What if Sekou Doumbouya plays well and fits perfectly for Detroit Pistons
If Sekou Doumbouya plays well and fits into the model general manager Troy Weaver has established, then all will be well.
He was known to pass too much to the point where it was a fault. If that were to be toned down but he still managed to play unselfish basketball, Doumbouya would be a real asset to the future of the team.
Entering the 2019 Draft, Doumbouya was touted as a top 20 pick just because of his defense. If his defense emerges as promised, then not only does Detroit have a solid post player on offense who can find the open man, but they would also have another elite presence on defense.
Doumbouya is also a good rebounder, with a lot of potential to grow. His rebounding percentage was eighth best on the team, but his offensive rebounding ability was sixth, behind Mason Plumlee and Isaiah Stewart, who are remarkably good at hitting the offensive boards
If he can improve his offensive rebounding just a little and add to his defensive rebounding repertoire as well, then the Pistons could be known as the City of Second Chance Points.
Basically, if all goes well then Doumbouya can bring some defense and rebounding as well as unselfish play, all wrapped up in a competitive and athletic post scorer.
Doumbouya Excels But Doesn’t Fit
Have I mentioned that he’s still only 21-years-old? Maybe he becomes a decent player, just not the player the Pistons were hoping he would be. Well then, the Pistons can pick up his option, which for a good player is a steal, and trade him elsewhere, maybe for established talent to help them win now, or some draft picks just in case another prospect they want comes along (and to make up for the FOUR second-round picks they gave the Clippers in the Luke Kennard trade).
Having a good player like Doumbouya who just doesn’t fit isn’t a bad thing. Let’s be honest, the Pistons will be competing for maybe the seven seed at best next season but will be trying to avoid the lottery again, so it could be the year to experiment. Maybe by the end of the year, Sekou is fitting in, or maybe he’s an asset to be used in a trade next summer, or even earlier.
Athletic combo forwards are a dime a dozen in the NBA, but most of them are older and don’t have a pass-first mentality. Some of them lack on defense as well.
If Doumbouya ends up being an Isaiah Stewart clone (except taller and lankier) then he can be shipped out for assets. If he fits in the rotation, then he can stay. As long as the Pistons find out what kind of player he is this year, then they can move him or keep him as they see fit.