Detroit Pistons 2020 NBA Draft Profile: Nico Mannion
Mannion’s fit in Detroit
Shifting the attention towards Detroit’s offseason and future, there’s a glaring crater in the backcourt.
With the uncertainty of Reggie Jackson returning, Derrick Rose is the only true lock for next season. Although Bruce Brown has done a solid job of solidifying the position for the short-term, finding a true point guard is a necessity for the team next year.
Eight current players on the Pistons roster are 25 years old or younger, so the youth movement in the Motor City has already been established.
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Dwane Casey has progressed the roster to the new NBA style of play that consists of shooters. Mykhailiuk, Snell, Brown, Langston Galloway, Kennard, Thon Maker, Christian Wood and Sekou Doumbouya are all threats from the perimeter.
Mannion has more than proven that he thrives in finding open teammates and this would give Casey endless options within the offense.
Casey relies on a free-flowing offense and according to the Detroit Free Press, he only calls plays about 30% of the time for the offense. He wants consistent ball movement that will keep the defense guessing. Again, Mannion has more than proven he thrives in the open court consistently zipping the ball forward.
An intriguing opportunity next year would be the chemistry and play between Mannion and Blake Griffin. If Griffin is able to come back healthy, I think the duo would wreak havoc in screen (roll, pop) situations. Mannion’s proven ability to work tirelessly in off ball situations will give Griffin a solid go-to option.
The Pistons would feature a tandem of Doumbouya and Mannion. With Mannion’s strong play making ability, it would be enticing to see how Doumbouya would feed off of that.
Sekou thrives in moving without the basketball, and I think Mannion would give him a lot of easy looks at the basket.
Detroit is desperate for play-making and the involvement of the entire team within the offense. Mannion brings that, along with much needed tenacity on the defensive end.
Where are they now? Former Detroit Piston Spencer Dinwiddie. dark. Next
If he falls to Detroit, they’d be gifted with one of the best all-around guards in the draft.