Detroit Pistons: Now is the time to play Sekou Doumbouya

This is not the season the Detroit Pistons were hoping Sekou Doumbouya would have.

After showing some promise as a rookie, the second-year forward has mostly been glued to the bench, even after the Blake Griffin buyout opened up some more minutes at his position.

I am not one of the fans who thinks he is a bust, but I am starting to wonder why exactly he is not playing. Doumbouya has barely left the bench the last few games, which makes no sense given where the Pistons are and what they are trying to achieve.

I also understand and value Dwane Casey’s ethos of making young players “earn” minutes, as the Pistons are trying to change their culture and that isn’t going to happen if you reward guys who aren’t playing hard.

There might also be some things behind the scenes that fans aren’t privy to, though Doumbouya is a hard worker by all accounts and there hasn’t been any talk of him having a bad attitude.

If there is not some off-the-court reason, then it is time for Sekou Doumbouya to play. Here’s why.

Detroit Pistons: Remember, this team is trying to lose

If you aren’t going to get your project player minutes in a season when you’re tanking, then when exactly is he going to get them?

The Pistons aren’t even trying to win right now, which gives them the perfect opportunity to get developmental minutes for Doumbouya. This might not be true next season or hopefully ever again, so why not take advantage and get your guy minutes?

If he is bad, oh well, you are not trying to win anyway. This has proven to be an effective strategy with Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart and Saben Lee, who are playing through their rookie seasons without the pressure of high stakes games.

Why not give Doumbouya the same opportunity in the one season when you are actively trying to lose?

Look, he’d be in the G-League right now, but there isn’t one, so unless you want this season to be a complete waste of time for Doumbouya’s development, he has to actually play.

I’m sorry, but I’ve already seen more than enough of Cory Joseph and Wayne Ellington. Doumbouya can’t get better if he doesn’t play and now is the ideal time for him to do it.