The Detroit Pistons are one of the worst teams in the NBA but one of the encouraging parts of the season has been the strong play from their rookies.
Both Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart have played tough, inspiring defense this season and Bey has been one of the best rookies in the NBA at shooting the 3-point shot.
The injury to Killian Hayes was definitely disappointing, as the only thing that could make this masterclass in tanking any better is if he too were getting lots of minutes.
With Delon Wright out with injury and Blake Griffin glued to the bench waiting to be bought out or traded, the Pistons’ rookies should get some more run as the season progresses.
Of the rookies who have played enough to judge, all have shown signs of potential, but they still have room to get better.
Here is one thing for each rookie to improve for the rest of this season and over the next offseason.
Detroit Pistons: Rookie Deividas Sirvydis
Deividas Sirvydis has only played one minute this season, so it’s hard to say what he needs to work on from a basketball perspective.
But the 20-year-old definitely has some things to work on physically, as he is 6-foot-8 but weighs just 190 lbs. about the same as me and he is a foot taller.
He desperately needs to put on some size and strength in the offseason if he wants to be able to compete against NBA wings, who are getting bigger and stronger every season.
He has the all-around offensive game to be a player in this league but not if he can’t defend his position because he is too small and weak.