Detroit Pistons: Projecting 3 situational lineups for 2021-22
Detroit Pistons three-point shooting lineup: Cade Cunningham, Frank Jackson, Saddiq Bey, Jerami Grant, Kelly Olynyk
The Detroit Pistons were a poor three-point shooting team last season.
That is a line many Pistons fans have heard throughout last season and this current offseason.
But it is true. The team was abysmal from beyond the arc in 2020-21. The team ranked 22nd in the league in both three-pointers made and shooting percentage from long range. As a team, Detroit shot 35.1 percent on three-pointers last season.
When Detroit is in need of three-point shooting to fight their way back into games or push a lead beyond their opponent’s reach, the team cannot afford to have players like Hayes, Doumbouya, or Josh Jackson on the court.
This lineup of Cunningham, Frank Jackson, Bey, Grant, and Olynyk removes any possible shooting liabilities from the floor.
Cunningham shot 40 percent on 5.7 three-pointers per game in his lone season with the Oklahoma State Cowboys. The 19-year-old’s shooting looks like it will seamlessly translate to the NBA level. Cunningham shot 50 percent on three-pointers during his time in the Summer League.
Having the 19-year-old rookie in this lineup will also keep a great playmaker and solid defender on the court for Detroit as well. Cunningham and Olynyk can run pick-and-pops in this lineup. This will maximize floor spacing and cause trouble for opposing defenses.
Teams will have to decide whether to bring a help defender in to stop Cunningham from driving to the basket or stay home on their man. In either situation, Cunningham will have an easy kick out to a good shooter on the perimeter, or he will have a one-on-one matchup with his defender.
Jackson was one of the few great shooters on Detroit’s roster last season. The 23-year-old was one of three Pistons players who shot over 40 percent from three on at least one three-point attempt per game. Jackson enjoyed a career year as a Piston last season. His play greatly benefited from a move to an off-ball shooting role rather than a point guard role.
The 23-year-old shot 40.7 percent from three-point range last season on 3.8 attempts per game. Jackson can thrive as an off-ball shooter. He moves well off screens and will knock down his catch-and-shoot opportunities with ease.
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Bey is looking to build off of his stellar rookie season heading into 2021-22. The 22-year-old was named to the NBA’s All-Rookie first team last season, and for good reason.
Bey quickly fought his way into Detroit’s starting lineup last season. The 22-year-old shot 38 percent on 6.6 attempts from beyond the arc per game. The young wing has shown he can be a volume shooter while still knocking down his shots at an above-average percentage.
As Bey develops his cutting and on-ball scoring, he will become an even bigger offensive threat for Detroit next season.
Last year, Grant had his worst three-point shooting season since the 2017-18 season. The 27-year-old breakout star saw his efficiency dip from the floor as a whole. It comes as no big surprise. Grant shouldered the majority of Detroit’s offense last season. the journeyman turned potential all-star was the only player Casey could really rely on to get a bucket last season.
Being so heavily relied on and at times being the only one who could be relied on made Grant susceptible to a down year in his shooting efficiency. It appears that is going to change this season.
With the addition of Cunningham as an additional go-to scorer and the further development of young players like Bey and Stewart, Grant will not have to shoulder as much of the offensive load as he did last year. The 27-year-old will face less pressure from defenses next season.
In this lineup, Grant can run pick-and-pop and pick-and-rolls with Cunningham. The pair will make for a strong offensive duo in any lineup they are in. Grant can take a backseat and just become an off-ball shooter, or he can take control and be the go-to scorer in this lineup as well.
His versatility makes him a great asset to have in any lineup.
The addition of Olynyk this offseason was a clear attempt to push for better floor spacing. The Pistons dumped Mason Plumlee off to the Charlotte Hornets to make room for Olynyk on the team’s roster. While the team lost Plumlee’s playmaking from the post, Olynyk adds a three-point shooting threat from the center position that Plumlee never could.
Olynyk’s role in this lineup is obvious. Space the floor and make room for Cunningham and Grant to drive to the basket. It is that simple and it is a role Olynyk will have no issues fulfilling. The career 36.7 percent three-point shooter will space the floor and be a reliable catch-and-shoot option on kick-out passes when defenders help off him.
This lineup optimizes floor spacing without sacrificing defense or playmaking. It would come as no surprise if this situational lineup was a regular staple for Detroit game-in and game-out.