The Detroit Pistons are going to spend next season trying to live up to the standard they set for themselves last season. Perhaps even surpass it, in an ideal world. But in order to do that, they’re going to have to improve on the offensive end around Cade Cunningham. And while the Pistons didn’t make a ton of additions, they can make the improvement by committee.
There has been a lot of time spent focusing on specific players. Guys who can help Cunningham improve the offense. The Pistons need more consistency on that side of the ball. But it doesn’t have to be a single person. Instead, the entire Pistons bench can give them buckets, lifting the entire team up around Cunningham.
Detroit’s bench has a chance to take the Pistons to another level on the offensive end, as they can give the team some significant upgrades when it comes to offensive creation.
Pistons bench can help carry offense
Last season, Cunningham was one of the best players in the NBA. And once the playoffs came around, he was often left out to dry on the offensive end of the floor.
When Cunningham didn’t have it going on that end, things were left up to the likes of Tobias Harris and Caris LeVert to figure it out. That’s not going to cut it in the playoffs.
Heading into next season, the Pistons lost both of those guys but will be depending on a collective of players to help pick up the pieces on the offensive end of the court.
Isaiah Joe was acquired in a deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Pistons traded for John Collins in a deal with the LA Clippers. And they still have Daniss Jenkins. And they drafted Ebuka Okorie.
The starting lineup will probably look like the following: Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Collins, and Jalen Duren.
That means the Pistons’ bench should have a plethora of scoring options who can collectively help Cunningham. Sort of like the early-2020s Clippers, who won by way of a collective effort.
Joe, Jenkins, Okorie, and others should be able to create plenty of offense for the Pistons off the pine. The offense can be a real collective effort for Detroit at times.
An approach like that could help the Pistons build on the success they had last season. Less about individual pieces and more about a collective offensive plan for the Pistons. That’s what could work for them.
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