The Detroit Pistons are tanking behind strong play from their young players, but Deividas Sirvydis has yet to be a part of it.
This could all change soon, as the 20-year-old may end up becoming a part of the Pistons’ rotation after the trade deadline, when they could look like a much different team.
The Pistons have already put Blake Griffin on ice for an unlikely trade or possible buyout, and guys like Delon Wright, Wayne Ellington, Svi Mykhailiuk and even Mason Plumlee could be on the move before March 25th.
The Detroit Pistons have no reason to try and win this season, so will be looking for ways to secure the worst overall record in the NBA to increase their chances at the number one pick. The bottom three teams all have equal odds in the lottery but the worst team is guaranteed to stay in the top-five.
Since there is a consensus that there is a drop off after the top-five in this draft, getting that spot would almost guarantee that the Pistons land some impact talent even if they don’t get the number one overall.
Here is how Deividas Sirvydis could be a part of it and why we should see more minutes from the 20-year-old Lithuanian.
Detroit Pistons: The Pistons will crank up the tank
The Detroit Pistons have been bad this season but not bad enough, as they still only have the second-worst record in the NBA after the Timberwolves.
If you are going to tank, you may as well go all-in, which the Detroit Pistons will likely do by trading off some of their veterans at the deadline.
This could open up some minutes for Sirvydis, who has yet to really play this season. The combination of some open rotation spots and the desire to lose could mean we get a long look at Sirvydis in the second half of the season.
If the Pistons end up trading 4-5 players without taking many back, Sirvydis could find himself a role, especially with no G-League team to send him to for those reps.
Detroit Pistons: Svi Mykhailiuk has been a disappointment
One of the players who might find himself on a new team is Svi Mykhailiuk, who has been the most disappointing Piston so far this season.
The Pistons were hoping that Mykhailiuk would step up and seize a role with this team moving forward, as he has the size and shooting that they need, but so far he has not shown that he can consistently be that guy.
The 23-year-old has only shot 31 percent from behind the arc, way down from his career average and has not defended well enough to carve out a role even though he’s been given every chance to do so.
The Detroit Pistons will likely be shopping him at the deadline, as he no longer looks like part of the future plans.
If Svi is gone, the door will open for Sirvydis to get some minutes and why not? The 20-year-old couldn’t be much worse and may show enough on the offensive end to make up for the fact that he will almost certainly get trucked on defense.
It would be nice for the Pistons to get some idea of what they have in Sirvydis, especially without the benefit of G-League minutes this season.
Who knows, he could flash some of the potential he showed as the youngest person to ever play in the Lithuanian league.
Detroit Pistons: Deividas Sirvydis’ future with the team
There are a lot of possibilities when it comes to Deividas Sirvydis’ future with the Detroit Pistons.
He is only 20-years-old and still needs to pack on some weight and muscle before he will be able to handle defense in the NBA.
He is projected as a wing or shooting guard with good handles and shooting but has yet to showcase any of it in the NBA.
If he can get a chance to show some of what he can do, he could embed himself as part of the Pistons’ young core moving forward or at least make himself valuable enough to include as part of a bigger trade.
If the Detroit Pistons want to move up in the draft or make a trade with a rebuilding team, Sirvydis could be attractive as a project player with upside.
Teams like the OKC Thunder make these types of moves all the time, trying to hoard young talent hoping that some of it eventually pays dividends down the road.
The Detroit Pistons could certainly do the same with Sirvydis, as he needs time to develop, but if he shows some flashes he could end up being the sweetener in a trade.
The Detroit Pistons need to see what they have in Sirvydis before the season is done and that time may come soon if they have a busy trade deadline.