The Detroit Pistons debuted five different rookies this season and all of them showed promise, but they all still have a ways to go.
Killian Hayes, Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart, Saben Lee and Deividas Sirvydis have all given Pistons’ fans something to be excited about this season.
Hayes has flashed potentially elite defense and passing. Bey is one of the greatest rookie 3-point shooters of all time. Stewart might be the best defender in his rookie class and is a guy who looks like he could lead the NBA in blocked shots someday.
Lee has been in and out of the rotation but has been a productive scorer and table setter when he has gotten minutes. Even Sirvydis has flashed some potential late in the season, though he has gotten the fewest minutes of the group.
Each has a skill that is already NBA-ready but there is plenty more they need to add to their respective games.
Here is the next step in the progression of each Pistons’ rookie.
Detroit Pistons: Deividas Sirvydis needs to hit the weight room
Sirvydis has shown flashes of being a guy who could fill one of the Pistons’ biggest offseason needs, which is shooting.
The 6-foot-8 guard/wing definitely has some potential in that department, as he has the size and stroke to be able to knock them down from long range, as he has shown a few times in the brief run he’s gotten.
He has an offensive bag but right now I have no idea who he can defend in the NBA, as he is only 190 lbs., far too small to body most of the wings in the league.
Is he fast enough to stay in front of two-guards?
Sirvydis is going to need to put on some weight and strength if he has any chance to compete on the defensive end, so the next step for him is to hit the weight room and put in a full offseason of work on his body.
He has some Danilo Gallinari potential on the offensive end but needs to get stronger if he wants to be a part of the rotation next season.