The Detroit Pistons had a difficult time surviving when Cade Cunningham wasn’t on the floor last season, especially in the playoffs, something they are better equipped to deal with after small but meaningful changes to the bench.
Detroit’s net rating fell by nearly three points when Cunningham wasn’t on the floor last season and over eight points on the offensive end. Cunningham is the engine of the offense, so it makes sense, but their lack of other options came back to haunt them in the playoffs.
The Pistons’ bench was great in the regular season, scoring the 4th-most points per game in the league and ending with the 6th-highest net rating overall.
They did it with hustle, defense, effort and fast breaks, which are harder to come by in the postseason when the games slow down and you need players who can thrive in half-court sets.
Detroit’s bench mostly consisted of Isaiah Stewart (now in Memphis), Ron Holland II, Daniss Jenkins, Caris LeVert (now in Milwaukee), Javonte Green and a splash of Kevin Huerter in the later stages of the season.
There’s not much scoring in that group, so even though the Pistons didn’t remake their entire bench, the changes they did make should be important.
The Pistons bench has more scoring options
The swaps the Pistons made weren’t headline grabbers, but they did better equip the bench to withstand those minutes when Cunningham Isn't on the floor. They are also built better for playoff basketball overall.
The bench has some continuity with Jenkins, Holland, Green and Reed returning, but all will have slightly different roles. Jenkins will have a more consistent and defined role as the backup point guard, Holland should increase his offensive impact, and Reed will be the full-time backup to Jalen Duren (pending).
Reed will take Stewart’s role, which should immediately improve the versatility on offense, as Reed is a more creative player around the rim and a better passer than Beef Stew.
Isaiah Joe will give Jenkins another weapon to set up, something he didn’t have last season when he had to play a lot of his minutes with LeVert, who didn’t stretch the floor or create.
Kevin Huerter is back as insurance and looking to rebuild his shot, and a rebound season from him could be an x-factor for the Pistons. They also have Taurean Prince, a real backup power forward who can shoot from the corner.
Rookie Ebuka Okorie will take the Marcus Sasser spot, and though he’s not expected to play a huge role right away, he does give them another weapon that they didn’t have last season.
A bench unit of Jenkins, Joe, Holland, Green/Prince, Reed is far better balanced than the all-defense bench the Pistons threw out for much of last season.
This unit should be able to hold its own when Cunningham is out and give the Pistons a bench that can stay alive offensively in the playoffs, when shot making and spacing become even more important.
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