Detroit Pistons: 3 takeaways from clutch loss to the LA Clippers

Detroit Pistons: Wayne Ellington and Cory Joseph are playing too much

Last night Wayne Ellington and Cory Joseph played a combined 40 minutes while Killian Hayes and Saben Lee played a combined 25 minutes.

All of those were logged by Hayes, as Lee caught another DNP as Dwane Casey insists on playing veterans instead of his rookies.

If this were the beginning of the season, this would make sense, as Casey has been adamant about young players “earning” minutes. But we have 17 games remaining, so why is he still running out two guys who aren’t likely to be on the team next season?

Given that Cory Joseph will be owed $12 million if the Pistons fully guarantee his contract, I see little possibility he will be with the team next season. There is a slightly better chance for Ellington, but either way, these two are not in the long-term plans.

Is Casey trying to help them find jobs next season? I don’t get it.

Saben Lee has shown flashes and the Detroit Pistons would probably like to have some idea of how he fits as a possible backup point guard next season and even how he might fit alongside Killian Hayes.

Strategically speaking, it makes no sense to not play him in favor of guys who aren’t long for Detroit. Just once, I’d love to see Casey roll with all of his young guys in one game so we can get a glimpse of the future.