing in all three games thus far, but only having a significant impact in two, Wood has posted totals of 35 points and 17 rebounds. Doing this on consistent shooting at 66 percent from three, 66 percent from the field, and 80 percent from the line provides stability that Detroit needs.

That stability, is something the Pistons did not have a season ago. The necessity to keep Wood on the roster over an assortment of players is a growing concern for many fans. Ultimately, Wood’s impact on the game is marginally larger than it is for any of the players Detroit could conceivably keep instead of him.

As the preseason moves on, it almost begins to feel like the competition for the final roster spot is no longer between Wood and Joe Johnson. After the Pistons faced off against the Cleveland Cavaliers, there’s a chance Khyri Thomas may be the odd man out. This would make sense, as he never gets to see consistent minutes given the Pistons over abundance of shooting guards.

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Whoever it is that has to be cut or traded, if it’s in order to keep a player around like Wood, it’s worth it. He’s done a tremendous job of attacking the basket either on his own or coming off of a pick and roll.

The ferocity he uses to punish the rim is memorizing, and his interior defense is certainly admirable at times as well. Ultimately, he provides a safety net for Detroit’s contingency plans with Andre Drummond. As it stands, Drummond has joked that he may have to play a full 48 minutes when asked about the lack of center depth.

Once again, Wood becomes stability for Detroit. He’s a high energy rim runner, who can also space the floor – something the Pistons desperately need in a big man. A majority of fans are already perpetually angry over what some feel is the inevitability of his fate.

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Pistons fans shouldn’t have to worry, as Wood appears to be special. At this point, over the last several games we’ve seen his offensive skill set, there’s hardly a decision to be made.

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