The Detroit Pistons fanbase pleaded with their front office to make moves ahead of the NBA trade deadline, with the lack of shooting becoming an evident issue.
Team president Trajan Langdon did his best to address the concerns, and it came with a bit of a reclamation project in sharpshooting wing Kevin Huerter, who was in the midst of a career-low season with the Chicago Bulls.
The hope for the Maryland product was that a fresh start in the Motor City on a contending roster would allow him to turn back the clock to his best seasons with the Atlanta Hawks and Sacramento Kings, where he proved to be a reliable marksman when called upon.
His opening stretch with the Pistons didn't offer much encouragement; in fact, it offered a sense of increased concern that Langdon missed the mark with his in-season additions.
Fast forward to now, and it seems as if Huerter is quietly finding his rhythm at the perfect time, giving Detroit the player they've desperately been waiting to show up.
Kevin Huerter is starting to answer the call
With the absence of Cade Cunningham, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has begun to look for answers to fill the offensive void left behind by the MVP candidate.
Of the bench options who have received extended looks, Huerter has begun to show shades of the spot-up shooter the team hoped to acquire when they decided to land him ahead of the deadline.
Still, only shooting 28.3% from beyond the arc in a Pistons jersey and 30.5% from three on the season, the 27-year-old hasn't completely shaken free from the shooting funk that restricted him this season.
Over the last few games, though, Huerter has started to string solid shooting performances, finishing with 2+ threes in five of the team's last seven games.
Shooting 37.5% from three through three games in April, Huerter is beginning to turn a corner that could lead him to hear his number called when the postseason begins.
Pistons will need Huerter's shooting throughout the playoffs
Obviously, Detroit's calling card comes on the defensive end with the mindset of head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who's one of the biggest reasons for the team's emergence atop the East, courtesy of their gritty play on the defensive side of the court.
And while the Pistons will certainly pride themselves on defense when the playoffs arrive, there's no doubt that Detroit will be seeking answers on the offensive end, even if Cunningham returns to the lineup.
If Huerter can continue shooting with confidence, his ability to be a trustworthy weapon on offense to protect the ball and make smart decisions, along with shooting upside, could carve him a role within the team's playoff rotation.