The Detroit Pistons are pretty much exactly where they want to be at the midway point of the season.
They have the second-worst record overall, are headed for a top-pick but are getting promising contributions from their young players as they try to develop talent and rebuild.
Saddiq Bey has been a steal as the 19th pick, Jerami Grant has blossomed into a star and young players like Saben Lee have thrived in unexpected roles.
As the team heads into the All-Star break, there are a number of players and even a member of the front office who are trending in the right direction while a couple of guys are going the other way.
It’s too early to tell what is going on with Jerami Grant, who missed the final two games of the first half with injury.
Same with Isaiah Stewart and Svi Mykhailiuk, who have been steady but not spectacular as of late. Dennis Smith Jr. has been okay, logging his first triple-double against the Raptors, but it is still too early to guess which direction he might go in the second half.
Rodney McGruder has put together two decent games in a row, but I’d hardly call it a trend, so let’s take a look at the guys whose play has been a little more consistent one way or another.
Let’s start the Detroit Pistons Stock Exchange with the guys who are trending up, which includes a member of the front office.
If these were stocks, you would want to buy now, as they are going up and hopefully going to continue in that direction.
Detroit Pistons: Troy Weaver has an eye for talent
With Bey, Stewart and Lee all playing big roles this season, Troy Weaver’s eye for talent is definitely on the rise.
He also took a chance on Smith Jr. that has appeared to pay off, as did the flyers on Jerami Grant, Mason Plumlee, Delon Wright, Josh Jackson and Wayne Ellington.
The Pistons are not winning by design but Weaver has shown an impressive eye for players who are undervalued, which will be important as the Detroit Pistons try to rebuild without the benefit of landing big-named free agents.
Detroit Pistons: Saben Lee could be part of the future
Coming into the season, no no thought 2nd-round pick Saben Lee would see this much action, or any at all, but injuries have forced him into duty and he’s made the most of it.
Lee has shown plus-athleticism, the ability to set up teammates and a better than advertised jumpshot.
He is now averaging 7.1 points and 2.3 assists on 54 percent shooting overall and 66 percent from behind the 3-point line, albeit on a low volume of attempts.
Over his last seven games he’s been even better, averaging 12.5 points and 3.8 assists and looks like a guy who will have a solid chance to make the team next year as a backup.
Detroit Pistons: Wayne Ellington’s chances of being traded
After a string of really poor shooting performances that threatened to submarine whatever trade value he had, Ellington has put together two strong games making 12 from behind the arc and showing contending teams that he might be able to help them in the 2nd-half.
It’s still unlikely that the Pistons get a big haul for Ellington, but he has made it easier to get something in return for a veteran who was meant to be roster filler and nothing more.
Detroit Pistons: Mason Plumlee has been better than advertised
Mason Plumlee is another retread who has found second-life with the Pistons. He has already recorded two triple-doubles this season and is nearly averaging a double-double while piling up the assists.
Plumlee is third overall in assists for centers and has been a steady presence for this young Detroit Pistons’ team. Plumlee now looks like one of the value signings of the offseason and there are likely a few teams that wish they had gotten him.
Now for the players going in the other direction.
Detroit Pistons: Josh Jackson’s shooting has been horrible
Overall, Josh Jackson has been a nice surprise for the Pistons, as his energy and versatility on the defensive end have earned him minutes even though he continues to struggle shooting the ball.
That struggle has gotten worse lately, as Jackson keeps firing 3-point shots even though there is no evidence he can make them.
After a 12-game run of awful shooting from behind-the-arc, Jackson is now just 29 percent on 3-point shots (a career low) for the season but is still taking 4.4 four of them per game (a career high.)
Jackson will continue to get minutes because of his defense and energy but he needs to carve out a role on offense that does not involve shooting from long range.
Detroit Pistons: Sekou Doumbouya still can’t crack the rotation
Even after Blake Griffin was benched in an effort to trade him or buy him out, Doumbouya still hasn’t been able to earn a spot in the rotation, which is disappointing.
Fans that want to call him a “bust” or give up on a 20-year-old who was a raw prospect coming in, really don’t understand development, as most guys are not who they are going to be until at least age 25.
That being said, it’s discouraging that he looks worse than last season and still can’t earn minutes though he is on a team mostly populated by rookies.
Detroit Pistons: Delon Wright probably won’t be moved
Delon Wright’s injury threw a monkey wrench into the possibility that he would be traded before the deadline, as he still hasn’t returned and may not have time to show he is healthy before March 25th.
This might not be the worst thing, as Wright will still have value down the road and he has a team-friendly contract that could easily be moved in the offseason.
But for those hoping that he would be traded for a first round pick and allow the youngsters to take the wheel, you may have to wait until next season.
The Detroit Pistons have to be happy about where they are at the halfway point. Let’s hope they can continue to lose games in entertaining fashion, as this has been one of the funnest teams in recent memory even though they are in last place in the East.