The Detroit Pistons have added talent and versatility around Cade Cunningham this offseason, which has opened up a lot of possibilities.
He has more options for kick-outs and lobs, with better shooters and playmakers on the perimeter and big men who can finish above the rim.
With guys like Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Livers, forwards who can defend multiple spots, Detroit has the option to go small and has a number of different lineups they could employ in different situations.
Regardless of who starts, the additions of Nerlens Noel and Alec Burks will add some depth to the bench and hopefully make that unit at lot more dangerous than it was last season.
The Pistons’ bench had a negative point differential and were 27th in the league in that department last season. That should hopefully change this season, as Detroit can unleash some really interesting bench units.
Detroit Pistons: A bench lineup fans are eager to see
I am sure some of these players will start games for the Detroit Pistons at some point next season, but they will also get some run as a bench unit:
- Killian Hayes
- Alec Burks
- Hamidou Diallo
- Isaiah Livers
- Jalen Duren
I really love the balance of this group, with Killian Hayes as the playmaking guard flanked by shooting with Burks and Livers.
Duren is already a lob threat out of the pick-and-roll and draws defenders to the lane by aggressively rolling to the rim, something that should open up space for the shooters.
Diallo gives this group added athleticism and rebounding, so there is a nice balance of offense, defense, shooting and athleticism.
It’s the type of lineup where every player would be allowed to utilize their individual strengths, which are complementary to the other guys in the group.
With a lot of new faces added to a group that was starting to gel last season, the Detroit Pistons should be in a much better position to improve, especially off the bench, which could be a weapon this season instead of a negative.