The Detroit Pistons’ medical staff has been busy of late, as the team has just about as many players on the injury list as off it, and there was a new addition today with second-year man Bobi Klintman.
Klintman (ankle) has already been ruled out for tonight’s game against the Pacers along with Jaden Ivey, Marcus Sasser and Tobias Harris. In typical Pistons’ fashion, what started as “minor” injuries for Sasser and Harris have turned into more and kept them out for longer than originally expected.
What is going on with the ankles in Detroit? Can someone get these guys some high-top shoes and tape, please?
Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson are still questionable for tonight, which usually means out, but at least Jalen Duren has been upgraded to probable, though Paul Reed has done a great job in his place.
Klintman’s injury puts another red stamp in his report card for the season, which has not been a good one for the second year forward.
Detroit Pistons: It’s not looking great for Bobi Klintman
Klintman was a second-round pick, so it’s not like anyone expected him to be great right away, but his brief time on the floor has shown that he’s not ready for the NBA.
Klintman has appeared in brief minutes in six games, which is already a bad sign for him, as the Pistons have had so many injuries that just about everyone is in the rotation at this point.
Rookie Chaz Lanier has already appeared in nine games and hasn’t looked overmatched as Klintman often has.
If ever there were a season when a guy like Klintman could get some run, this is it, but he’s barely stepped on the floor.
When he has, he hasn’t looked good. The Pistons have lost nearly every minute he’s been on the court, he’s been two steps slow defensively and hasn’t knocked down shots. Klintman was never much of a defensive prospect, so if he’s not making plays on offense, it’s going to be hard for him to get on the floor.
Meanwhile, guys like Daniss Jenkins and journeyman Javonte Green have been great for Detroit, so Klintman is missing a real opportunity here with all of these injuries.
Hopefully, Tobias Harris et al. will be back soon along with Klintman, but the latter is likely headed back to the G-League when his ankle is stable again.
This year has provided an opportunity for young players, two-way guys and deep bench and most of them have delivered, but Klintman’s ankle injury is just another setback for a guy who hasn’t had a good season.
It's too early to declare him a bust (and second-round picks can't really be busts) but if he can't get on the floor this season, he might miss his chance with Detroit.