When the Detroit Pistons were forced to pivot away from Malik Beasley this offseason, some pundits were quick to declare their offseason a disaster but fail to appreciate the additions they did make.
Beasley was arguably the Pistons’ 2nd or 3rd best player last season, at least from an offensive standpoint, and his elite high-volume shooting will be missed. Tim Hardaway Jr. was also solid in his role and Dennis Schroder provided valuable veteran backup guard minutes.
That’s what led ESPN to give the Pistons a “C” in their recent offseason grades.
But when you factor in the players that the Pistons added or will be getting back and they are arguably better off.
Duncan Robinson and Malik Beasley are a wash
Robinson will replace some of Beasley’s 3-point shooting, but there are areas where Beasley is better.
Beasley is far more athletic and better at attacking the rim in transition. Although not a great defender, he gave effort on that end and was pesky at times grabbing steals.
Robinson is a more dynamic offensive player overall, as he’s a better and more willing passer who is better at attacking close outs than Beasley, who was not great with the ball in his hands.
Robinson is not as athletic, but he’s bigger and a smart team defender who at least knows where to be. Both guys are targets for other teams defensively, but Robinson is used to that after years of being one of the worst individual defenders on the Heat and they managed just fine with him defensively.
Beasley and Robinson are different players and while Robinson may not be the same volume shooter, he’s more versatile, so I see this as a wash at worst.
Caris LeVert is better than Tim Hardaway Jr.
THJ was a solid veteran last season who had some big games for the Pistons and stepped up in the playoffs, but he only shot 40 percent for the season, so it’s not like he was lights out.
LeVert averaged more points in fewer minutes, and though his 3-point percentage is lower, he shot 47 percent overall, a big upgrade from THJ.
LeVert also averaged nearly double the assists that Hardaway did and is a guy who can create his own shot, something we rarely saw from THJ.
LeVert is a better defender, better offensive player and has a more well-rounded game that will help the Pistons more when Cade Cunningham is on the bench. This is a big upgrade for Detroit.
Jaden Ivey is better than Dennis Schroder
As good as Schroder was for the Pistons, Jaden Ivey is a better player overall and is an upgrade at the backup point guard spot.
Ivey will get some minutes there when Cade hits the bench, and he’ll have to take better care of the ball and be a pesky defender as Schroder was.
But Ivey was the better 3-point shooter last season, is bigger, faster and better in transition. If he can step into that secondary creator role and continue to shoot well, he’ll be an upgrade from Schroder, especially if Ivey can tap into his elite athleticism to be a better defender.
When you think about these additions, they should all be at least parallel moves from the guys they replaced, if not outright upgrades. When you add that to growth from Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren and Ron Holland, the Pistons could easily be better next season, and ESPN will have to rethink that offseason grade.