With more than a quarter of the season in the books and the trade deadline approaching, now seems like a fair time to evaluate the Detroit Pistons as they currently stand, as well as where they are headed.
Trajan Langdon preached patience, a word fans did not want to hear, but he stuck by it, not trading any of the young players he inherited, but instead giving them better teammates and head coach who can help them succeed and give him a more accurate evaluation.
The Pistons have seven regulars that qualify as “young,” and their results have been a mixed bag this season, leaving their future role with the team in doubt, especially since Trajan Langdon didn’t draft most of them.
Here they are ranked from least to most important for the future of the Pistons. We know who #1 is, but you might find some areas of disagreement otherwise.
#7: Marcus Sasser
I like Sasser. He plays hard and he makes shots, but does he have a future with this team? Possibly as a spark plug off the bench, similar to the role Malik Beasley is playing now, but it’s also easy to see him shipped off as a sweetener in a trade.
His minimum contract may eventually come in handy, but I wouldn’t expect him to be a big part of the future core.
#6: Jalen Duren
Let’s get spicy right away! I know he is still very young, and he has shown some flashes, but the ones on defense have been too few and too inconsistent.
He still isn’t a good defender and the worst part is that the effort is often not there. He’ll loaf back on defense and let his man score or get lost in transition, stuck between the 3-point line and the paint. Most of Duren’s value has been theoretical thus far. That can change, but right now, he seems like the center most likely to get traded.
I haven’t given up on Duren and he’s going to get chances to prove himself, but as of right now, he’s the young piece I’d be reluctant to extend.
#5: Isaiah Stewart
This is less about Stewart and more about his job, which is a role player. You can argue he should be starting on this team (I have) but it’s hard to argue that he’s a starting NBA center.
I love Stew as a backup energy guy, but those aren’t that hard to find. He’s the perfect type of role player for a good team, but how long before the Pistons are that?
#4: Jaden Ivey
I know a lot of people will disagree with this, but I actually had a hard time not putting Ivey lower. He has made clear strides this season, has been more efficient and at times looks the part of Cade Cunningham’s running mate. At times.
But most of the questions still remain and when I look around the league, I just don’t see a lot of guys in Ivey’s mold making a big difference. I’d love Ivey as a 6th man, and if that is his ultimate role, he could thrive in Detroit, but the team still needs upgrades on the wing.
Ivey is a guy you have to hide defensively, and he’s still too inconsistent from night to night. Ivey’s FG% is essentially the same as last season even though he’s had a bump in 3-point shooting.
I like Ivey, but I’m still not sure he’s the right fit. He might also be their best trade chip, as he’s still on a rookie deal for one more season and has certainly shown potential.
#3: Ron Holland II
Ok, this might be a big premature, but I just like his game. Holland plays his butt off, is already a good defender and rebounder and has shown promise around the rim as a finisher.
His profile as a big guard/wing who can defend is a vital one in the current NBA, and he’s still so young that you can forget about his 3-point shooting (which has looked better of late).
He’s also the first player Trajan Langdon drafted on the Pistons and under financial control for the longest, so I expect him to be around.
Duren and Ivey are both eligible for extensions next summer and I wouldn’t be surprised if they are gone before then.
The Pistons simply can’t keep all of them, but my money is on Holland at this point.
#2: Ausar Thompson
Thompson is clearly not 100 percent yet and it is showing around the rim, where he’s been terrible.
But he impacts the game every time he comes in, with his defense, his energy and his ability to pass and get to the rim in transition. I am still very high on Ausar’s potential, and like Holland, plays an important position.
Could we see a Cade, Ausar, Holland lineup at some point this season? Maybe, but we’re more likely to see it in the future after Langdon has made the tough decisions about the rest of the young core.
#1: Cade Cunningham
A no-brainer. Not only is Cunningham on his way to being an All-Star this season, he might sniff All-NBA if the team can log a few more wins.
He’s the only player on the team that currently has that kind of projection, so it’s clear they are going to be building around Cade until they have someone better or he begs for a trade.
I don’t know if Cade’s number two is on this team yet, nor if he’s not ultimately it, but right now he represents their best hope, is their best player and is the most important to the future, either as a superstar for the Pistons or the trade piece that sets off another rebuild.