Detroit Pistons: 6 players, 6 questions in Summer League game vs. Magic

After spending the last days arguing about the Detroit Pistons’ offseason, fans will take a break to watch the first game of Summer League tonight against the Orlando Magic.

The Pistons Summer League roster will feature second-year players Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren, as well as James Wiseman and Isaiah Livers, who are like the old veterans of this squad.

We’ll also get our first glimpses of rookies Ausar Thompson and Marcus Sasser, who will likely be featured throughout the four games. It will be their first chance to impress fans and I am sure they are eager to show that there were prospects in the 2023 NBA Draft other than Victor “Hit me baby one more time” Wembanyama.

There are six players that I am particularly interested to see and I have a question for each of them.

Detroit Pistons: 6 players, 6 questions in Summer League game vs. Magic

Jaden Ivey: Will he be the best player on the floor tonight?

Ivey has a relentless work ethic, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he has improved already in this young offseason, as he is a film guy who has probably picked apart some flaws in his own game. I expect we’ll see him play under control, dice up the defense and take better care of the ball. He should be the best player on the floor tonight and it should be obvious.

Jalen Duren: Has he added anything to his game?

I don’t expect Duren to have suddenly developed a jump shot or a go-to post move, and the Detroit Pistons don’t need him to, at least not in his second season. It would be nice to see some strides on the defensive end, especially when it comes to positioning and protecting the rim. But how about a little baby hook? A pull up in the lane off the pick and roll?

Isaiah Livers: Is he healthy and ready to take a real role?

Livers is really one of the wild cards this season, as he has the type of skillset (3 and D) the Pistons need off the bench, but he’s been on it in street clothes far too often. I would like to see Livers healthy, in incredible shape and looking like a guy who is a tier above the youngsters around him, which he should be given that he’s nearly 25-years-old. Livers should dominate Summer League in the short run he’s likely to get, and then carry that momentum into the offseason in preparation for a breakout year.

Ausar Thompson: Can he make plays in the half court? How’s the shot look?

Ok, so this is two questions. Thompson is an underrated playmaker who averaged over six assists per game last season, so I think fans might be surprised by how he can contribute in the half court. He should get plenty of chances once Ivey hits the bench, and I am interested to see what he can do against NBA defenders. His quickness and leaping ability allow him to get around the rim anytime he wants, but can he make good decisions and the right passes? We also know he’s been working on his shot intensely while preparing for the league, so I am also excited to see how his form looks in a full-speed NBA game.

Marcus Sasser: Will he make the Detroit Pistons trade Killian Hayes?

Look, I realize Sasser is not necessarily a replacement for Killian Hayes, as he’s more of a scoring guard than a playmaker. But when the Pistons traded for veteran Monte Morris, it didn’t leave a lot of minutes leftover for guards of any kind. If Sasser comes out playing tenacious on-the-ball defense and knocks down a bunch of 3-point shots, it’s going to be tough to justify keeping Killian, who is on an expiring deal. Let the controversy and trade speculation begin!

Anthony Black: Who are you?

I had to throw at least one Magic player into the mix, and I am most intrigued to see Anthony Black. Out of all of the top-10 draft picks, I’ve probably watched Black the least, as he never seemed like a real option for Detroit. The Magic already have some cornerstone guys in Banchero and Wagner, and they also boast one of the biggest lineups in the NBA, so if Black ends up being another big playmaker, the Magic are going to be tough to match up with.