The Detroit Pistons filled their final two-way spot by re-signing guard Daniss Jenkins in a move that didn’t surprise anyone.
The transaction was first reported by Keith Smith of Spotrac, and it was one that was expected from the Pistons after inking Tolu Smith and Colby Jones to the other available two-way contracts.
The undrafted free agent played well last season for the Cruise in the G-League and looked the part of a backup NBA point guard in Summer League, putting up solid numbers and doing a reliable job leading the offense.
The Pistons have yet to get anything out of a two-way player, something they hope to change, as finding low-cost talent is a key advantage under the new tax rules. If you can develop a two-way player that eventually makes the rotation, it’s a way to get cheap impact that allows for more spending at the top of the payroll.
Jenkins isn’t going to start the season in the Pistons’ rotation, but if they do have to dip into the two-way pool next season, he’ll likely be the first name they call upon.
The Detroit Pistons depth chart
The Pistons may have a nine-man rotation that is all but set, but they do have some depth concerns at both point guard and power forward.
Jenkins has two ways to get into the Pistons’ rotation for spurts next season: Beat out Marcus Sasser in training camp, which seems unlikely given Sasser’s experience and the fact that he played well in a limited role last season.
The second way is less appealing and that would be if there is an injury to any of the Pistons’ guards, specifically Jaden Ivey or Marcus Sasser.
There’s also the issue that Ivey is coming back from a devastating injury and the Pistons may want to limit his minutes early in the season, which could see them turn to Jenkins for sparse minutes here and there.
It’s nice to have a player like Jenkins, who is about to turn 24 and is already a journeyman after playing for three different colleges and then working his way into the league as an undrafted free agent.
He’s a guy who has repeatedly been counted out and proved the critics wrong, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up in some kind of role for the Pistons next season.