Daniss Jenkins back to a familiar label for the Pistons

Daniss Jenkins has been underestimated and underrated for most of his NBA career, and it’s a label he is earning again with his recent play. 

Jenkins wasn’t even supposed to be in the rotation this season, but early injuries to Jaden Ivey and Marcus Sasser opened a spot for the former two-way guard that he never relinquished. 

He’s been a full-time part of the rotation for most of the season and never lost his swagger even when things weren’t going his way. Jenkins did struggle at times this season and appeared to hit the proverbial rookie wall, but recently he's run right through it.

The legs he lost are back, and Jenkins is playing his best basketball of the season at exactly the right time. 

Daniss Jenkins gaining confidence as the playoffs approach 

Jenkins has been outstanding over the last seven games, averaging 20 points, 7.1 assists, 4.7 rebounds and nearly a steal per game in that span. He’s shooting 49.5 percent from the field, 44 percent from 3-point range and 93.3 percent from the line, where he has been clutch late in games. 

Jenkins is looking more comfortable running the offense, but has shown he’s a weapon off the ball, one that will be important even when Cade Cunningham returns.  

Jenkins is getting his swagger back just in time for the playoffs and is going to be an underrated weapon for the Pistons who will almost certainly be involved in some big moments. 

Can Jenkins keep this up off the bench? 

Jenkins has been very good as a starter this season, averaging 16.6 points, 6.9 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game, so it’s clear he’s comfortable rolling with the starting unit. 

Some players prefer to start, but it’s something Jenkins can’t get too used to, as he’ll be back to the bench as soon as Cade Cunningham returns. 

Jenkins has to carry over this confidence and aggressiveness back to the bench, as he could be key for the Pistons, who will look for him to pick up some of the shooting slack. 

He and Kevin Huerter have been playing well off each other of late, and though neither of them is a true point guard, they can do enough with the ball to make plays for each other and the rest of their teammates. 

We’ve seen Huerter looking for Jenkins roaming the 3-point line, and many of his assists have been to the feisty point guard. 

Jenkins has been underrated for his entire career, which is how he ended up undrafted even though he was clearly one of the better players in his class. He’s the Pistons secret at this point, as Jenkins is not a name most casual NBA fans know, but they will soon, as he is setting himself up for a huge role in the playoffs.