Pistons: This player (not Cade Cunningham) will be key to improvement

The Detroit Pistons are a young and rebuilding team hoping to make the next step in their restoration in the 2021-22 season behind number one pick Cade Cunningham.

I’ve written about some realistic team goals for next season, one of which is to play meaningful games down the stretch, hopefully in the hunt for a spot in the play-in tournament.

Though I ultimately think the Pistons will come up short, if they can at least take the next step in their timeline for contention, I will be happy.

With Cade Cunningham and Kelly Olynyk on board, I expect the Detroit Pistons to win more games next season and it would be disappointing if they took a step back, which seems unlikely considering they only won 20 games last season.

Whether the Pistons ultimately take that next step and play some meaningful games next season may come down to one X-Factor: point guard Killian Hayes.

Detroit Pistons: Killian Hayes will be the X-Factor next season, not Cade Cunningham

If you look up and down the Pistons’ roster, it is fairly easy to predict what they’ll get from most of the guys on it.

I expect Cade Cunningham to make an immediate impact but also to struggle at times. Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart should both be better, as they played for the Olympic Select team this offseason, which should be great for their development.

Kelly Olynyk will do his thing, as will Jerami Grant, as both have established themselves as players. Guys like Hamidou Diallo, Josh Jackson and Frank Jackson should continue to be quality role players with flaws.

Saben Lee showed enough to predict that he’ll be better as a penetrating guard who can get after it on defense, so the only really big question mark is around Killian Hayes.

Hayes only played 26 games last season, and though he did flash some signs of plus defense and passing, his offensive game and shooting left a lot to be desired.

There are also questions about how he will fit with Cade Cunningham, as both want to have the ball in their hands and initiate the offense. Cunningham’s shot and all-around offensive game are already light years ahead of Hayes’, so it’s really going to be on Killian to figure out how he fits in, as this is Cade’s team now.

If Hayes can improve his shooting and decision making, the Pistons could have a dynamic backcourt with two big guys who can defend and make plays. If so, I have no doubt that they can be within shouting distance of the play-in tournament.

If he continues to struggle with this shot, makes poor choices with the ball and isn’t aggressive looking for his offense, then the Pistons might end up with a top-5 pick again and enter year two of the pairing with the same questions they have now.