Detroit Pistons: The key to Saben Lee’s development

Detroit Pistons: Saben Lee will come off the bench for Detroit next season

The likelihood of Lee becoming a starting point guard for Detroit is practically zero. The team invested the seventh overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft in another point guard in Hayes, and after landing the first overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft Lottery, Oklahoma State point guard Cade Cunningham is also very likely to join the mix.

Cunningham and Hayes will likely share the backcourt as Detroit’s two starting guards next season. That leaves the backup point guard spot wide open for Lee to take.

The backup role will provide Lee a great opportunity to develop his game. He may have to share time on the ball with either Hayes or Cunningham at times, but running with Detroit’s second unit should provide him ample opportunities to be the lead ball-handler when Detroit’s starters are resting.

Consistent touches and more consistent playing time will allow Lee to settle into his role with the Pistons rather than needing to fight for minutes like he did last season. In a more consistent role, Lee can take assert himself on the offensive end and play to his strengths.

In college, the 6-2 point guard had a knack for attacking the basket. Many of Lee’s draft profiles cited his ability to score at the rim as one of his main strengths. In the NBA, finishing at the basket has continued to be where Lee is most comfortable. 81.5 percent of Lee’s field goal attempts last season came within 10 feet of the basket.

With consistent minutes, Lee would be able to not only further develop his ability to finish at the rim, but also extend himself to becoming a better shooter from three. Lee only took 4.4 shot attempts per contest in his rookie season, a big dip from his 12.9 attempts per game in his final year at Vanderbilt.

Lee can become more aggressive as a scorer in a bigger role in Detroit’s rotation. While he is very unlikely to attempt over 10 shots per game next year, the young point guard would benefit from having a more prominent role as a scorer off the bench. Developing his three-point shooting to be at league average would go a long way towards his role expanding in Detroit’s offense.

While an expanded role will provide the 22-year-old with more chances at the basket, he will still face struggles with finding scoring opportunities and efficiency. In those moments he will be able to fall back on his ability to be an effective playmaker for his teammates.

Lee assisted on 33.2 percent of his teammates made field goals while he was on the floor. That assist percentage is similar to fellow rookie Lamelo Ball who assisted on 33.9 percent of his teammates made field goals. Lee may not be a flashy passer, but he is an effective one. When he struggles to score the basketball, his ability to be an effective facilitator will keep him on the court.

If Lee is given consistent minutes, he can develop into a leader for the Pistons’ second unit. As the primary ball-handler of Detroit’s bench unit, Lee will have the opportunity to develop into one of the best bench scorers for the Pistons. If he is not given consistent minutes, the young point guard may be better off receiving a year of development with Detroit’s G-League team.

Lee is going to be at his best in a bench role. The 22-year-old can be a spark of energy for Detroit’s second unit as he develops into a more consistent scorer and improves his playmaking. Playing with the bench unit will allow Lee to be the lead ball-handler while he is on the floor which will give him the most opportunity to reach his full potential as his role with the team grows.