All G-League rosters show Pistons are on the right path

The All G-League teams were announced yesterday, and the rosters were populated with both current and former Detroit Pistons. 

Isaac Jones was named to the 1st team after posting gaudy numbers in the G-League this season. He averaged 22.2 points per game, 8.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.9 blocks and a steal while shooting 61.6 percent from the floor. 

Jones is already 25 years old, so can physically dominate in the G-League, but he’s a guy the Pistons might end up keeping around for cheap depth depending on what happens in the summer. 

Former Pistons bust Killian Hayes made the 2nd team, which was enough to earn him a full-time contract with the Kings. Hayes has had a couple of good games in the NBA this season (including last night) but still can’t shoot, so I have no idea what the Kings were doing there. 

Ron Harper Jr., who also spent brief time with the Pistons and Motor City Cruise, made the 3rd team for the Maine Celtics. 

Isaac Jones has proven he can dominate G-League competition, but will he ever have a spot on the Detroit Pistons? 

Isaac Jones has an outside chance of cracking the roster 

The Pistons have shown that they are making player development a priority, and we’ve seen it already this season. 

Daniss Jenkins emerged from a two-way deal to play a key role for the Pistons, and yesterday they rewarded Tolu Smith with a full-time contract, which required waiving Bobi Klintman. 

Jones will be on a two-way heading into the summer and it would be surprising if he's not an option for that role again next season, as the Pistons paid him a full contract this season when they didn’t have to, which shows they at least have some interest. 

With Tobias Harris’ future unclear, the Pistons may need more cheap bench depth in the frontcourt, and Jones is a guy who can defend both spots and score efficiently around the rim. 

Pistons have turned things around in the G-League 

Detroit is finally starting to get something out of their player development after flopping for years on the fringes. I've repeatedly stressed how important this is under the current tax rules, especially with a possible max extension coming for Duren. The Pistons will need lower salaries to offset that and have already found a couple. 

Jones may end up being one of those guys who is not quite good enough for the NBA, but if he can provide some cheap frontcourt depth, the investment in time and money will have been worth it for Detroit. 

The Pistons roster is about to get more expensive at the top, so finding reliable players at the bottom of the payroll is paramount. The Pistons are on the right path with Jenkins and Smith and also have one of the G-League's best players waiting in the wings.