Summer League has been a special time for fans of the Detroit Pistons over the past five seasons, as it’s been the time of maximum optimism.
The shambles of the previous season are in the rearview and there is nothing but hope surrounding the new additions and the better days to come.
It usually results in a huge overreaction about a draft pick, with someone getting called a future superstar or bust way too early. Who will be this year's Summer League legend?
The Pistons Summer League starts this weekend and you can get all of the information you need about it here.
They’ve also released their final Summer League Roster, which did have some notable omissions. It will be our first chance to see Ron Holland and Bobi Klintman, but of the young players from last season, only Marcus Sasser will take part in the event.
I didn’t expect to see Cade Cunningham or Jaden Ivey, but I thought Ausar Thompson might get some run and that it was possible Jalen Duren might play a game or two.
But the Pistons are going to be cautious with Ausar coming off his season ending with blood clots, and Duren is prepping with the USA Select team.
This could also be a vote of confidence for these young players that they have done enough to earn time off from this event.
In the end, the omissions make sense, but have left the Detroit Pistons with a Summer League roster lacking the pedigree of ones they have run out in the past few seasons.
Detroit Pistons Summer League roster
If you aren’t familiar with most of the names on this list, you aren’t the only one, as most of these players are fringe prospects that are unlikely to be in the NBA. However, the same was said about Naji Marshall, Herb Jones and Jose Alvarado, all guys who got their starts in Summer League under Trajan Langdon, so let’s hope there are some hidden gems in this group:
Player | Position |
|---|---|
Will Baker | Center |
Aaron Estrada | Guard |
Devon Higgs | Guard |
Kam Hankerson | Guard |
Ron Holland II | Forward |
Daniss Jenkins | Guard |
Jayce Johnson | Center |
Bobi Klintman | Forward |
Javante McCoy | Guard |
Sam Peek | Forward |
Marcus Sasser | Guard |
Jalen Slawson | Forward |
Tolu Smith | Forward/Center |
Ross Williams | Guard |
Summer League tips off this weekend with the Pistons taking on the 76ers. The game will be televised on ESPN 2 at 7:00 ET and will be your first opportunity to see rookies Ron Holland and Bobi Klintman in live NBA action.