The Pistons have a Daniss Jenkins problem

Daniss Jenkins went 0-6 last night for zero points, and his only scratch on the scorecard (an assist) was wiped out by a turnover. Jenkins is struggling mightily right now, and it’s a big problem for the Pistons. 

This all started when he was converted to a standard contract, but that is more coincidence than anything, as Jenkins has been streaky all season. 

He has shown a flare for the big moment but has also gone through peaks and valleys this season that you would expect from an inexperienced player getting his first consistent run in the NBA. 

Jenkins is lost in the valley right now, as he has averaged just 4.9 points, .9 assists and 1.6 rebounds per game over his last 10 and is putting up more turnovers than assists in that span. 

He’s shooting 28.4 percent from the floor and just 17.6 percent from long range and has put up a combined -30 net rating over the last 10 contests. 

We’ve seen Jenkins go through these slumps before, but there is more on the line now, and the Pistons may have leapt a little too quickly here. 

Is it too much too soon for Daniss Jenkins? 

Jenkins has been one of the best stories of the year for the Pistons as a guy who played his way from a two-way contract into the rotation. 

But early in the season he was being used as an emergency injury sub and was playing inconsistently, so teams weren’t game planning for him or even paying attention to what he did. 

We’ve seen this before with guys who fly under the radar, and it usually catches up to them when they get into the lineup full time. 

Jenkins is not only in the rotation but tasked with being the second ball handler and creator, which is a lot to put on an inexperienced player, especially when he’s getting next to no help from his bench mates. 

Caris LeVert was meant to be helping to shoulder this burden, but he’s been even worse, so Jenkins has been left with more responsibility than you’d ideally like him to have. 

I am not making excuses for the guy, and Jenkins would be the first to tell you he needs to be better. I also know that he has the type of mentality that will keep him confident even through these struggles. 

But he’s it. Jenkins is the backup point guard right now and unless they want to play Cade Cunningham 48 minutes a game, they don’t have any other options. 

Jenkins is a nice bench player, and an asset for the Pistons, but they have a big problem right now, as they are relying on him for production that he is not giving. 

Let’s hope this cycle comes back around soon, and Jenkins gets the hot hand going into the playoffs, as he’s going to be a factor for the Pistons one way or another.