The Detroit Pistons have four promising rookies in Saddiq Bey Isaiah Stewart, Killian Hayes and Saben Lee, two of whom are older than second-year forward Sekou Doumbouya.
Troy Weaver talked about these four rookies as the “core four” neglecting to mention Doumbouya when it comes to the team’s future plans.
Doumbouya is the longest-tenured Piston even though he is still only 20-years-old and he is the last player remaining that Troy Weaver didn’t either draft, sign or trade for.
That’s why Sekou Doumbouya could eventually be the odd man out.
Detroit Pistons: Will the Pistons trade Sekou Doumbouya?
I discussed some of the pros and cons of trading Sekou Doumbouya, and it really boils down to whether it is better to give up on a guy early if you think he is not going to work out.
Doumbouya joined the Pistons as a very raw player who they knew was going to need some time, but his lack of progress has to be troubling to the Pistons’ new front office, who didn’t choose Doumbouya and might not have the same dedication to him as they do the players they did pick.
With the announcement that Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart made the All-Rookie team, it is clear which players the Pistons are going to build around along with whoever they add in this year’s NBA Draft.
So where does Sekou Doumbouya fit in?
The truth is that he might not.
Doumbouya had trouble getting minutes on a 20-win team that was actively tanking down the stretch. Though he did play in the last 30 games, his play hardly inspired confidence and Doumbouya actually looked like he might have regressed from his rookie season, when he had a few huge games and looked more athletic than he did this season.
Depending on who the Pistons take in the NBA Draft, Doumbouya could find himself on the outside looking in again, especially if the Pistons end up drafting someone like Evan Mobley.
The Pistons already have Jerami Grant and Saddiq Bey locked in at forwards and Stewart will also play some at the four, as will Tyler Cook.
If the Pistons end up taking another forward in the draft or picking one up in free agency or trade, Doumbouya is going to struggle to get minutes once again and may be more valuable as a trade chip.
I don’t think the Pistons should give up on Doumbouya yet, but the writing is on the wall for the young forward if he doesn’t make some big progress this offseason.