The Detroit Pistons are trying to build a culture of hustle and defense and have had mixed results this season.
The defense definitely isn’t where it needs to be and there are a lot of questions around how a rotation with four centers in it is going to work, especially when none of them can shoot and two of them are sub par defenders.
Jaden Ivey questioned his team’s effort after a recent blowout loss, but for the most part they have played hard but just been outmatched or undermanned in most of these games. To their credit, the team hasn’t quit on coach Dwane Casey and has mostly played hard this season despite the constant losing, which isn’t always easy for a young team.
Part of that is that many of their players have something to play for, including Eugene Omoruyi, who turned a 10-day contract into a two-year deal with the Detroit Pistons.
Omoruyi is not a flashy player by any means, but he’s a solid defender, a good rebounder and is one of those hustle/energy guys off the bench that every team needs.
But will that be enough for him to stick on the roster?
Detroit Pistons: Will Eugene Omoruyi stick around?
The Detroit Pistons signed Omoruyi to a deal very similar to the one that RJ Hampton got, as next season is a team option that is not guaranteed.
Omoruyi has been a bright spot this season and it’s great to see a guy get rewarded for putting in the work.
But will there be a place for him on next year’s bench? If I had to guess now I’d say no, as roster spots will be limited and the Pistons have two draft picks along with whatever free agent they sign to fill them.
It’s more likely that Omoruyi gets one of the two-way deals and he’d be a great candidate for it, as he’s already shown he can come in and hold his own against NBA competition. Of course if the Pistons don’t pick up that option, someone else might offer him a real contract, in which case, he’ll be gone.
But if Detroit has a quiet offseason and still has a back of the bench spot open, Omoruyi is a candidate for it, as he’s the type of player that raises the level of competition, which is nice for a young team to have.
This will just come down to numbers, but the Detroit Pistons have at least put themselves in a good position with both Omoruyi and Hampton.