Detroit Pistons: Bey and Stewart give Pistons a foundation similar to Miami

The Detroit Pistons would love to emulate the sustained success of the Miami Heat and are on their way after drafting Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart.

Both Pistons’ rookies have been getting better each game and can have an impact on both ends of the floor.

Bey is joining the history books from 3-point range while playing versatile and tough defense, while Stewart is among the rookie leaders in blocks, rebounds and field goal percentage.

He is even adding a 3-point shot to his repertoire and is playing like he might be the next Bam Adebayo.

But Stewart isn’t the only thing that is comparable to the Miami Heat, the Pistons are trying to imitate their success in a number of ways.

Detroit Pistons: Building around defense

The Miami Heat were able to make an unexpected run to the Finals last season largely because of the defense of Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler, who can both defend multiple positions which allowed Miami to play small lineups with more shooting.

The Pistons have some similar players in Stewart, Bey and Jerami Grant, who can defend all over the floor and give the Pistons a lot of lineup versatility. As the Pistons fine-tune their roster with more shooting and Killian Hayes returns, they could have a lineup very similar to Miami’s, as they have versatile defenders and a penetrating point guard who can set up teammates.

Detroit Pistons: Finding talent later in the draft

The Miami Heat are often involved in trade rumors and free agent talk but the main reason for their sustained success is that they consistently find talent later in the draft.

They have done it with Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson and Kendrick Nunn. The Pistons have hit home runs with Stewart and Bey and Killian Hayes hopes to join them soon.

They look to have found a talent in Saben Lee in the second round, much the same way Miami has found talent late in the draft.

Detroit will never be a free-agent destination like Miami, but it doesn’t have to be, as the Pistons are building a foundation of homegrown talent based around versatility and defense, which Miami has proven is a path to success.