Desperate move pays off early for the Detroit Pistons

It’s been a rough season so far for the Detroit Pistons, rougher than I expected. A lot of games have been close, and a few of them the Pistons could’ve and should’ve won had their entire roster been available.

Injuries, once again, have mowed down some hopes in the Motor City. When the team’s veterans return to active duty, they’ll provide a stabilizing influence and a bit more space to the talented young core. In the meantime, Detroit has been forced to look for answers anywhere they can.

In an effort to plug the gaps flooding the sinking ship, Detroit has turned, again, to the twenty-four-year-old Kevin Knox, a career .342 three-point shooter.

The Kevin Knox signing shows the Detroit Pistons are desperate

Knox began last year in Detroit before being traded to Portland. He played a decent role in 14.1 minutes per game on a young, depleted Detroit team. His best lineups, by a country mile, consisted of Knox playing alongside Hamidou Diallo at shooting guard. Diallo embraced the midrange and attacked the basket last season, and Knox alongside Alec Burks and Isaiah Livers gave Diallo space to work.

Jaden Ivey requires similar spacing, and Cade Cunningham would benefit greatly from more outside shooting threats that can draw defenders or provide a passing option when the defense collapses.

The brutal truth appears to be that Detroit had an open roster spot and needed to fill some of the holes created by injuries. I don’t know if any injuries are more serious than we’ve been told. I certainly hope not, and like all fans, I look forward to Detroit playing with a full roster.

In the meantime, however, the Pistons began the year with the clearly defined goal of competing every single game. Troy Weaver stated that he wanted the team to be playing for the play-in tournament in April. Every game needs to count.

If the games need to count in April, we need to win a few more in November. The season is off to a rough start, but it’s still early. Knox might not be the answer, but he’s a low-cost player with the right skills.

He had a strong start last night against the Bulls, scoring 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting to lead the team. If he can put up those kinds of numbers consistently, Kevin Knox may be able to help this team, or at least tide them over until everyone gets back.

While we wait, you can score a huge $150 bonus from FanDuel Sportsbook if the Pistons beat the Hawks tonight! Bet at least $5 (with a $10 deposit) on the Pistons’ moneyline odds vs. the Hawks today and you’ll get an extra $150 in bonus bets if they win. Take advantage of the biggest odds boost around – sign up for FanDuel now!