The Detroit Pistons have used a plethora of point guards this season and all of them have contributed in some way.
Killian Hayes gave way to Delon Wright because of injury, then Derrick Rose was traded for Dennis Smith Jr. who had some nice moments along with Saben Lee once Wright was injured and then traded
Frank Jackson got some run at the point before carving a different role out for himself off the bench and Cory Joseph has been the latest Piston to start at point guard.
Cory Joseph has played well since coming to the Pistons which has put Saben Lee back on the bench. Lee was catching some DNP’s before DSJ went down to injury again but I would love to see him inserted back into the starting lineup. Here’s why.
Detroit Pistons: Let the rookies grow together
Let’s face it, if there were a G-League this season we wouldn’t have seen Saben Lee in the Pistons’ lineup much if at all.
But this wacky season and the non-stop injuries to point guards worked in Lee’s favor and now he looks like a keeper. The Pistons have four guys from last year’s draft that look to be part of the core moving forward.
I would really love to see them all play in the same game at some point, but if Hayes continues to miss every other game due to injury concerns then why not insert Lee into the starting lineup with Saddiq Bey so the two can start developing some chemistry?
Detroit Pistons: Lee is the most likely to be with the team next season
Cory Joseph has been a nice story since coming to the Pistons but he is very unlikely to be on the team next season given that his contract is up to $12 million if it is fully guaranteed.
If the Pistons let him walk they will pick up over $6 million in extra cap space, so the odds are long that he’ll be back.
I would say the same for Dennis Smith Jr., who has had some flashes but has not done enough to say he’s definitely part of the team next season.
Lee will be a low-cost alternative, especially as the third point guard, so why not give him most of the minutes? He’s played well in the starting role this season and has shown enough to be considered for that spot.
It’s time for the Detroit Pistons to narrow the point guard field a bit, give the starts to Killian Hayes and Saben Lee and start building for next season.