Daniss Jenkins has waited patiently for a chance to play real minutes for the Detroit Pistons, and he’s made the most of the opportunity.
Jenkins toiled in the G-League last season as a two-way player who only stepped on the floor seven times for the Pistons in mop-up duty. He’s already played in 10 games in this one, four as a starter, and is having the kind of breakout season he probably imagined when he was putting in the work in the G-League and offseason.
Jenkins plays with a little swagger, and you can tell he thinks he belongs. The numbers back him up, as he has averaged 19 points, 8.8 assists, and three rebounds while shooting 49 percent from the floor as a starter, numbers that earned him a nomination for Player of the Week in the Eastern Conference.
He’s been the primary creator with all of the injuries but stayed in the starting lineup last night and worked as secondary playmaker even with Cade Cunningham back. JB Bickerstaff had Ausar Thompson back last night (though probably on a minutes limitation), but started Jenkins anyway, a sign that he not only has confidence in him, but wants to ride the hot hand.
Even once Jaden Ivey comes back, we could see Jenkins in a consistent role, as it will take some time for Ivey to work his way back into rhythm and game shape.
He’s a guy JB Bickerstaff won’t be able to keep off the floor, and it won’t be long before the Pistons have to do something about his contract.
Detroit Pistons roster: Daniss Jenkins deserves a full-time deal
Two-way players can only play 50 games in the NBA and are not eligible for the playoffs, two things that will eventually push the Pistons to convert Jenkins to a full-time deal.
The Pistons don’t currently have a roster spot available, but that could be remedied easily enough by cutting Isaac Jones, something they are going to do before January anyway, as that’s when his deal becomes fully guaranteed.
The Pistons could also make a trade, as Marcus Sasser doesn’t figure to have a role when he gets back from injury, and his price tag goes to over $5 million next season.
It will be a while before Sasser is back, so this is not an immediate option if the Pistons want to reward Jenkins.
They don’t have to do anything right now, but it’s going to be hard to ignore what Jenkins is providing for this team and what he can continue to provide for the rest of the season as a backup point guard, which is some scoring pop and ball handling off the bench.
Jenkins still has 40 more games of eligibility as a two-way player, so the Pistons don’t have to be in a rush, but he’s a guy they are going to want to keep around and have available for the playoffs, so eventually Jenkins will be converted to a full-time deal.