Detroit Pistons: Ranking the Eastern Conference backcourts
Detroit Pistons: Eastern Conference backcourt rankings
#14: Indiana Pacers
Tyrese Haliburton and Chris Duarte are not a backcourt to overlook. Haliburton has become a knockdown shooter from deep and is perhaps the third best player from his draft class. Duarte, in my opinion, has reached his ceiling already, much like Micheal Carter-Williams, although he could have another level.
The Pacers also have wing Bennedict Mathurin will play some at shooting guard as well.
Next season, I think the Pacers will fully embrace a tank and rest Haliburton a lot, giving him less playing time than he deserves. The two are quite young and unproven, and unlike Cade, neither of them are quite elite yet, keeping them near the bottom.
light. Related Story. Which bad team will be good first?
#13: Washington Wizards
Monte Morris will probably be the starting point guard in Washington. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a solid backup, but he’s not anywhere near a top-tier starter. Bradley Beal is one of the best scorers in the league, but has never really been on winning teams. On top of that, neither one of them plays defense. The pair could average 45 points next season, but that doesn’t mean much when they’ll routinely give up 50 to their opposition.
Johnny Davis will try to help, but will probably play a lot of small forward next season in addition to some two-guard.
#12: Cleveland Cavaliers
Ricky Rubio is coming off a knee injury, and Caris LeVert is a solid shooting guard, but his best days are behind him in Brooklyn. Darius Garland broke out last year and squeaked into the All-Star game, but if the Cavs are any good next season it will be thanks to their plethora of tall talents, not the backcourt. If Collin Sexton remains in Cleveland, that will throw a wrench in the whole plan.
The Cavs have decided to go against the grain and play Lauri Markkanen, Kevin Love, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. They have a combined height of over 28 feet, so the backcourt is second fiddle. If it weren’t for Garland’s All-Star nod, then the Cavs would be listed even lower.