The Detroit Pistons signed free agent Kelly Olynyk, which should be a big help in the development of Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes.
I thought the Olynyk signing was a great move, as they were able to upgrade from Mason Plumlee, add shooting and do it without spending a ton of money.
Olynyk is the type of player the Pistons lacked last season, as he is a big who can stretch the floor and knock down 3-point shots, something Plumlee could not do.
The Pistons now have the future superstar in Cade Cunningham, and a nice combination of high-upside young guys in Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart and Killian Hayes and two talented veterans in Jerami Grant and Kelly Olynyk.
The Detroit Pistons are ready to compete for a playoff spot now, and set up to add a star next offseason and get in the mix for real.
I also think Kelly Olynyk is going to help young point guards Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes reach their full potential.
Detroit Pistons: Kelly Olynyk provides a big target for Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes
Both Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes are excellent passers who now have a 6-foot-11 target to find on the perimeter and in the post.
Hayes showcased his passing down the stretch, averaging more than five assists per game, but even more importantly he was getting 10.5 potential assists per game.
With few shooters to take advantage of his passing, Killian often set his teammates up for good looks that they didn’t knock down.
Same for Cade Cunningham, who was surrounded by bricklayers at OSU. It got so bad that there is an entire Reddit thread dedicated to his potential assists.
Olynyk will be able to take advantage of these guards’ ability to get into the lane and set up teammates, something that is going to raise both of their assist averages and turn some of those “potential” assists into real ones.