The Detroit Pistons are nearly finished with Summer League, as they play their 5th and final game today against the Orlando Magic.
The Pistons won’t have any of the rookies or 2nd-year guys who are projected to make the rotation on the court, so we’ll get a heavy dose of players who are long shots to make an NBA roster.
There have been some nice moments for the Pistons, particularly the play of Jaden Ivey before he got hurt, as well as fellow Rookie Jalen Duren, who looks ahead of schedule for an 18-year-old who hadn’t even practiced with the team.
I wouldn’t say there have been any shocks so far, as guys like Isaiah Stewart and Isaiah Livers played well as expected, and none of the fringe players have really stood out.
But there have been some surprising numbers from Summer League for the Detroit Pistons.
Detroit Pistons Summer League: 4 surprising numbers
12
Saben Lee averaged just 12 points in the 1+ games of Summer League that he played, which was a little surprising to me.
Lee absolutely dominated the G-League last season, though it never really translated into success for the big team.
I was expecting him to do the same in Summer League, where I figured he’d be dribbling circles around the competition and getting to the rim at will for finishes. Instead, he shot just 30 percent from the floor and really didn’t stand out.
This is probably a make-or-break year for Lee on the Detroit Pistons, who have a team option for next season on him for next season. I even see the possibility of him being waived this offseason if the Pistons don’t envision a way he can get minutes.
I was hoping Lee would look like a guy who was way too good for the Summer League, but he really didn’t.
Detroit Pistons Summer League: 4 surprising numbers
1
Killian Hayes played just one game in the Summer League, which was a bit surprising considering Isaiah Stewart (who is far more established on the depth chart) played two games.
On one hand, I get it.
Hayes has had a lot of injury problems so far in his young career and the Pistons are desperate to get him into the season at 100 percent.
But this is a bit of a make-or-break season for him too, as he’s another guy who has a team option next season that the Detroit Pistons will have consider seriously before exercising, as he is due to make $7.4 million.
Hayes has flashed elite defensive potential and is already a very good passer, but is that going to be enough to keep him in the rotation moving forward? As meaningless as Summer League is, it would have been nice to see him get some more reps to start and build more confidence for the season.
Killian was fine for his one game, but it would have been nice to see him run the offense and have a big game. Yes, he’s going into his 3rd season, but he’s 20-years-old and needs the reps.
Beef Stew got hurt in Summer League last season and it didn’t stop him from playing two games to try and work on his shooting. I thought Killian probably should have done the same.
Detroit Pistons Summer League: 4 surprising numbers
55
Isaiah Stewart hit 55 percent of his 3-point shots in his two games of Summer League, which is a great number for a guy trying to prove he can shoot.
After drafting Jalen Duren, the idea of moving Beef Stew to the four became much-more realistic, as they could use his versatile defense out there with another big who can block shots. He and Duren probably give the Pistons their best long-term front court defense (Noel is still better at this point), as both can defend the post and step out on the perimeter.
But it only works if Beef Stew can develop some type off offensive game, as he offered very little in that department last season whether it was as a roll threat or popping out for mid-range jumpers and 3-point shots.
Stewart started hitting them at decent clip at the end of last season and looked even more comfortable in Summer League on increased volume.
He shot nine 3-point shots in his two outings and knocked down five of them. I don’t think Stewart is going to hit half of his 3-pointers over the course of the season, but if he can shoot a respectable percentage on 4.5 attempts per game, the Pistons may have found their starting power forward.
Detroit Pistons Summer League: 4 surprising numbers
6.8 and 3.3
Out of the players not projected to be in the rotation, I think Braxton Key has been the best so far.
He has done a little bit of everything, defending all over the court, making plays on offense with his passing in transition, blocking shots, swiping steals and doing all of the little things you need out of a glue guy.
He is second on the Pistons with 6.8 rebounds per game in the Summer League and has shown the ability to grab a rebound and go with it, which you love to see out of a forward.
On the flip side, you have center Jalen Duren, who is a dominant physical presence who was usually the biggest and most athletic guy on the floor in Summer League.
He averaged just 3.3 rebounds per game, something he is going to have to improve as a young player. Not only is his technique terrible (he doesn’t box out…ever) but he doesn’t pursue the ball with the type of motor and urgency you need in the NBA.
He showed that motor on the offensive end, but when it comes to defensive boards he is often caught flat-footed.
Key has been impressive at times doing the little things, while Duren was more impressive with loud dunks and blocks but needs to focus more on the nuance of rebounding and defense, which you would absolutely expect from a guy who could be a high-school senior.