Pistons' search for the next Daniss Jenkins starts today

Daniss Jenkins came out of nowhere for the Detroit Pistons last season, going from two-way emergency backup to a player who was starting in the playoffs. 

Jenkins was thrust into a more prominent role when Jaden Ivey was injured in the preseason, and it’s an opportunity he made the most of. Jenkins outplayed his more highly drafted counterpart, making it much easier for the Pistons to part ways with Ivey and keep the cheaper player. 

It all started in Summer League, where Jenkins was an immediate standout. He not only scored in bunches, showing he can break down a defense in the process, but he shot the ball efficiently, dished out assists and didn’t turn it over much, which isn’t always easy in chaotic games featuring a bunch of guys who barely know each other. 

Jenkins ran the show and impressed with his maturity and leadership, so Summer League directly led to him eventually getting a shot with the real team. 

Can the Pistons do it again? 

Is there another gem on the Pistons Summer League roster? 

The most obvious choice is first-round pick Ebuka Okorie, who will probably dominate Summer League. He’s quick, handles the ball well and is a prolific scorer, so this type of exhibition game is tailor made for him to shine. 

He was a first-round pick who is expected to make the team, so this wouldn’t be a shock, but considering the Pistons have failed to upgrade their ball handling, they need Okorie to be playable sooner rather than later. 

Chaz Lanier will be an interesting player to watch entering year two. He didn’t get much run last year and has been presumably pushed down the depth chart even further with the additions of Okorie and Isaiah Joe. Can Lanier shoot his way into contention for a rotation spot? 

He’s already 24 years old, so like Jenkins, needs to make his move soon or be banished to lesser leagues. 

Brice Williams is an interesting player just because of his size at 6-foot-7 at the guard position. He’s another one that needs to show an improved shot. 

The main thing about hidden gems is that you don’t know who they are until you do, so it will be interesting to see who emerges from the Pistons’ Summer League as the big winner. 

Finding talent matters 

We’ve watched the Pistons squeeze Jalen Duren this summer because they know every penny matters when it comes to team building under the current tax rules. 

If you want to have more than one max player on the roster, then having cheap contributors is key. The Pistons already have a couple in Jenkins and Javonte Green but need to keep that pipeline full of two-way guys they drafted or find in undrafted free agency. 

Finding cheap impact is no longer a luxury in the NBA, so the Pistons are hoping the next Daniss Jenkins emerges in Summer League starting this evening. 

The game starts at 5:30 PM ET, and we’ll have plenty of overreactions after. 

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