Pistons news: Hamidou Diallo making case over Kevin Knox

The Detroit Pistons have the worst record in the NBA, and though a lot of that comes down to youth and injuries, they are going to have to make some changes if they really want to compete next season.

It’s no secret that the defense has been atrocious, especially on the wing, so the Pistons need to add some athletic defenders who can guard quicker forwards and grab some rebounds.

The Pistons have at least nine players who could be gone before next season, including both Hamidou Diallo and Kevin Knox, who have both been inconsistent off the Detroit bench.

Knox just has a team option for next season remaining on his deal and it’s hard to see Detroit picking it up, as he’s been a one-trick pony who offers little unless his streaky 3-point shot is falling.

Diallo will be an unrestricted free agent after this season, so he too is fighting for his future on the Detroit Pistons. It’s highly unlikely that the Pistons will bring both of these guys back, and it’s very possible that neither of them are playing in the Motor City next season.

But right now, Hamidou Diallo is making his case for that final bench spot with defense and energy.

Detroit Pistons news: Hamidou Diallo making his case

Diallo has mostly been an afterthought this season, as he has been in and out of the rotation and has shown the same problems that have plagued him his entire career, namely the inability to shoot.

But Diallo does give the Pistons a dose of defense, hustle and energy off the bench, which is something that Knox does not and has been lacking for most of the season. We saw it last night, as Diallo was flying all over the place with two blocks, two steals and eight rebounds overall.

He grabbed some tough boards that led to transition points for the Pistons, which is something that they have not gotten from forwards Saddiq Bey and Bojan Bogdanovic.

Over his last five games, Diallo has averaged 9.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists on 58 percent shooting, numbers that should earn him some more minutes off the bench, as his defensive energy has made a noticeable difference over the last few games.

Diallo still can’t shoot, but if he can defend at a high level, grab rebounds and be a force in transition, the Pistons may consider keeping him around on a minimum deal after this year.

The Diallo vs. Knox battle is hardly one you’ll be telling your grandchildren about, but it is one to watch over the remainder of the season, as Detroit may end up keeping one of them as a cheap bench option for next year.