The Detroit Pistons had one of the best defenses in the league this season but didn’t have enough offensive weapons to get past the Cavaliers in the second round of the playoffs, so it’s clear which side of the ball needs to improve.
The Pistons are built on defense, and that’s great because an elite defense is the foundation of every contending team, but it can’t come at the expense of the offense.
Between Ausar Thompson, Isaiah Stewart and Ron Holland II, the Pistons have three elite defensive players who are minuses on offense.
Thompson isn’t going anywhere, and there are certainly positive indicators that he’ll progress on offense. He may never be an elite shooter, but Thompson will be entering his first unrestricted offseason, and I do think we’ll see him add to his offensive game.
That means if the Pistons are going to compromise some on defense to add offense, then Isaiah Stewart and Ron Holland II are the most likely to go.
Ron Holland II may not be viewed as favorably around the league
I love Ron Holland. He was one of the most entertaining Pistons players to watch in the regular season, and I love his non-stop motor and hustle.
But he couldn’t get off the bench in the playoffs for the second straight season, which is a concern. He’s only 20, and he did show some signs of shooting at the end of the regular season. He’s already very good in transition, but if Holland doesn’t add some kind of half court offensive game, it’s hard to say what his ceiling is as a player.
It’s also hard to see him as a highly valued trade chip, as teams are all looking for two-way wings and will be even more so after watching this year’s Finals, which are loaded with such players.
If Holland could shoot the 3-ball, this wouldn’t even be a discussion, but he can’t, so I do wonder how much trade value Holland really has. I have hope for Holland, but it has to start happening next season, which will be his 3rd in the league, or the Pistons are going to be in a tough spot with an “upside” player that no one else wants.
Isaiah Stewart may be the trade chip
Stewart is also more of a defensive specialist, and another candidate to be shipped out in exchange for a more well-balanced offensive player (or two).
We‘ve talked about this nauseating possibility quite a lot, so I won’t belabor the point, but with Paul Reed outplaying Stew in the playoffs and making far less money, the idea of moving Beef Stew will be discussed.
The Pistons can’t take on any more one-way offensive players either, as those are just as problematic in the playoffs, but they may have to compromise some on the defensive end if they want to improve the overall balance of their roster.
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