Coach JB Bickerstaff has the challenging task of juggling a Detroit Pistons rotation that has 11 or 12 guys who deserve to play. Someone is going to have to be the odd man out and right now, that player looks like Caris LeVert.
To be fair to LeVert, he’s been in and out of the lineup with injuries and has been unable to establish much of a rhythm or role for himself. He’s also been tasked with running the second unit as a point guard, something he’s not particularly good at. LeVert can make plays and get his own shot, but it’s the setting up of others where he falters.
His numbers are actually good, at least when it comes to shooting percentages, but he doesn’t pass the eye test, as the Pistons just seem to play better when he’s not on the court. That’s not all on him, as neither him nor Jaden Ivey are point guards, so each would benefit from having a guy like Daniss Jenkins on the floor, which we saw last night with LeVert out and Ivey and Jenkins playing together effectively.
Again, this isn’t all on LeVert, as he’s been asked to do things that are not in his comfort zone, as he’s much better at attacking as a secondary ballhandler than running the offense.
The bench was far more effective last night with Jenkins on the floor with Ron Holland and Jaden Ivey, so as much as it might hurt, JB Bickerstaff will have to play the bad guy, or we could see the front office get involved.
Detroit Pistons: Caris LeVert could be traded on December 15th
Caris LeVert is one of several Pistons players who are eligible to be traded on December 15th, and though it’s doubtful we see him shipped out right away, it could be in the future cards if he is played out of the rotation.
I should say that I don’t think JB Bickerstaff is going to pull him. He has a longstanding relationship with LeVert and trusts him, so if he’s healthy, he’s likely going to be playing.
He’s making more than seven times what Jenkins and Javonte Green make combined, so he’ll likely get his chance to play even though the offense looks so much better with Jenkins running it.
This might require Trajan Langdon to get involved, as he could potentially flip LeVert, but that won’t be easy either. Langdon may want to save LeVert’s contract for a bigger deal, and he won’t garner much attention on his own unless the Pistons are willing to take on a longer-term contract.
It’s a tough spot to be in, as the Pistons have a clear rotation right now, and LeVert probably shouldn’t be in it, but he has a coach that won’t pull him and a front office that would have a tough time dealing him.
We’ll know more in a few weeks and if we see LeVert’s time in the rotation cut down or out completely, he could be on the move.