The Detroit Pistons are not getting enough offense out of their starting lineup and something has to change.
The Pistons have the second-highest scoring bench in the NBA this season after leading the league in that category last year, so the bench hasn’t really been the problem.
But part of the reason the Pistons have such a high-scoring bench is that they are forced to play a lot of minutes when their starters cannot get it done offensively.
It really isn’t that the Pistons’ bench is that great, it’s just been that their starters have been awful, which is why Dwane Casey may have to make some changes.
Casey was livid after last night’s drubbing by the Bucks and called out his team’s effort, which is usually a sign that something is about to shift.
Here is the starting lineup and rotation I’d like to see at least until the Detroit Pistons start making some shots.
Detroit Pistons starting lineup: Changes may be coming
In order to inject some more offense into the starting five, coach Casey is going to have to sit one of his young guys, which is not something we want, but at this point, something has to give.
I’d also like to see Casey shorten his rotation for now and get some fresh blood in there, even if it means benching some of the “shooters.”
- PG: Killian Hayes- Cory Joseph
- SG: Cade Cunningham- Hamidou Diallo
- SF: Saddiq Bey- Josh Jackson
- PF: Jerami Grant- Trey Lyles
- C: Kelly Olynyk- Isaiah Stewart
I’d love to see Casey start the two young guards together but put one of them on the bench after about five minutes to stagger their time on the court so that there is always a playmaker and they can both get the chance to run the offense, which is what they do well.
Frank Jackson has been flat-out awful so far, so I’d love to see his minutes go to Hamidou Diallo, who can’t shoot either but at least can defend his position, rebound and run the floor. The Pistons aren’t getting enough easy shots, partially because they shoot too many 3’s and don’t get enough defensive rebounds to start fast breaks. Maybe putting Diallo in there will help that.
Josh Jackson is on thin ice as well even though he has played decently defensively. He still can’t shoot and makes far too many dumb decisions with the ball, which has also not helped the offense. But for now he is one of the Pistons’ best defenders and they really don’t have anyone else. But if JJ doesn’t turn things around soon, we may see Saben Lee taking more minutes at guard.
The big change would be moving Kelly Olynyk into the starting lineup. This is something that needs to happen, as he is at least a threat to score, which Isaiah Stewart has not really been so far.
This would leave the Pistons light on shooting in the second unit, but would give them a solid defensive team that could at least get stops and try to push in transition.
It’s not like anyone is playing well, so I wouldn’t expect these changes to make a massive difference, but something that to be done to spark this offense.