Pistons depth chart after the 2023 NBA Draft and before free agency

Detroit Pistons depth chart: What happens with Alec Burks and Killian Hayes?

Marcus Sasser is a guy who is ready to play right now. He is already older than Killian Hayes, has led a successful NCAA team as the floor general and can do some things that Killian can’t, namely shoot. Sasser was one of the best volume 3-point shooters in the draft, a guy who hit 43.7 percent on 8.6 attempts per game as a junior and 38.4 percent on 6.9 attempts as a senior.

He’s also an excellent free throw shooter (85 percent) so Sasser can fill it up from the outside. There is a chance that he will play alongside Killian Hayes, giving the Pistons a tenacious defense backcourt off the bench with Sasser providing some shooting.

Sasser can really play both guard spots, so he could spell both Hayes and Burks, as a super sub who comes in and disrupts the game with his defense and 3-point shooting. Sasser’s addition doesn’t necessarily mean anything for Hayes or Burks, but given that neither has a guaranteed long-term future in Detroit, Sasser gives them options.

Pistons depth chart: What about the big men?

As you can see from the depth chart, the Pistons will likely have one of Marvin Bagley III or James Wiseman as a third center this season. Given their injury issues, that may not be a bad thing, as they may never all be healthy at the same time.

If they are, there are issues, as there likely aren’t enough minutes to go around, especially if Isaiah Stewart also spends some time at center in small-ball lineups. Even if you see MBIII as a power forward (he isn’t), he’s still likely behind two guys fighting for minutes.

So for all of you complaining about Troy Weaver giving away a second-round pick to get Sasser, don’t worry, as Detroit could easily get it back and then some if they trade one of MBIII or Wiseman this offseason.