Why it’s impossible for Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons to tank

Which veterans do the Detroit Pistons “rest”?

The classic tank move for young teams that start winning “meaningless” games down the stretch of a losing season is to “rest” the veterans, usually with nebulous injuries that cost them a few games.

But who exactly are the Pistons going to rest? There are only two candidates, Jerami Grant and Kelly Olynyk, otherwise, all of the big minutes are being played by the young guys.

Jerami Grant is playing well of late and has been a better fit in the offense than before his injury. It’s been Cade Cunningham and Saddiq Bey taking most of the shots and he’s been playing out of isolation less frequently.

Sitting him is the obvious tank move, but the Detroit Pistons are also trying to see how this fits together as they go into the offseason with a decision to make about Jerami Grant. Are they going to trade him? Could this squad (with Grant) contend for the playoffs next season with the right free-agent acquisition and draft pick?

There are real reasons for Cade, Bey, Grant and Isaiah Stewart as many reps as possible together this season so that Detroit can make a more informed decision in the offseason.

As for Kelly Olynyk, he’s not playing particularly well right now anyway, but the Pistons could use Luka Garza a little more down the stretch off the bench.

Other than that, there aren’t really any veterans to bench, as Cory Joseph isn’t exactly winning the Pistons any games right now. I am sure we’ll see more of Killian Hayes over Joseph in the final games, but that will probably increase their chances of winning.

We’ll likely see less of Olynyk and Joseph, but Jerami Grant is going to be out there as the Pistons try to build for their future.