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What will be Detroit Pistons starting lineup: Five options

By Stuart London

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: Dwane Casey head coach of the Detroit Pistons looks on in the first half against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on January 04, 2020 in San Francisco, California. 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. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: Dwane Casey head coach of the Detroit Pistons looks on in the first half against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on January 04, 2020 in San Francisco, California. 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. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Pistons
Feb 13, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin (23) throws a pass while being defended by Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward (20). Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

Money talks

In most businesses, the workers making the most money are usually the ones shouldering the most responsibility.

However, in the NBA, with rookie contracts, the salary cap and players sometimes getting paid way more than they are worth, the normal way of doing business is not followed entirely.

In a perfect world, those making the most money should be upfront in the starting lineup. Obviously, owner Tom Gores would like to get value for the money he is shelling out.

Strictly by salary, here is the starting 5 for the Pistons featuring the highest paid players (contract info courtesy Spotrac.com):

All $$$ lineup

PF: Blake Griffin ($36,595,996)

SF: Jerami Grant ($19,050,000)

C: Mason Plumlee ($7,936,508)

PG: Derrick Rose ($7,682,927)

SG: Delon Wright ($9,000,000)

These are all well-paid veterans. They have been through NBA seasons and know the grind.

Related Story. Did Detroit Pistons really overpay for Mason Plumlee and Jerami Grant?. light

The frontline is big, with the 6-foot-9 Grant; the shrimp of the bunch. Wright and Rose in the backcourt, present a lot of ball-handling and speed. They would not offer much in the outside shooting department.

The pick-and-roll, with fast guards and bulky frontliners like Griffin and Plumlee, would be fun to watch. Not fun would be watching this group launch three-pointers.

This lineup means all the young  players would come off the bench. Would this hurt their development? Or does it matter?

Maybe it would be better for them to be eased into life in the NBA. Killian Hayes will find out quickly guarding Russell Westbrook is a lot different than some German welder who plays basketball part-time.

This lineup would most likely finish in the top 10 in the Eastern Conference and make the play-in tournament. It would be deep with all the first-rounders coming off the bench. But with a clunky offensive setup with little outside shooting, a first-round playoff loss would be the ultimate for this lineup.

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