The Detroit Pistons hit two home runs in the NBA Draft with Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart.
Both have had impactful seasons for the Pistons and look like foundational building blocks of their rebuild, which is impressive considering both were taken outside of the lottery.
Bey is one of the best rookie 3-point shooters of all time and has his eye on the NBA rookie record for made three’s.
Isaiah Stewart is arguably the best rookie defender this season, as he leads them all in blocked shots, rebounds and defensive point differential when he is on the floor.
Stewart already has one of the best nicknames in the NBA, and the Beef Stew shirts have hit the shelves to the delight of fans. Bey also has a great nickname but one Pistons’ beat writer has already gotten a Twitter ban for using it, so I’ll leave that one for now.
Fans of the Detroit Pistons aren’t the only ones taking notice, as Bey and Stewart are really starting to get some national recognition as well.
Detroit Pistons: Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart on the KIA Rookie Ladder
The KIA Rookie Ladder is ESPN’s weekly ranking of rookies and both Bey and Stewart have spent quite a lot of time on it this season.
Bey has been a fixture but hit a new high this week, coming in at 3rd just behind Anthony Edwards and 25-year-old Jae’Sean Tate.
Isaiah Stewart also hit a new high this week, moving from from 9th to 7th, though it should arguably be even higher after he put up 16.0 ppg, 14.3 rpg, 1.0 apg since the last edition while playing elite defense in the paint.
It’s possible that both will end up on the first-team All-Rookie this season and when you factor in the improved play of Killian Hayes, the Detroit Pistons have a lot to be excited about.
The Pistons are going to be good soon and these two guys are going to be a big part of it.