The Detroit Pistons are clearly trying to build around their defense and it is working.
Dwane Casey recently said that his goal for next season was for the Pistons to have a top-ten defense.
#Pistons Dwane Casey said his goal is to be a top-10 defensive team next year.
— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) April 30, 2021
Considering the Pistons are 17th in defense this season, it seems like a lofty goal, but if you take a closer look at the numbers, the Pistons are well on their way there.
They have been much better since jettisoning Blake Griffin, climbing five spots in that time and have tightened things up even more over the last ten, allowing just 108 points per game, which would put them in the top-6 if carried over a whole season.
I predict that the Detroit Pistons will absolutely have a top-ten defense next season. Here’s why.
Detroit Pistons: Defense will get better with rookie growth
The Detroit Pistons have been starting three rookies over the last several games and all three have shown signs of being plus defenders.
Killian Hayes is averaging nearly two steals a game in his last ten and has played smothering defense at times. Saddiq Bey has been versatile on the perimeter all season and came into the league with a solid defensive resume that has only gotten stronger.
Isaiah Stewart might be the best rookie defender in his class, is leading all rookies in blocked shots and is one of the most switchable big man defenders in the league already.
He’s been getting some attention for his ability to defend point guards, and when you factor in Jerami Grant, Josh Jackson and Hamidou Diallo, the Pistons are loaded with versatility and talent on the defensive end.
The rookies are doing this without the benefit of much of an offseason or training camp, so they are going to be even better with another year of growth and learning in an NBA system and working with NBA trainers.
Detroit Pistons: Defenders will have more defined roles
Defense is a combination of a lot of individual and team skills.
The team obviously has to have athletic and willing defenders who hustle and give maximum individual effort.
But it is also about communication, knowing where your teammates are going to be and knowing your role.
The Pistons have used about 7,000 different lineup combinations this season, have had no regular starting lineups or rotations and have used players in a number of different roles.
I expect that to change next season, when their starting five will be more regular and their bench players will know their roles.
The Detroit Pistons will have a full offseason, Summer League and training camp to get to know each other better, to improve their communication and to gel in the ways teams need to if they want to be a top defense.
Knowing your role is a crucial part of defense and the Pistons will know more about themselves and their teammates with more time together.
Detroit Pistons: The Pistons will add more talent
Troy Weaver has had an impressive first season as Pistons’ GM and has shown that he not only has an eye for talent but has a vision for how to build a team.
That vision clearly revolves around defense first, which is smart, as all of the top teams in the NBA are also tops in defense.
Whether it is in the NBA Draft, free agency or trades, Weaver is going to target guys who have skill on the defensive end and play hard, so it’s very likely that the Pistons will add more impact talent on that end.
Someone like Jalen Green would help solidify their perimeter defense or they could go with a big like Evan Mobley, who would improve their rim protection.
This is also contingent on them getting a top pick in the draft, but even if the Pistons drop, they should be able to add another guy who can defend.
The combination of rookie growth, more defined roles and another injection of talent should be enough to get the Detroit Pistons in the top-ten defensively next season.
Now they just need to work on the offense.