The Detroit Pistons have been under the microscope during Summer League after drafting Cade Cunningham with the overall number one pick.
He had some nice moments, including knocking down seven 3-pointers against the Knicks, and he has also shown leadership and the ability to set teammates up.
The Pistons featured 4-5 players who will likely be in the rotation, but it is still just Summer League, so we can’t put too much stock into anything.
There were some guys who helped their cases in Summer League, specifically Luka Garza, who is trying to prove that his shooting and offense are enough to overlook his foot speed and defense.
We haven’t learned much, but it has been nice to see some of these players for the first time and to see the strides made by the second year guys.
Detroit Pistons: The roster is pretty much complete
There are still a few roster battles that we will get into later this week, but for the most part, the Pistons’ roster is set.
We still have the Hamidou Diallo situation, as the Pistons could choose to re-sign him, but there is no reason for them to be in a hurry to do so, as they can match any offer and go over the cap to do it.
Luka Garza may have done enough to supplant Jahlil Okafor as the third center but other than that, I don’t think there were any big surprises in Summer League.
Unfortunately, there were three players who had tenuous roles prior to Summer League and didn’t really help their chances.
Detroit Pistons: Tyler Cook and Deividas Sirvydis are probably done in Detroit
Both Tyler Cook and Deividas Sirvydis were cut prior to Summer League but still invited to play for the Pistons.
I think Detroit likes both guys but just doesn’t have the roster space for them, so it would have taken an amazing Summer League showing from both to turn the Pistons’ heads.
Cook probably had the biggest chance, as he played well at times for Detroit and has shown some high-ceiling athleticism.
But Cook played terribly in the first Summer League game and has barely stepped on the floor since.
Sirvydis really only got a few minutes of mop-up duty and didn’t do much with them. He has exciting potential as a scorer, but still needs to show he can defend at an NBA level.
Both guys were probably hoping to get more run in Summer League so that they could show what they can do as an audition for another team, but I expect to see them on G-League teams instead.
The Cook and Sirvydis eras are probably over in Detroit barring an invite to play for the Cruise.
Detroit Pistons: What’s next for Sekou Doumbouya?
Sekou Doumbouya was another guy who wanted to have a strong Summer League to show the Pistons he is deserving of a bigger role.
Doumbouya recently asked “What’s next for me?” in response to a question about his future, and unfortunately we still don’t have the answer.
I was really hoping for Doumbouya to dominate Summer League, as he is entering his third season and has more experience even though he is still just 20-years-old.
Doumbouya did play well defensively for a couple of games, but then had to miss the last three due to a family obligation.
It’s unfortunate that Doumbouya didn’t get a few more games under his belt, as he needs the reps, especially if he is going to make the rotation this season.
With the additions of Isaiah Livers, Kelly Olynyk and Trey Lyles, Doumbouya’s minutes are not guaranteed and he could end up being the odd man out.
I am really pulling for the youngster, so it would have been nice to see him string together 4-5 strong Summer League games to show that he deserves a shot at backup power forward.
It’s not over for Doumbouya but he didn’t do much to help himself either.