3 most underrated Detroit Pistons on the roster

3 most underrated Detroit Pistons on the roster

Isaiah Stewart

Isaiah Stewart is either the most overrated or underrated player on the roster depending on who you ask.

The Detroit Pistons clearly think it’s the former, as they gave Stewart a contract extension that is probably more valuable than his production warrants at this stage, but that’s because they see more.

The doubters see a tweener center with questionable shooting trying to be pigeon-holed into the power forward position, while others see a versatile defender who has already shown he can be the shooter the Pistons need to spread the floor in the frontcourt with Jalen Duren.

Stewart was shooting a solid 37.3 percent from long range on 4.2 attempts per game through his first 30 games last season before injuries started to take their toll on his production. He only ended up at 32 percent for the season, a number some see as proof that he’s not going to work at the four.

He’s going to have to play well to live up to his extension and I think he will, as we tend to forget that Stewart is just 22-years-old and it’s a lot to ask a big to change his role on the fly like he did last season.

He now has a whole offseason to prepare to play both power forward and some small-ball center and focus on getting more consistency on his 3-point shot. Beef Stew is a hard worker and has a lot of untapped talent, so count me as a believer.

Bigs who can defend multiple spots and shoot a little are among the most valuable commodities in the NBA and Isaiah Stewart could very well become exactly that for the Detroit Pistons next season.

In a season or two his extension may look like one of the better bargains in the league or it could look like an overpay and there’s not much in between.