The Detroit Pistons bench issues have persisted throughout the course of the postseason but it doesn't come from a lack of trying to put those concerns in the past.
One of the biggest additions for Detroit in the offseason was the signing of Caris LeVert, who was expected to elevate J.B. Bickerstaff's bench unit and help alleviate pressure from the starting lineup with his upside as both a scorer and reliable playmaker on offense.
Unfortunately, the swing for LeVert is unfolding in the exact opposite way the Pistons could have hoped for, and it's teaching Detroit a tough lesson that the Cleveland Cavaliers know all too well.
For the Cavaliers, LeVert's struggles are validating the team's decision to move on from him ahead of last year's NBA trade deadline.
The problem for the Pistons, though, is LeVert's ongoing issues are coming at their expense.
Caris LeVert doesn't impact winning
The Cavaliers once found themselves dealing with the same problem the Pistons are currently battling when it comes to LeVert.
Before landing in the Motor City in the offseason, LeVert spent four years in Cleveland, where he carved out a role for himself as one of the most consistent bench contributors the Cavs had at their disposal.
However, after years of failed attempts to return to the Eastern Conference Finals, Cleveland opted to offload LeVert to the Atlanta Hawks ahead of last season's deadline in exchange for DeAndre Hunter, who they felt could have a better chance to help them take the next step.
How that deal unfolded for the Cavs is a different story, but for the Pistons, it led them to come to sign LeVert, a signing that they're now forced to realize may not have the impact they hoped it would.
Averaging 3.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.8 assists through nine postseason games, LeVert has arguably been one of the worst players for Detroit since the playoffs began.
Considering the signing of the versatile wing was supposed to be general manager Trajan Langdon's move to help Detroit get over the hump, it makes the reality of the 31-year-old being the Pistons' biggest weakness sting even worse.
Pistons have to move on when the offseason arrives
There's no doubt that nobody wants to discuss offseason possibilities for the Pistons right now, and considering they're two games away from the Eastern Conference Finals, that's understandable.
The reality, though, is that Detroit has a no-brainer move to make this offseason, and that's to move on from LeVert at all costs.
Looking at his $14.8 million salary and his lackluster production, there's no possible way that the Pistons can validate bringing the veteran wing back for another season, and whether they're able to make a run to the NBA Finals or not, LeVert should be the first player the team moves on from when the offseason arrives.
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