Detroit Pistons: Offseason moves mean Doumbouya’s days are numbered

Detroit Pistons bring in power forwards who can shoot three. Problem?

New free agent signee Trey Lyles does not score a lot of points, but he fills his role as a stretch-four well. In his last two seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, Lyles shot 38 percent from three-point range. He is a very average backup option who would fill his role and play it well behind Grant. The 25-year-old power forward is, importantly, a more reliable three-point shooter than Doumbouya.

Olynyk is more of a center than a power forward, but the 6-11 big man can play the four spot if Detroit wants to put out a big lineup. The 30-year-old shoots a career 36.7 percent from beyond the arc and made 39.5% during his time in Houston.

The big man has proven he can play the power forward position well, as he was the four next to Christian Wood during his short tenure with the Houston Rockets. Olynyk is a versatile big man who can play in pick-and-rolls and pick-and-pops. His shooting ability, size, and rebounding are all edges the eight-year veteran has over Doumbouya.

Livers was the 42nd pick of the 2021 NBA Draft. The former Michigan Wolverine is a combo forward who is best suited at the power forward position. Livers is the ideal stretch four in the modern NBA. In four years with the Wolverines, Livers shot a career 41.2 percent on three-pointers.

Livers’ off-ball movement will transition well from college to the pros. He’ll never be more than a catch-and-shoot or pick-and-pop threat, but the forward will fill that role as well as anybody.

The trio of Lyles, Olynyk, and Livers have an edge over Doumbouya for backup power forward minutes at the moment. Most importantly, the trio of forwards all have the ability to reliably stretch the floor, something Doumbouya has not been able to do.

With the switch from Mason Plumlee to Olynyk as the veteran center, it is obvious the Pistons are looking for spacing on offense, so Cunningham has the lane open to him.

It is also important to note that Doumbouya is the last remaining player from the pre-Troy Weaver era in Detroit. The second-year GM quickly dismantled the previous regime’s roster (even though the previous regime still hold its titles). Trading Doumbouya could just be the final roster move to make the Pistons roster completely in Weaver’s image.

Detroit’s offseason moves appear to indicate that Doumbouya’s time with the Pistons could be nearing its end. Weaver added plenty of depth at the power forward position. Being the last remnant of the previous regime is not a favorable situation either.

There is the possibility that Doumbouya spends the season with Detroit’s G-League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise, but the writing seems to be on the wall for the young forward.

Doumbouya is entering the third year of his contract. It would be to the Pistons’ benefit to trade him before he is on the final year of his rookie deal. Trading him now would be selling low, but there would also likely be more buyers.

Unless the 20-year-old takes a massive jump in performance and consistency heading into year three, it is hard to see Doumbouya on Detroit’s roster past the trade deadline next season.