Detroit Pistons: Ranking the 5 best defenders on the roster
Detroit Pistons best defenders #4- Killian Hayes
Hayes has only played 26 games for the Detroit Pistons, and hasn’t looked good offensively, but there are reasons for Pistons fans to be excited about his defense.
Killian has plus size for a point guard, which allows him to guard anyone on the perimeter, something that is going to be a huge advantage for the Pistons next season when he plays with Cade Cunningham.
Related Story. Ranking the Eastern Conference point guards: Where is Cade Cunningham?. light
Hayes averaged a steal per game in his short time with the Pistons last season, showing ability to get into passing lanes and be disruptive.
Here you can see him locking up Jalen Green in the Summer League:
This is some defense from Killian Hayes vs. Jalen Green. Good activity and pressure. Think we know what Green can do vs. space, how he handles pressure/activity/reads is interesting to me. Turbo button doesn't always work, have to set these plays up. pic.twitter.com/8sgDBIwMRJ
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) August 11, 2021
Hayes has great foot speed and strength that allows him to stay in front of guys and keep them from penetrating. He might have more potential than anyone on this list and I can’t wait to see him putting guys in jail next season.
Detroit Pistons best defenders #3- Cade Cunningham
If you watch highlights of Cunningham in college you will see a guy who has superstar potential on both ends.
Cunningham is quick enough to stay in front of guards and big enough to defend up, and I expect we will see him guard 1-5 at different points next season.
Cunningham averaged 1.6 steals and just under a block per game in college and exceeded those numbers in the Summer League, increasing his blocks to 1.3 per game while maintaining his steal numbers.
The Detroit Pistons have one of the best young backcourts in the NBA and it will be fun watching these two lock down the perimeter with Saddiq Bey.