The Detroit Pistons have 20 games remaining on their schedule and even though they are near the bottom of the East, there are still plenty of things worth watching.
The Pistons have been one of the most entertaining bad teams in the NBA this season, as they have played competitively for most of it and have four rookies making big contributions.
Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart, Killian Hayes and Saben Lee made quite a draft for Troy Weaver, who has pretty much nailed every move that he’s made so far.
But the rookies aren’t the only thing to watch down the stretch. Here are 20 things to watch over the Detroit Pistons’ final 20 games.
Detroit Pistons: Things to watch in remainder of season
- Will Jerami Grant wear down? Grant has been carrying the Pistons all season and has finally showed some signs that it is taking its toll. This is the first time Grant has ever been asked to be a number one scoring option and he is getting a sense of how difficult it is, especially when you don’t have much help. Can he be “the” guy for a whole season?
- Killian Hayes’ injury. Killian Hayes gives Pistons’ fans reason to be excited, but he also gave us reason for panic when he tweaked his hip during his third game back from a hip injury. The Pistons say he is fine but it is definitely something to keep an eye on.
- Saddiq Bey chasing records. Bey has already set the Pistons’ rookie record for 3-pointers made, is chasing down the all-time NBA record, and is at the top of an elite list of rookies who have attempted at least six 3-pointers per game. Oh, and if he has another game of six made 3’s or more, he’ll hold that record as well.
- Can Josh Jackson be more efficient? Jackson has been very good defensively and he gives the Pistons an element of size and energy but he has been pretty bad on the other end, shooting under 30 percent from long range and turning the ball over way too much. If he can clean these problems up, he’ll be one of the better value signings in the league.
- Dennis Smith Jr. has played well at times and has flashed some of the defense and athleticism that made him one of the top rookies from his class. But can he do enough to secure a future roster spot for himself?
Detroit Pistons: Things to watch in the last 20 games
- Mason Plumlee double-double watch. The Plum Dog is averaging 10.3 points and 9.2 rebounds, not to mention his 3.5 assists which are 3rd-best among centers. Can Plumlee average a double-double for the season? He’ll have to get back from injury and have a few big games on the boards.
- Can Isaiah Stewart continue to extend his range and shoot the 3-point shot? His defense and rebounding have drawn comparisons to Ben Wallace but Stewart’s offensive ceiling is much higher if he can shoot.
- Same with passing. Beef Stew had a career-high four assists in the last game and has shown good vision and I.Q. throughout the season. If he can make plays and shoot, Isaiah Stewart could end up being one of the top rookies from his class.
- Sekou Doumbouya is finally clawing his way out of the doghouse and has put together a couple of good games off the bench. It will be interesting to see if he can get enough minutes to get into a rhythm and head into the offseason with some positive momentum.
- Hamidou Diallo has shot 53.8 percent from 3-point range since joining the Pistons, numbers which are probably not sustainable. But if he can become even an average shooter from range, then this guy could end up being an All-Star, as he is already good at almost everything else.
Detroit Pistons: What to watch down the stretch
- Saben Lee is in a battle with Dennis Smith Jr. for a potential backup point guard position next season. I would give Lee the edge just because he was a second-round draft pick and will be much cheaper than DSJ next season. I also think Lee has the potential to be better, so it would be nice to see him separate himself from the pack a bit.
- Is Jahlil Okafor worth keeping around as a 3rd center? He is slow as a house and can’t defend but the guy is a bucket in the post. The question is whether anyone cares about the post game anymore.
- Frank Jackson has mostly played off the ball recently and has earned a chance at the backup shooting guard role for next season. His outside shooting is the best of his career and he is hitting just over 43 percent from long range on a career-high 2.8 attempts per game. Will Frank Jackson be next year’s Wayne Ellington?
- Speaking of Wayne Ellington… would be be worth bringing back on a veteran’s minimum contract next season? He has shot the ball well and been a solid pro, things that Troy Weaver will appreciate. But will he appreciate them enough to bring the veteran back?
- The Detroit Pistons may have jumped the gun on Tyler Cook when they gave him a contract for the rest of this season and an option for next, but Troy Weaver must have seen something he likes. Cook plays hard, runs the floor and has some qualities that fit with Pistons. He is only 23 and if he pans out, would be another sign that Weaver has a sharp eye for undervalued talent.
Detroit Pistons: Things to watch in final 20 games
- Will youngster Deividas Sirvydis get some run? Not having a G-League has been detrimental to the Pistons’ back-of-the-bench guys so it would be nice to see Sirvydis get a couple of games with extended minutes so he can have something positive to take into next season after spending most of this one watching from the bench.
- Who will be the starter at point guard by the end of the season? Killian Hayes has been playing well of the bench and the Pistons might just finish the season with him in that role with Dennis Smith Jr. and Saben Lee splitting the starter’s duties.
- The battle of Hamidou vs. Jackson. One of the fiercest positional battles fo the Detroit Pistons is the one between Hamidou Diallo and Josh Jackson, who may be playing for a future role with the team. Can the Pistons keep two guys who play the same position and can’t shoot? We shall see.
- What about the tank? The Pistons are clinging onto the third-worst record in the NBA but the Orlando Magic are right on their heels. Will the Pistons win too many games and knock themselves out of position for a top-five pick? This keeps some fans up at night.
- Is Dwane Casey the coach of the future? Some fans have had a problem with how Casey has handled rotation and minutes but one thing is certain: He gets the most out of every guy. Other than Sekou Doumbouya, every single Piston has improved this season so you couldn’t ask much more from Casey in a rebuilding year. Casey fits the culture of Detroit and it will be interesting if the Pistons reward him with an extension before his current contract is up or just wait to see what happens.
It’s not just about wins and losses for the Detroit Pistons, who have plenty to play for down the stretch.