The Detroit Pistons are rebuilding and as they do, they will have decisions to make on certain players.
Troy Weaver has done a great job so far, grabbing low-cost free agents who look like assets, snagging a star in free agency and getting talent in the draft.
The Pistons have an interesting mix of veterans and young guys that can be placed into three different categories.
The first category is one I’d call “Trade.” These are the guys the Pistons would either love to deal before the deadline or would at least consider moving in the right deal.
The second category is “Pending.” These are the guys who the Pistons are not sure about yet, but who are worth taking a long look at for the rest of this season and maybe next.
The final category is “Core.” These are the guys who the Detroit Pistons envision being part of the long-term future of the team.
Here is where each player fits.
Detroit Pistons: Can the Pistons trade Derrick Rose and Blake Griffin?
Trade Now
- Blake Griffin
- Derrick Rose
There are really only two players who the Pistons would love to unload as soon as possible and they are Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose.
Griffin not only has one of the worst contracts in the league but is playing badly while blocking Sekou Doumbouya from getting minutes.
He’s going to be tough to move.
Derrick Rose, on the other hand, should be able to net an asset in a trade and will almost certainly be gone before the deadline.
Sub-category: Character vets
- Mason Plumlee
- Delon Wright
- Wayne Ellington
- Jahlil Okafor
The Detroit Pistons also have some low-cost veterans who might attract attention in a trade. All of these guys are good veterans to have around, so the Pistons probably aren’t actively shopping them, but they would listen.
Every team needs guys like these, as they contribute without taking much off the table and are on team-friendly contracts.
Detroit Pistons: Will the Pistons re-sign Svi Mykhailiuk?
Pending
- Josh Jackson
- Saben Lee
- Svi Mykhailiuk
- Frank Jackson
- Deividas Sirvydis
I would put all of these players in the “Pending” category, as all have shown flashes but have not yet proven they should be part of the long-term future.
The two most interesting players on this list are Jackson and Mykhailiuk, who have both played well at times this season.
Jackson looked like he was going to be in the running for Most Improved Player after the first few games but has been inconsistent since returning from a minor ankle injury.
Dwane Casey is high on Saben Lee and thinks he could be a player in the NBA. Same with Frank Jackson, who actually played some impact minutes for the Pelicans last season and could end up being a quality backup.
Sirvydis hasn’t played yet but he has high-ceiling talent and is worth keeping around until at least next season when there is a full G-League.
So far none of these guys have made themselves indispensable but Troy Weaver took some calculated risks and it is worth being patient to see how they turn out.
Detroit Pistons: who are the core players moving forward?
The Core
- Jerami Grant
- Saddiq Bey
- Isaiah Stewart
- Sekou Doumbouya
- Killian Hayes
These five players are the core of the Detroit Pistons.
Jerami Grant looks like a star and a lock for Most Improved Player. Troy Weaver looks like a genius as he is only 26-years-old and has been one of the best wings in the NBA this season.
Saddiq Bey has shown himself to be a player. He can defend and shoot already and has the skillset to fit on just about any roster.
Isaiah Stewart is already a fan favorite and looks like a young Ben Wallace at times, grabbing boards and defending all over the place.
Sekou Doumbouya hasn’t done much yet but he is still only 20-years-old. People want to call him a “bust” but then forget players like Pascal Siakam didn’t enter the league until age 22 and didn’t make an All-Star team until age 25. It is way too early to give up on Doumbouya.
Hayes’ injury, unfortunately, ended his season, but his size and IQ at the point guard position should serve the Pistons well as long as he comes back full strength.
This isn’t a bad core to build around, and if the Pistons can add another top-3 pick they should have one of the better young groups in the NBA.
The Pistons finally have some keepers and it is going to be interesting to see how Troy Weaver builds around them.