Detroit Pistons: This has been a masterclass in tanking

Detroit Pistons: Tank with purpose

There is nothing worse than watching a tanking team that has no point.

The Detroit Pistons have spent the season getting valuable reps for rookies Killian Hayes, Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart, who are playing hard and learning the game.

I love the fact that they’ve been competing all season and didn’t have to resort to giving up to complete their tank. I don’t care how good they are, no team is going to win running with three rookies, but you can have success without winning games.

The Pistons have two rookies likely to make the All-Rookie team, Killian Hayes, who has been very good the last few games and Saben Lee, who has also shown flashes of being a future rotation player.

If you look at the tanking teams, the Detroit Pistons are really the only one other than OKC who has managed to lose games while developing young talent. I know Houston technically has a high-performing “rookie” but he is 25-years-old.

There is a big difference between losing with young guys who are the future of the team than there is losing with mediocre veterans who might not even be in the league next season.

All of the Pistons’ rookies have improved this season and will now have a full offseason of training and work to get even better.

The Pistons have the foundation of their team and already got them a year of seasoning, which is more than any of the other tanking teams can say.