How Svi Mykhailiuk can improve next season

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 1: Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk #19 of the Detroit Pistons dunks the ball against the San Antonio Spurs on December 1, 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 - DECEMBER 1: Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk #19 of the Detroit Pistons dunks the ball against the San Antonio Spurs on December 1, 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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Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons Svi Mykhailiuk. (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

How Mykhailiuk can improve next season

Neither of Mykhailiuk’s strengths or weaknesses are jump off the screen when watching an average Pistons game.

The first thing you’d like to see from him is to ramp up his aggressiveness on offense. While he is regarded as a potent spot up shooter, his off the dribble game may be undervalued. He’s a solid  ball handler, can use his size to finish around smaller defenders, and is a very underrated playmaker.

Never regarded as a lock down defender, he will get his fair share of steals if given the playing time. Last season, he would average 1.2 steals per 36 minutes.

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Often times we saw Mykhailiuk disappear from parts of games and resort to spotting up around the perimeter. But on occasion, he showed glimpses of being able to carry the offensive load.

In order to take the next step offensively, he’ll need to become more versatile and less predictable, as he shot 70.4 percent of his shots came from 3 point range. On top of that, he only made 57.1 percent of the shots at the rim and 18.4 percent from 3-10 feet. He’ll need to become a bigger threat around the paint next season.

On a team with few scoring options, Mykhailiuk should be given free reign to show the coaches and fans his ceiling as an offensive player.

In the current situation of the team, why not empower him to take a larger step in his development next season? The Pistons aren’t exactly swimming in proven talent, and they’ve notoriously passed on taking chances with their bench players (we see you Khris Middleton and Spencer Dinwiddie).