Where the Detroit Pistons’ player development has failed
The Detroit Pistons are nearing the end of what has been another disappointing season dedicated to the rebuild and development of young players.
The Pistons weren’t likely to be a good team anyway, but any chance they had to compete for a play-in spot (as Orlando and OKC have this season) went out the window when Cade Cunningham went out after just 12 games.
This season turned to player development and the Pistons have gotten quality minutes for rookies Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren to go along with Isaiah Stewart and Killian Hayes, who have both played big roles this season with mixed results.
The Pistons’ young guys are playing a lot, but the team is failing miserably in the G-League, two-way department, especially for a team whose season was practically written off in the first month.
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While other teams are finding two way and Exhibit 10 players to sign to full-time deals, the Detroit Pistons have gotten nothing from their G-League and you could argue that their two-way deals have been a waste this season, which is disappointing considering their status in the standings.
Detroit Pistons: The G-League has been a waste
The most recent team to sign a two-way player to a full-time deal was fellow cellar dweller Charlotte, who inked Bryce McGowens to a four-year deal:
The Charlotte Hornets are converting two-way guard Bryce McGowens on a four-year, $7.4 million deal, his agents Mark Bartelstein and Kyle McAlarney of @PrioritySports tell ESPN. The deal includes a fourth-year team option.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 26, 2023
The Knicks, Rockets, Thunder, Spurs and Magic have all found players in the G-League or on two-way contracts over the last two seasons, and while none of these players are stars, they have at least found guys who can get some run on an NBA roster and several of them have been converted to full-time contracts.
This is a way to get cheap talent for the back end of your bench, and so far the Detroit Pistons have gotten next to nothing. Their two-way contracts have played a combined two games so far, though Buddy Boeheim has had some monster games of late for the Cruise.
Detroit has no one on their G-League team that projects as an NBA rotation player and most of their guys are in their mid to late 20’s, so there isn’t much to be excited about. In fact, the Motor City Cruise only have two players under 23-years-old and one of them doesn’t play.
It’s disappointing that a team that has only won 15 games can’t find a guy who can get some developmental minutes at the end of the bench, and you’d think a rebuilding team like Detroit would be putting a little more time and effort into their developmental team in the G-League.
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