Depending on your level of optimism going into the season, the Detroit Pistons are pretty much right where you expected or a disappointment.
Many fans thought the young team might make a leap after drafting Cade Cunningham, but the Pistons are headed for another season in low 20’s for wins.
It looks as though they will improve from last season’s 20-win campaign, but not by much, and they would have to go 8-10 down the stretch to hit the over for their preseason win total.
But for the most part, it’s been a good year of development for their young players. Cade Cunningham gets better every game and has improved some of his early-season problems with turnovers.
Saddiq Bey has added to his game and looks like a core piece moving forward and Isaiah Stewart has come on of late, really honing his defense and adding a lot of hustle stats.
Jerami Grant is about where we thought he’d be, though he had to miss a lot of games with an injured thumb and Hamidou Diallo has progressed as planned.
But there are two guys who have been disappointments this season for the Detroit Pistons, and that doesn’t include Killian Hayes, who many fans would add to the disappointing list.
Detroit Pistons: Why I didn’t choose Killian Hayes
I know a lot of fans are disappointed with Killian Hayes’ lack of progress on the offensive end this season.
But I didn’t have high expectations for the youngster after he had to miss so many games last year, as this is a essentially his rookie season 1.5 and he is still just 20-years-old.
I do think Hayes has improved as a defender and facilitator this year even if his overall offensive game has not developed much.
He has handled his move to the bench well, and looks like a guy who can make an impact without scoring much, similar to Marcus Smart, who is a key player for a good Celtics team even though he is not prolific offensively.
Year three will be a huge one for Killian Hayes, as he will have to make some strides as a shooter and finisher to stay part of the long-term plans, but year two has gone pretty much how I thought it would.
My expectations were low and he has met them.
For the next two guys, that is not the case.