The Detroit Pistons are off to a stunning 6-2 start to the season. Credit has been handed to a surplus of individuals, including Cade Cunningham for his fourth quarter brilliance, Jalen Duren for his dominant interior play, and head coach J.B. Bickerstaff for changing the culture.
The unsung hero of the Pistons' early success, however, is a player who has given Bickerstaff a source of depth he may not have expected: Ronald Holland II.
Holland is facing monumental expectations as the No. 5 overall selection in the 2024 NBA Draft. He turned in a respectable rookie season in 2024-25, averaging 6.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.0 assist, and 0.6 steals in 15.6 minutes per game on .474/.238/.754 shooting.
Beyond the numbers, Holland showed flashes of promise on both ends of the floor, attacking off the bounce, creating for others, and even defending at a high level in small doses.
Holland has made an unavoidable leap early in 2025-26, turning those flashes of brilliance into regular contributions. He's shooting with improved efficiency, turning the passing lanes into his second home, and producing at a level that proves he's not far from being a starting-caliber player.
The Pistons have effectively improved across the board, but what Holland offers Bickerstaff is an opportunity to play his promising second-year wing either with or without Cunningham on the court.
Ronald Holland II breaking out and giving Pistons unexpected depth
Holland is currently averaging 10.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.1 three-point field goals made in just 21.8 minutes per game. Those figures translate to 17.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.9 steals, and 1.9 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes.
In addition to producing with incredible volume for a second-year reserve, Holland has increased his shooting percentages across the board to .476/.346/.875.
It's been a steady output from Holland, which is perhaps the most intriguing sign of all. He's scored at least 10 points in five of the Pistons' eight games, and finished with nine points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block in one of the three exceptions.
Holland also posted seven points, two steals, and a block in 19 minutes during a win over the Boston Celtics, and overcame scoring just two points by offering up five rebounds, three offensive boards, two assists, and two steals in a victory against the Dallas Mavericks.
In each of those games, Holland displayed perhaps the most important characteristic of all: The ability to contribute in ways other than scoring.
Ronald Holland II is giving Pistons a little bit of everything off the bench
Holland is a crafty scorer who should be encouraged to get shots up, but his production as a rebounder, playmaker, and defender is equally as valuable. It not only makes a positive impact on the rotation, but makes it so Bickerstaff can justify playing the second-year wing when his shot isn't falling.
That's the most essential step any young player can make, and it appears as though Holland is well on his way to doing so in 2025-26.
It's also worth noting that Holland's shot selection has improved, as has his outside shooting. He's made at least one three-point field goal in six of his eight appearances, and is logically attempting more two-point field goals than threes.
Holland has also attempted at least seven shots in all but one game, which appears to reveal how important his scoring will be to the team's success and strategy.
Two key developments to keep an eye on are Holland shooting 52.9 percent on drives and 37.5 percent on catch-and-shoot threes. If he can sustain that efficient play, then the rest of his scoring arsenal should round into form accordingly.
It's still early, but at 20 years of age, Holland is showing all of the characteristics of the two-way player the Pistons dreamed of him becoming long-term.