Daniss Jenkins is the 11th highest paid player on the Detroit Pistons, but this season he’s been one of their most impactful.
Jenkins has averaged 13.5 points, 4.7 assists and 3.8 rebounds while shooting an outstanding 44 percent from long range on just under five attempts per game. He’s been exactly what the Pistons needed, and what they hoped they had in Jaden Ivey.
I should first say that anytime I write about Jenkins, I reliably get a flood of messages from the misery squad, those “fans” who hate Jenkins and think he is somehow stealing minutes from rookie Ebuka Okorie.
Some of these trolls must be the same Jaden Ivey stans who did the same thing all last season (until he was mercifully traded) anytime Jenkins was mentioned.
I just don’t get it.
Jenkins is the type of player every fan should be able to get behind, as he was an undrafted free agent who worked his butt off and overcame huge odds to even make it to the NBA. He’s now thriving as a starter, and you want to tell me how he’s “stealing” minutes from a teenager who hasn’t played a significant minute in the league?
Kick rocks.
This is nothing against Okorie at all, but he’s 19 and got drafted to a team that wants to win a title, so it’s not shocking at all that he didn’t immediately make the rotation, and that’s not going to change as long as Jenkins is playing like this.
Daniss Jenkins has one of the best value contracts in the NBA
The Pistons’ payroll is loaded with guys who are on what can be considered “team friendly” contracts in Duncan Robinson, Isaiah Joe, Ausar Thompson, Kevin Huerter, Paul Reed, and Javonte Green, but when it comes to bargain impact, Jenkins is right up there near the top.
He’s making just $4 million this season, which is less than rookie Ebuka Okorie makes, and Jenkins is in the starting five putting up numbers.
This is obviously going to cause some amount of headache at the end of the season, as Jenkins will be a restricted free agent undoubtedly looking for a raise, but that’s a future problem.
For now, Jenkins is providing something all good teams need, which is cheap impact, as you have to offset the max deals at the top of the payroll with bargain contracts if you want to have a deep and talented roster.
You won’t find many better bargains in the league than Daniss Jenkins, who is playing like a starter but getting paid like a deep bench guy.
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