Paul Reed
Best-case scenario: Reed continues to put up stats at the same rate but playing more minutes, leads the Pistons in blocks and steals and knocks down more 3-point shots. He plays well enough that the Pistons start to wonder why they are paying Isaiah Stewart twice as much to put up the same numbers. Reed is recognized as one of the best backup bigs in the game.
Worst-case scenario: Reed plays spot minutes behind Duren and Stewart and doesn’t do much. He doesn’t increase his volume or accuracy behind the 3-point line, which makes it difficult to play him with another big. The Pistons now have an overpaid third center and have to eat the guaranteed part of his salary when they cut him in the offseason.
Ron Holland
Best-case scenario: Holland makes the rotation right away as a versatile defender off the bench. His defense makes it hard to keep him out of the starting lineup and he an Ausar Thompson form an elite defensive duo when the Pistons need a stop. He is the primary backup small forward, hits 30+ percent of his 3-point shots and challenges for Rookie of the Year as a backup for a play-in team.
Worst-case scenario: A repeat of last year. Holland can’t make the Pistons’ rotation, so he spends most of the season in the G-League, where his shooting efficiency doesn’t improve and he is mostly going through the motions, taking and missing a ton of shots and not developing. He looks lost in the minutes he gets for the Pistons, is hesitant and unsure and doesn’t take or make many shots. Impatient Pistons fans start to question whether Trajan Langdon’s first draft pick is a bust.