Detroit Pistons: 3 players who deserve a shot after Summer League

The Detroit Pistons finished their Summer League with a 4-1 record after beating the Indiana Pacers in the consolation game.

As happens each year with Summer League, the first games are dominated by newly drafted players and/or players heading into their sophomore seasons. The rookies are given a chance to show their potential stardom, and sophomores are allotted time to show what they’ve worked on over the offseason. However, once most of those players are shut down after the first few games, we get a look at guys who are actually fighting for a roster spot. Guys who truly are showcasing their abilities for a shot at the big leagues.

Let’s take a look at three Detroit Pistons Summer League players who deserve a shot at a regular season roster spot, or at the very least, a two-way contract.

Detroit Pistons: 3 players who deserve a shot after Summer League

Jack Nunge, 7’0 Center

Jack Nunge came to Detroit after spending his college years playing for both the Iowa Hawkeyes and Xavier Musketeers. The 7-foot center has the look and potential that most teams covet in the NBA. Averaging 14.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and shooting over 50 percent his senior season at Xavier, Nunge plays more like a stretch five. He is not afraid to let it fly from deep and connects on almost 40 percent of them. Forcing opposing centers to extend out to the perimeter to guard you while also being able to hit the shot if they are slow to defend is a tool Detroit needs.

Where he is above average at spacing for a center, he lacks in more traditional center abilities. Only grabbing 5.9 rebounds per game throughout his college career, Nunge will need to work on his down low skills, but the potential is there. While he saw this number increase each year, more work needs to be done to refine his post skills. Throughout the Summer League, Nunge is averaging 7.5 points and three rebounds while, most importantly, shooting 40 percent from three. Regardless of his lack of traditional post skills, Detroit should continue to see if the stretch center has what it takes in the NBA.

Over the weekend, Nunge signed a contract with the Italian basketball club Givova Scafati, meaning his time in Detroit will have to wait.

Malcolm Cazalon, 6’6 Guard

A lesser known name joining Detroit this season is Malcolm Cazalon. The 6-foot-6 guard is out of France, and originally declared for both the 2021 and 2022 drafts, before withdrawing from both. Finally remaining in the 2023 draft, he would go undrafted and sign with Detroit thereafter. Playing in the ABA last season, Cazalon averaged 11.3 points, 2.6 assists and 3.4 rebounds across 25 games.

During the Detroit Pistons’ Summer League games, Cazalon, along with Nunge, has led the Summer League players in minutes per game outside of the core expected roster players such as Jaden Ivey and James Wiseman. During his four games thus far, Malcolm averaged 7.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. While these stats don’t jump off the page, I think Cazalon has shown to be a capable backup point guard/wing in his limited minutes. He has looked comfortable and patient in each game he’s played in this summer, a trait that could get him a bench roster spot.

Jared Rhoden, 6’6 SG

Jared Rhoden is somewhat ineligible for this list, as he was a draft prospect last year and not in 2023 as Cazalon and Nunge were. After going undrafted last year, Rhoden bounced around the league quite a bit, before ending with Detroit. In 14 games playe for the Pistons, Jared scored 3.2 points per night and over 2.5 rebounds. During this year’s Summer League, Rhoden is playing at a much better speed during his 19.1 minutes per game. To go along with his five rebounds and 8.3 points per game, Rhoden is shooting almost 37 percent from three. The 37 percent clip is a large upgrade from his 14-game performance last season.

If he can continue to improve as it seems, Rhoden could earn a bench spot on this Detroit Pistons’ roster.