Charlie Moore could muddy Pistons point guard situation

Charlie Moore is not your normal rookie point guard – in many ways. With the Detroit Pistons shorthanded due to injuries, the University of Miami product stepped up, and helped lead them to victories in two summer league games.

With Killian Hayes pulled out of the lineup after one game, and then Jaden Ivey and Saben Lee suffering injuries in the second game of the Las Vegas Summer League, that left undrafted rookie Charlie Moore as Detroit’s only true point guard for the remainder of the games.

How did Moore do? Pretty, pretty good, as noted basketball expert Larry David might say.

In its final game in Vegas, Moore scored 21 points and dished out eight assists (to just four turnovers) as well as netting five rebounds, to lead Detroit to a 102-86 thrashing of the Orlando Magic.

In its previous contest, Moore had seven assists (one turnover) to help rally the Pistons from a 23-point deficit and almost defeat a Cleveland Cavaliers team that was playing all of its top draft picks.

Moore had stood out since he took the court, during the second game of summer league, when he saw his first action (he did not play in the opener) and notched four assists in his first two minutes.

With Ivey going down in the first five minutes, followed by the other starting guard, Lee, hurting his ankle early in the second half, Moore took over running the team.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder had seven assists in 15 minutes to help the Pistons to a 105-99 victory against the Washington Wizards.

For a guy who was not even invited to participate in the NBA Draft Combine, Moore really stood out. He told Michele Kaufman of the Miami Herald at the start of league play, he was not nervous about going against high draft picks, and players with several years in the NBA.

"“I don’t feel pressure, I try not to get too high or too low,” Moore said. “If you focus on the details and do everything they ask, there is no pressure. I am learning the new concepts and getting adjusted to the coaching staff and new players. The key is getting in rhythm, finding your game but also playing with these great players.”"

Moore came to Las Vegas with no expectations and turned himself into a player to watch. The Pistons summer league experience would have been much more negative if Moore had not stepped up.

But, looking at his college career, Moore is used to adjusting to different circumstances. After being named Mr. Illinois Basketball at Morgan Park High School, Moore has made a lot of stops between Chicago and Las Vegas.

Charlie Moore had many stops en route to the Detroit Pistons

Moore is the opposite of the 18/19-year-old one-and-dones who populate many summer league rosters.

He turned 24 last February and spent six years in college, playing for four different programs (Cal, Kansas, DePaul, Miami (Fla.). As a rookie, if Moore makes the Pistons, he would be older than nine other players, including four-year NBA veteran Marvin Bagley III (and six years older than fellow rookie Jalen Duren)

The day after the draft, Moore inked a deal (along with fellow Hurricane guard Kameron McGusty) to play for the Pistons summer league team.

Moore had a fine career in all of his college stops. He led the ACC in steals with Miami and had a career average of 11.1 points playing against elite competition.

His age and size worked against him getting drafted, but Moore undoubtedly opened some eyes due to his performance with the Pistons.

The question is, did Moore do enough to convince general manager Troy Weaver and coach Dwane Casey he should be invited to training camp. And, if he is, how does that effect Detroit’s guard depth chart?

What are Charlie Moore’s chances with Detroit Pistons?

Unlike some of the other players, like Stanley Umude, Moore was not playing in Las Vegas on an Exhibit 10 contract, which brings an automatic invitation to training camp. He was signed just for summer league, so Detroit’s obligation to him has now ended.

Moore certainly earned a tryout in training camp with his play but the Pistons right now (and we emphasize right now) are hip deep in point guards, or players who can play the point:

• Cade Cunningham
• Killian Hayes
• Jaden Ivey
• Saben Lee
• Cory Joseph
• Alec Burks

Being a seventh-string point guard is not really a position on an NBA team, so Moore’s chances would be slim, if the roster remains the same.

The Pistons do not have a balanced roster. Too many guards and centers but too few wings. Of course, training camp is not for 2 1/2 months, so there is plenty of time to make some moves, and Weaver loves making moves.

Knowing there is an unusually experienced rookie point guard, who has played well in the Pistons system, out there, could make Weaver more liable to pull the trigger, and involve some of the guards in trades.

Moore made a big impact on the Pistons summer league team despite not being six-foot tall. What it leads to will be interesting to follow, now that all on-court activity is over in the NBA.