Some promising numbers for the future of Saddiq Bey

The Detroit Pistons did some things post All-Star break that should have fans excited.

Cade Cunningham was one of only a handful of rookies to ever average 20/5/5 after the break and played like a future superstar at times.

Isaiah Stewart gained confidence as a shooter, knocking down over 50 percent of his 3-point shots down the stretch.

Before the season-ending injury to Grant, the Pistons the trio of Jerami Grant, Saddiq Bey and Cade Cunningham were playing well together, showing potential as the Big 3 the Pistons could build around. The three had a solid +8.1 net rating together after the All-Star break.

Saddiq Bey had an up and down season that included a couple of lengthy slumps, something he is going to have to overcome in the future, as the Pistons need him to be less streaky and more consistent, especially from behind-the-arc.

But there were two promising statistics from his season that showed a bright future and how he could be the perfect fit with Cade Cunningham.

Detroit Pistons: Saddiq Bey on the catch-and-shoot 3-pointer

Saddiq Bey’s overall 3-point percentage dropped to 34 percent this season, mostly due to a couple of stretches where he couldn’t hit anything. He should be more consistent in year three, when he’ll be doing less experimenting with his offensive game.

Even though he didn’t shoot an elite percentage, Saddiq Bey made the 4th-most catch-and-shoot 3-point shots in the NBA this season according to Second Spectrum (SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED).

This is something the Detroit Pistons lacked overall and is exactly what Cade Cunningham needs, as his gravity draws in defenders from the perimeter and leaves shooters open. Cade is going to be doing most of the creating, so having a guy who is a volume catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter is crucial, as it will force defenses to honor the perimeter when Cade penetrates.

Bey is already hitting them in volume, now he just needs to be more accurate. If he is closer to 40 percent next season overall, it is not only going to benefit his isolation game but will open things up for Cunningham.

Saddiq Bey’s isolation game

There was much talk about how Bey was trying to add to his offensive bag early in the season, as he was clearly trying to become more than just a catch-and-shoot 3-point specialist.

The results weren’t always there early on, but as the season went on, Bey got a lot better at creating for himself.

In the second half of the season, Bey climbed all the way into the upper half of the NBA in efficiency out of isolation plays. Although this isn’t something the Pistons want him to be doing all of the time, showing that he can back players down, get to his spots and hit shots is important to open up 3-point shooting for him, as well as his teammates. When defenses have to start doubling Bey and paying attention to him as both a shooter and in isolation, the Pistons are going to be much more difficult to defend.

The next step will be getting better at passing out of isolation, as Bey had tunnel vision at times, though did improve overall as a playmaker.

A volume catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter on the wing who can occasionally penetrate and get his own shot is pretty much the ideal player to put with Cade Cunningham.

Bey wasn’t quite there this season but the numbers are pointing towards a bright future.