Detroit Pistons: What is happening with Saddiq Bey?

For most of the young season, it appeared as though the Detroit Pistons had a Rookie of the Year candidate in Saddiq Bey.

Bey was playing big minutes, knocking down 3-point shots at a high rate and he was playing defense all over the floor.

Bey was never likely to get the reps to be a serious ROY candidate, but he was near the top in scoring, rebounds and 3-point percentage.

Since then, he has disappeared, as Dwane Casey has decided that playing Blake Griffin 39 minutes a game even though he is terrible is a good idea.

I’m not sure what Saddiq Bey did to get into the doghouse, but he has barely gotten off the bench the last few games and I can’t figure out why.

Detroit Pistons: Is Saddiq Bey injured?

Saddiq Bey is not listed on the Pistons’ injury report and there has been no indication that he is not 100 percent, so what is going on?

To start the season, Bey played at least 15 minutes in nine of 10 games. But since playing 27 minutes vs. the Utah Jazz, Bey’s minutes have steadily declined.

He played just 19 minutes in the next game, 11 after that before bottoming out at three and eight minutes in the last two games respectively.

Since scoring in double digits four games in a row, Bey has been held to five points total in three games.

I’ve watched some film of those games and didn’t see Bey do anything egregious that would get him benched, but it appears he has been.

When you add the fact that the Pistons’ veterans have been playing poorly, it doesn’t make sense that Detroit’s most promising rookie is sitting on the bench after being such a solid contributor.

The Detroit Pistons are losing games without their young guys on the floor, which is frustrating. Let’s hope Dwane Casey lets Saddiq Bey off the bench, as he is not only a big part of the future but gives them their best chance to win now.