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Despite having low expectations for the 2020-21 NBA season, the Detroit Pistons still have the potential to provide an entertaining experience.
Troy Weaver, the new general manager, wasted no time in initiating a rebuild in Detroit alongside third-year coach Dwane Casey by completely revamping last season’s roster.
Despite the potential for inconsistent performance due to the presence of many young players, the Pistons possess several captivating player narratives that deserve attention as the regular season commences on December 22. The team’s inaugural game is scheduled for December 23 against the Timberwolves in Minnesota.
Are you planning to watch the tipoff? Maybe you’re looking for a reason to see if the Pistons will finally show some life this year? Well, here are five reasons for you.
1. Blake Griffin
Entering his fourth season with the team, Blake Griffin continues to be the most well-known name on the Pistons.
Due to complications from knee surgery, Griffin’s 2019-20 season was quite underwhelming, with him only managing to play 18 games. Unfortunately, he had to undergo a second surgery on his left knee in January, which ultimately ended his season. This marked the second time he underwent the procedure within a span of nine months.
Over the past few weeks, the Pistons roster has undergone significant changes, with Griffin being one of the few familiar faces from last year. However, despite this, Griffin remains determined to regain his top form for the upcoming season.
Griffin had an outstanding season with Detroit in 2018-19, showcasing his talent in years. Throughout 75 games, he consistently averaged 24.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.4 assists.
We hope that Griffin still has something to offer, whether it’s playing hard to secure his legacy or to become an attractive trade option for a contender.
This season, DraftKings Sportsbook has designated Griffin as a longshot with odds of +25000 to secure the NBA MVP Award.
2. Sekou Doumbouya
The Pistons had high aspirations for Sekou Doumbouya when they selected him as the 15th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, envisioning him as their potential version of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Last season, Sekou, a towering forward standing at 6’8″ and weighing 230 lbs, began to display glimpses of his raw talent and potential.
Despite only averaging 6.4 points and 3.1 rebounds over 38 games, there was a notable eight-game period in early January where he excelled with an average of 14 points and 5.25 rebounds per game. Additionally, he achieved two double-doubles during this time.
In year two, it is likely that Sekou will continue to have inconsistent performances, fluctuating between impressive and underwhelming games.
In the preseason opener against the New York Knicks, he played for only 11 minutes but managed to score 4 points and grab 4 rebounds.
Nevertheless, in the subsequent preseason game on Sunday, he responded with an impressive performance of 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
This season, DraftKings has set the odds for Doumbouya to win the Most Improved Player Award at +8000.
3. Killian Hayes
Despite the Pistons likely expecting a higher draft position in 2020, they managed to acquire a promising point guard, Killian Hayes, even at No. 7.
At only 19 years old, Hayes stands tall at 6’5″ and weighs 192 lbs. As a French American, he has made significant contributions to France’s FIBA U17 and U16 programs while playing overseas.
In 2017, Hayes played a crucial role in France’s victory at the FIBA U16 European Championship, earning the title of Most Valuable Player. Coach Casey wasted no time in thrusting him into action, as Hayes has already started both preseason games.
In his first two games, Hayes recorded a total of 11 points, 7 assists, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals. Nonetheless, he struggled with turnovers in his debut, committing 7 of them.
The Pistons believe that Hayes, despite being young and inexperienced, is their point guard of the future, even though running such a roster may result in encountering challenging situations.
Hayes has been listed at +600 by DraftKings as a potential winner of the NBA Rookie of the Year Award for this season.
Rookie of the Year odds | BetRivers | DraftKings | FanDuel | PointsBet | William Hill |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Killian Hayes | +600 | +600 | +950 | +900 | +900 |
4. Isaiah Stewart
Last month, the Detroit Pistons were highly active on draft night. Engaging in numerous negotiations and transactions, they successfully secured three selections within the top 19 and a total of four picks for the entire evening.
One of their picks included Isaiah Stewart at No. 16, which they obtained by trading with the Houston Rockets.
The center hailing from Washington is 19 years old and has a height of 6’9” with a weight of 250 lbs. During his time with the Huskies, Stewart boasted an average of 17 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game over the course of a year.
White’s impressive 77% free-throw shooting is one of his standout qualities. Additionally, he confidently hit five 3-pointers, providing the Pistons with flexibility to position him strategically for offensive plays.
Stewart’s playing time has been limited to a total of 15 minutes across two preseason games, but it is expected to increase as the season progresses. Given his role as an energy player, Stewart has a great opportunity to win over the fans in Detroit and become a beloved player.
Stewart’s odds to win Rookie of the Year are listed at +8000 by DraftKings.
5. Josh Jackson
The player chosen as the No. 4 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft failed to establish himself during his time with the Phoenix Suns for two seasons. Furthermore, he encountered difficulties in the previous year, appearing in only 22 games with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Josh Jackson may find the spark he needs to fulfill his pre-NBA potential by returning home to Detroit.
In the offseason, the Pistons secured the services of the ex-prep star from Detroit Consortium by offering a 2-year contract worth slightly below $10 million.
Jackson has maintained an average of 11.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game over his three-year NBA career. However, his shooting percentages are slightly below average, with a 41.7 percent accuracy from the field and 29.8 percent accuracy from the three-point arc.
Jackson’s role in the Pistons rotation is currently uncertain, but given the inexperienced roster, he is expected to have opportunities to showcase his skills. Though he faced limited playing time in the preseason opener due to foul trouble, he managed to play for 19 minutes on Sunday and displayed a promising performance, scoring 9 points, providing 3 assists, and making 2 steals.
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