Kevin Huerter an unlikely lock for crucial spot

Kevin Huerter has gone from a guy who was out of the rotation to a player who will be the first guard off the bench in the playoffs for the Detroit Pistons. 

A month ago, it looked as if the trade swap was going to be the biggest gain from the Jaden Ivey trade, as Huerter wasn’t playing, but as usual, we as fans were just being impatient. 

Through poor play and injuries, Huerter eventually got his shot and has shown enough to think he’ll be a key part of the Pistons’ playoff rotation. 

Kevin Huerter is rediscovering his mojo 

Huerter was in an extended shooting slump from 3-point range this season before he joined the Pistons at the trade deadline. 

Those struggles have largely continued in Detroit, but there are signs of life over his last five games. Huerter is averaging over 13 points per game in that span with nearly three rebounds and assists on 51 percent shooting from the floor and 36 percent from long range on 4.5 attempts. 

If he can keep up those kinds of numbers, he’ll continue to get big minutes, as the Pistons’ bench has struggled to find consistent scoring. Even when he's not hitting 3's, Huerter's off ball movement and ability to attack off the bounce have helped open up the Pistons' offense. He's a good connector and not just a guy who stands in the corner waiting for his shot.

It’s a small sample size, so too soon to tell, but we could see a major shift in the playoffs. 

Huerter may play more minutes than Duncan Robinson 

I’m sure Duncan Robinson will be in the starting lineup once the playoffs start, as he’s been great all season, and that group has been one of the league’s best. 

There is no reason to mess with what is working. 

But there is a chance teams will target Robinson in the playoffs, putting JB Bickerstaff in a tough paradox, as the Pistons desperately need his 3-point shooting but will have to find ways to survive his defense. 

Huerter isn’t an all-world defender by any means, but he’s solid, has good size and can defend multiple positions without getting completely torched. Huerter could end up playing a lot in the playoffs if Robinson gets run off the floor. 

He’ll have to continue to make shots, create off the dribble and take care of the ball, as he has had an uptick in turnovers since he’s had increased usage with all the injuries. 

After the events of the last couple of days, the Huerter acquisition is looking like a bigger win for the Pistons, especially if he can continue to find his form from behind the 3-point line. 

Jaden Ivey just got cut by the Bulls, and the Pistons are set up to move up six spots in the draft, so if Huerter can contribute impact minutes in the playoffs, that trade will look even better for Trajan Langdon.