The Detroit Pistons are currently going through one of their worst injury stretches of the season, something Isaiah Livers knows a little about.
Livers has had to miss most of his rookie season with injury but has come on lately, making an impact with his 3-point shooting and passing.
He should see increased minutes down the stretch, as he and Marvin Bagley III have been a boost to the bench.
But right now he might be a lot more than a bench role player, as the Pistons are missing Frank Jackson, Hamidou Diallo, Jerami Grant and have both Cade Cunningham and Rodney McGruder questionable for tonight’s game as well.
This will give Livers a chance to shine in increased minutes, as he did against he Miami Heat, leading the Detroit comeback before Miami ultimately took over and won the game.
It will also give the Detroit Pistons a chance to showcase him in some other roles to see how he might fit in the future.
Can Isaiah Livers play shooting guard for the Detroit Pistons?
If Cunningham and McGruder are both out tonight, we could see a rotation that looks something like this:
- Cory Joseph/Killian Hayes
- Isaiah Livers/Saben Lee
- Saddiq Bey
- Kelly Olynyk/Marvin Bagley III
- Isaiah Stewart/Luka Garza
Obviously, this is not the ideal rotation for Detroit, but I will be interested to see if Livers can hold his own against shooting guards, as it would give the Pistons a lot of options moving forward.
Livers gives the Pistons shooting they lack otherwise and would open up the floor for Cade Cunningham. He would also give the Pistons a giant backcourt with a lot of defensive versatility and the ability to create mismatches on the other end.
Before the season is over, I would love to see Cade, Livers, Bey, Grant and Bagley/Stewart on the floor together to see how this group gels and if Livers’ shooting could help some of their woes on offense.
The game tonight could be ugly with so many players out, but it does give Detroit a chance to try some things out before the offseason.