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Memphis Grizzlies’ rebuild could provide blueprint for the Detroit Pistons

By Aaron Kellerstrass

MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 3: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons and Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the Memphis Grizzlies shake hands after a game on February 3, 2020 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 2020 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 3: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons and Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the Memphis Grizzlies shake hands after a game on February 3, 2020 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 2020 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies controls the ball in front of Langston Galloway #9 of the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies controls the ball in front of Langston Galloway #9 of the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /

Mix in veterans but let the youth lead the way

The Grizzlies are currently being led by rookies Morant and Clarke, second year player Jaren Jackson Jr. and third year shooting guard Dillon Brooks. They are all playing big minutes, getting plenty of shots and being allowed to develop chemistry as a young core.

While the youth is leading the way, Memphis added glue guys Jae Crowder and Jonas Valanciunas, who provide veteran leadership, experience and stability to the young core without taking away from it and do so on reasonable contracts.

Memphis found veterans who complimented their young core, allowing them to develop without competing with them for playing time or taking their shots.

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Thus far, Detroit has largely failed to do this, as their veterans are still getting most of the shots and minutes, while the young core of Doumbouya, Brown, Mykhailiuk and Wood have seen very little time together on the floor.

This could all change after the trade deadline and it’s possible that the Pistons will be a drastically different team by this time next week. Moving forward Detroit needs to identify veterans that compliment their core without taking away from it.

They don’t necessarily need to make a big splash in free agency and should avoid taking on long term money for a second tier veteran that may help them win now at the expense of playing time and development for their young players.

In other words, they need to find more players like Crowder and fewer like Snell and Reggie Jackson, both of whom have been playing inexplicable minutes over the last few games.

Detroit definitely needs to rebuild but it doesn’t have to be a multi-year tankathon, or some “Process” type project that takes seven years and yields middling results. Memphis has provided the blueprint for Detroit to compete for the “right” kind of eight seed as soon as next season.

With a solid draft, a few savvy trades and the right mixture of youth and experience, Detroit could execute a quick rebuild similar to what happened in Memphis.

Next. Detroit Pistons 2020 trade deadline guide. dark

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