For the Detroit Pistons, the scale was always going to be a little different than the rest of the league. Coming into the year there was hope for a step forward for a young core to maybe push towards the back end of the play-in, something like the seasons had by Oklahoma City and Indiana. 

Then, Cade Cunningham went down and everything changed. For each player or group of players, we have defined the goal of season goals in this longer-term framework, with an eye to creating a foundation for the future. In a rebuild, everyone is working towards different ends, making measuring by statistics or wins nearly impossible. Context matters, and often makes all the difference. 

However, before getting into the players, I would be remiss if I did not start with the now-former coach. 

Dwane Casey

Goal: Continue to develop and foster a Pistons culture

Result: Exceeded

Yes, Dwane Casey just coached the team that posted the worst record in the league by five games. Over the last four seasons, Detroit has won 80 games. Be that as it may, it is tough to look back on the job Casey did negatively. 

Were there times when veterans got more minutes than some fans would like? Certainly. But the list of players who showed clear improvement under his watch is notable. Christian Wood put together his best season, resulting in an eight-figure deal (he has since failed to click with any coach).  As you’ll see as we continue, many of the players that follow on this list took marked steps forward. 

Even more surprising, the culture spearheaded by Casey and general manager Troy Weaver is impressive given the utter lack of consistency due to injury or any sustained level of success. You could tell players were frustrated by losing, but it never boiled over. There were never any reports of discontent or infighting, a rarity for a young rebuild. Everyone seemed to be on the same page and just wanted each other to get better. Casey deserves credit for being that leader.

End of Rotation: Kevin Knox, Jared Rhoden, Stanley Umude, Braxton Key, Buddy Boeheim

Goal: G-League Fill-Ins

Result: N/A

Also known as the back end of the roster, this group just did not play enough to really measure much of anything. Four of the five played under 300 minutes in total. Kevin Knox saw far too many minutes for most early in the season, averaging 14.1 per game over 42 games.

This group of young players is the type of players you have on the back end of the roster. The point is to see if something pops. When so many players missed notable time throughout the season, they should be there to soak up more minutes.

Given that only Knox was able to push into the rotation under the circumstances tells you plenty about where they stand. There was no goal here. These players mostly filled in as G-League call-ups at the end of the bench. 

Nerlens Noel

Goal: Serviceable bench big

Result: Missed

Nerlens Noel logged similar minute totals to the previous group but does not have the excuse of being a younger player. After being part of the salary dump alongside Kemba Walker that netted the Pistons the pick that would become Jalen Duren, Noel really never fit with the team. 

Noel was thought of as a decent rim protector off the bench who may end up turning into a trade asset at the deadline for a team looking to fortify their front line. Instead, Noel suited up for just 14 games in the Motor City. He only played more than 20 minutes twice and never reached double figures in points or rebounds.

After there were no bites at the deadline, Noel took a buyout and played just three games in Brooklyn. This could be the end of the road for the former lottery pick. He has played just 42 games over the last two years for three different teams. He did not seem exceptionally bought into a mentorship role, either, so the avenues for continued employment may be drying up. 

RJ Hampton/Eugene Omoruyi

Goal: Show they belongs in the league

Result: Met

Two young players brought in for the stretch run of the season, both RJ Hampton and Eugene Omoruyi were looking to prove that they deserved a place in the league. Despite their varied paths, Hampton and Omoruyi showed that young players are not necessarily defined by their first steps. 

Hampton was a former five-star recruit. He has played for three teams over the last three seasons and continues to show flashes. His 27-point outburst in the last week of the season may have caught some eyes, he reached double figures in eight of his 21 games. Will he be a star? Doubtful, but he could be a solid fourth or fifth guard to provide a scoring spark.

Omoruyi was a little more of a surprise. Two different colleges. Undrafted in the 2021 draft. Four games as a rookie on a two-way contract for the Dallas Mavericks. This season, he was on the Oklahoma City Thunder for 23 games before landing in Detroit. 

After two successful 10-day contracts, the Pistons had to keep him for the rest of the season. Eight of his 17 games saw him score 10 or more points. He just looked comfortable. It would not be surprising to see him back on the roster next year. 

Cory Joseph/Rodney McGruder/Alec Burks

Goal: Take the next step as a veteran presence

Result: Exceeded

One of the more underrated aspects of a rebuild is finding veterans who are there to help build. They are not worried about their own output at the cost of a younger player. Helping that growth keeps them in the league and could eventually lead to something more. 

Cory Joseph has been here for three seasons, often feeling like an extension of his coach on and off the floor. Joseph is a more than suitable backup guard for most situations. With so many young guards on the team, having a leader in the locker room to help them grow in that role is essential. 

Rodney McGruder is the consummate professional. There have been stories written about how so many players consider him the dream teammate, most notably from James Edwards III at The Athletic. Having someone like him to be a sounding board for young teammates is how the season was able to not spin into drama like other rebuilds. 

Alec Burks had the most on-court impact this season of this trio. Once he was able to return from injury, Burks was a walking bucket. He was the 15th-best 3-point shooter in the league, nailing 41.4 percent of his 4.7 attempts. If the Pistons had made him available, he would have found himself contributing to a real team. Given their desire to push for competency next season, keeping him around makes complete sense. 

Cade Cunningham

Goal: Take the next step to stardom

Result: Incomplete

Come back to review Cade Cunningham next season. He only played in 12 games this season before finally addressing a long-standing injury. Averaging 19.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists while getting accustomed to two new high-usage teammates, however, is plenty of reason for optimism. 

Marvin Bagley III

Goal: Live up to the contract

Result: Missed

Plenty was made of the contract given to Marvin Bagley III last off-season. Troy Weaver had long been enamored with the former second-overall pick. After trading for him at the deadline last year, he was always going to be brought back. After signing a three-year $37.5 million, it was important for him to play up to that contract. 

This season was not that. Some of it is injuries. Between hand surgery and ankle issues, Bagley was limited to 41 games. However, even when he was in the lineup, consistency remained an issue. He would consistently put up numbers, like his 21-point, 18-rebound performance upon returning to the lineup, but the defense left plenty to be desired.

Given the lack of consistent rhythm, Bagley remains the key front-court prospect most likely to be moved. While a two-big system was the plan under Casey, it remains to be seen if Weaver will want that with his next coach. Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren are unlikely to be displaced by Bagley. Wiseman, acquired at this year’s deadline, stands to get a continued look as well. Bagley has been fine. But is fine worth that price point as the team looks to improve?

Saddiq Bey

Goal: Find your role

Result: Missed, at least in Detroit

Probably the most disappointing Piston of the season, Saddiq Bey came in with lofty of expectations. As a rookie, he was a flamethrower from distance and looked to be a foundational building block. Last season he tried to do more to diversify his game and struggled overall. 

This season, it was more of the same. He continued to shoot 34 percent from distance and was inconsistent on defense. His role was compromised by the addition of Bojan Bogdanovic. Isaiah Livers fit the more limited role better while being cheaper. 

Bey has found his role more coming off the bench in Atlanta and will remain a what-if for Pistons fans. He was shooting just 24.3 percent from 10 to 16 feet this season, down three percent from a season ago. Since moving to the bench in Atlanta, that is up to 42.9 percent while he is shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc.

Being the first first-round pick under Troy Weaver to be moved is an ignominious fate for Bey. Given how hot he was after his rookie season, this is not where anyone saw this going, moved at the deadline to take a chance on James Wiseman. However, by the time it happened, it made far too much sense.  

Hamidou Diallo:

Goal: Build toward his next deal

Result: Exceeded

I do not have to go much deeper into this. Two weeks ago I dove deep into Hamidou Diallo. For me, his goal this season was to garner a stronger foothold in the rotation and become an interesting free agent on the market this summer. Coming off his most efficient season finding a role to play should do just that. 

Isaiah Livers:

Goal: Become a rotation fixture

Result: Exceeded

Unless you were an avid participant of Pistons Twitter, your expectations for Isaiah Livers were likely not that high coming into the season. After playing just 19 games as a rookie you would have to have been a homer to expect Livers to become something to build upon. 

Livers, simply put, made Saddiq Bey expendable. Seeing real minutes saw his efficiency dip some, but he still converted from beyond the arc at a 36.4 percent clip. He continues to profile as one of the better defenders on the team, able to guard two through four reasonably. 

This will be essential if the team expects to turn the corner in any way next season. Only Bogdanovic and Burks were more effective floor spacers. The term “3-and-D” is overused but for a team building from the ground up, spacing is essential. For a team in the bottom five in defensive rating, having someone on the roster ready and willing to contribute on that end is required. Livers is a core piece for this franchise going forward. 

Bojan Bogdanovic:

Goal: Show he can contribute regardless of the situation

Result: Exceeded

The best player on the team for the largest chunk of the season, Bojan Bogdanovic surprised many. Those outside of the 313 likely figured he would be swapped out before long for draft compensation. 

Instead, Detroit signed the veteran to a two-year extension because of how much he embraced the situation. They needed a veteran player who brought it every night that could fit the young core. Bogdanovic does all of that. 

Posting the highest usage rate of his career (25.9) led to other career highs, specifically points (21.6) and assists (2.6). Even better, he was still extremely efficient, posting .488/.411/.884 shooting splits. Defense remained an issue, but with a tanking team that is part of the equation anyway. As the team looks to build a defense around the roster Bogdanovic will become even less of a liability. 

This was not supposed to be the usage level that Bojan faced this season. He was supposed to be a benefactor of Cunningham, not a usage-level replacement. The fact that he was able to shift into that when his younger teammate went out was a bright spot in a dark season.

James Wiseman:

Goal: Find a role

Result: Met

There was a varied response when Detroit traded for James Wiseman at the trade deadline. Some fans were bummed to see Saddiq Bey go. Others were intrigued by the potential of a former second-overall pick getting a change of scenery and opportunity. Plenty got off their jokes about too many centers. My initial reaction was documented here. 

The early returns on Wiseman are mostly positive. Starting 22 of 24 games, Wiseman averaged 12.7 points and 8.1 rebounds. He would be among the top 30 offensive rebounders in the league if his number in Detroit was his season-long mark. He even developed decent chemistry with rookie Jalen Duren, promising signs for a team intent on playing two bigs often. 

However, the future is still a question mark. This team will likely be looking to get minutes out of Duren, Wiseman, Bagley, and Isaiah Stewart in the paint, if not a potential number-one overall pick if the lottery smiles on Detroit. However, Wiseman showed that he plays well here and is willing to put in the work. Even if a move to the bench is more likely, there is a role for Wiseman here, which is a step forward. 

Isaiah Stewart:

Goal: Find his shot without losing other skills –

Result: Met

There have been whispers for a while that Isaiah Stewart could be a floor spacer. Given the changes to the roster, he would have to be. As a rookie, he played 100 percent of his minutes at center, followed by 98 percent in his second season. Any sort of change to playing with another big would be an adjustment. Furthermore, it would risk diminishing what he brings to the team.

Luckily, this concern was mostly assuaged. Splitting time between forward and center nearly evenly, Stewart was able to develop in what was a lost season for the franchise he played for. Part of this saw him attempt nearly double the 3-point attempts that he had taken over the combined first two seasons of his career. While his 32.7 percent conversion rate was below the league average, it is also somewhat misleading.  

He shot 36.6 percent from deep in the 2022 portion of the season, making the believers salivate. January saw him limited to nine games due to injury, and he shot just 11.5 percent. Despite making a third of his attempts in February, injuries ruined this mark. 

Stewart still showed enough to prove that this was something that could work. He and Duren make for a menacing paint presence, overflowing with muscle and verve. If he can continue to defend like a bulldog and space the floor just a bit, the ceiling is higher than some may imagine. 

Jalen Duren:

Goal: Earn real minutes, flash starter signs

Result: Exceeded

It is truly hard to remember that, at the beginning of the year, plenty were unsure if Duren would be able to force his way into the rotation. As the youngest player in the league, there were reasons to think he may start in the G-League. 

Instead, Duren looks to be a likely bet to make second-team All-Rookie. He was the best rebounder (8.9) among rookies and a top-five offensive rebounder (3.4) in the league overall. Also, he shot the eighth-best field goal percentage (64.8) in the league among players taking at least five shots per game.

Duren is offensively ahead of schedule. Mostly this is due to his game essentially being rim running, post-ups, and lobs. The defense needs work, but again, he is only 19. He missed the team’s primary playmaker for all but the first nine games of his career.

This is a prime example of why expectations matter for grading. For many players averaging 9.1 points and 8.9 rebounds in 24 minutes per game would be a shrug. When it is the league’s youngest player who came in expected to be the third or fourth big on the team, the success is clear.  

Killian Hayes:

Goal: Locate the vicinity of his shot

Result: Met (kind of)

Inconsistency will forever remain the issue with Killian Hayes. Defense and passing came into the season as known skills. For him to prove that he was an actual NBA player worth investing time and money into, let alone a team that has Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and the potential of drafting Amen Thompson or Scoot Henderson, he had to find his shot.

Hayes was top 25 (6.2) in assists and steals (1.4). He also shot just 37.8 percent from the field and 28.0 percent from beyond the arc. Frustratingly, there were stretches where promise was shown. From November to the NBA Paris game, Hayes shot 35.7 percent on 4.0 3-point attempts per game. That is more than a third of the season. It looked like he had finally put it together. 

The after-Paris stretch was truly ruinous. Over the last 32 games, Hayes shot 21.1 percent beyond the arc. Yes, he posted the first consecutive 20-point games in his career to end the season, including a career-high 28-point outing. 

Hayes is up for a contract extension this offseason. If that hot stretch had continued throughout the year, that would have been a likely possibility. Now, it would be irresponsible for the Pistons to not play this out into next year’s restricted free agency. 

Jaden Ivey:

Goal: Be one of the top five rookies

Result: Met

This goal was pretty easily defined by his draft position. Jaden Ivey was taken fifth overall in the 2022 draft, so the hope was that one year in he would still be ranked around that level. There were up and downs as expected, but overall the early returns are impressive. 

Ivey finished third among rookies in scoring (16.3), first in assists (5.2), and third amongst guards in rebounding (3.9). After the All-Star break, he improved to 19.3 points, 7.1 assists, and 3.7 rebounds while drilling 36.4 percent of his 3s. 

The absence of Cade Cunningham, while brutal for most of the roster, may have been the best thing for Ivey’s development as a rookie. He was able to see significant on-ball reps early and often. He spent time sharing the court with other guards, allowing him to see the game differently. With Cunningham coming back, he will be sharing the court with a different player than he saw after the first 12 games. 

As someone who was unsure of the fit coming in, consider this my mea culpa. Ivey proved he can play on- or off-ball. Cunningham showed that last season. The duo will be one of the most dynamic backcourts in the league in short order. Kudos to the Pistons for being able to boast that. 

The post Pistons Season Review: Assessing the Rebuild appeared first on Swish Theory.

Draft experts are often drawn more to these players because they see the ceiling. Coaches, however (especially in more dire situations) tend to shy away because they know that potential takes time, something the coach themselves is rarely afforded. However, if they were able to ride the rollercoaster of development, the reward could very well be worth the reward. 

With that in mind, Hamidou Diallo should be considered by many teams during the upcoming free agency period.

Archetypal Examples

Often, after one too many sophomoric mistakes, coaches can be unmotivated to continue to give young players reps. It is easy to forget just why a front office signed them in the first place, especially in the middle of a listless season, with little to play for over months at a time. But these developmental reps, often when few are watching, can be of immense value for flawed players attempting to make a leap to relevance.

Josh Smith came out of high school raw as could be. By the time he left Atlanta, he was considered one of the best active players to never make an All-Star appearance with career averages of 15.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.1 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game. Even if that was his peak (let’s not talk about his time in Detroit), those nine seasons were worth the developmental time, a key contributor to playoff teams in Atlanta.

Aaron Gordon may be the peak of this archetype working out currently without being too lofty. Never quite an All-Star, but turning over time the sparks of stardom to become a vital cog on a title-contending team. For the ceiling, Jaylen Brown is what it looks like if everything hits right. Elite defender, has All-NBA upside and can be one of the top two scorers on a title team. Jonathan Kuminga fits into this mold as well, adjusting to a role he likely didn’t expect for himself under the guidance of the Golden State Warriors’ system.

Today’s Case

This brings us to Hamidou Diallo, not as lauded as these precedents as the #45 pick in his draft. Diallo is likely set up to be a reserve for the foreseeable future. However, it is unfair to Diallo to consider him a lost cause by any means. The energy and athleticism he showcases every time he touches the court are tantalizing. Despite only playing 18 minutes per game, he is second on the team in deflections, third in steals, fourth in loose balls recovered. His dynamic play especially shines in transition, where he is tied with Tyrese Maxey for tenth in the league in transition scoring efficiency at 71% effective field goal percentage, getting to the line once of every five transition possessions.

For anyone who is not a regular watcher of the Detroit Pistons, it may be easy to underrate the impact Hamidou Diallo can make on the court. Plenty of Pistons fans did just that when the trade was made on March 13, 2021, to swap out Svi Mykhailiuk. Since then Mykhailiuk has played for four teams while Diallo has endeared himself to his new fanbase. 

Statistical Comparison

Do not get me wrong, I am not alluding to an All-NBA trajectory for Diallo. However, there is plenty to like here. Here is a statistical comparison of these four players over the first five seasons per 36 minutes:

Smith (2005-2009): 15.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.3 steals, and 2.6 blocks

Brown (2016-2021): 19.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.5 blocks

Gordon (2014-2019): 16.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.8 blocks

Diallo (2019-present): 16.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.6 blocks

Diallo’s stats are not far off from what we see in these comp cases, even as they were all much higher-priority draft picks. Diallo has improved despite playing the least minutes (4,913 compared to 12,550, 9,339, and 9,500) and games (263 vs. 376, 337, and 341) of the group, lending to variability of performance as well. Importantly, though, the rebounding and steals numbers stand out as the 6’5” guard has made himself a consistent physical presence. Remember he is doing this in a tanking situation and imagine what he could bring to a winner, and with a clearer role in future seasons.

Efficiency was less than stellar overall early on. Despite being primarily a dunker, Smith did not clear 45 percent from the field until year 4. Gordon continued to chuck 3s even though they were not something he ever really mastered. Only Brown found his stride there and it is why his ceiling is the highest of the group. What was important for each was their team finding the role they fit in. Diallo giving up on the three-ball has been a blessing, with career-high true shooting that is above league average for the first time in his career even as his rate of scoring has increased.

Developmental Differences

Brown is a different animal given the impressive development of his shotmaking over his career. He was paired with elite talent early on in his career and found his spots from the start. Gordon, on the other hand, needed to move on from Orlando to Denver to find his role. No longer was he looked at as a foundational building block. He could be a fourth option on offense and an elite defender. Smith was helped by playing off of Al Horford where he could become a dunker, rebounder, and defender with solid passing chops.

What was paramount for both of them and what Detroit is doing with Diallo, is putting them alongside top-scoring options who are still willing to get others involved. Gordon is blossoming alongside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Smith took off with the ascendance of Joe Johnson and Al Horford. For Diallo, fitting in with the core of Detroit as it grows or in a newer situation would be paramount to his development. Playing off of Bojan Bogdanovic has been a boon for Hamidou in particular, with their +6.9 net rating together being Detroit’s top duo of any that has played 250+ minutes this season.

But now, the future is unclear. Diallo is slated to miss the rest of the season with an ankle sprain. As an upcoming free agent, it is worth looking at what he has shown to both Detroit and others to get his new contract. When looking at this, it also sheds some insight into why writing off a project before seeing it through can come back to punish anyone in the league. This is the resume that Diallo is presenting to those who should sign him.

Potential Lows

When it comes to investing in this archetype of player, there will be highs and lows. The flashes of brilliance (more on those later) get scouts drooling. Then things like this happen:

Just a little too aggressive. Not quite sure how to get into position. When this happens in closer games that mean something, that is a quick way to get a hook. In fact, Diallo found himself regularly out of the rotation early in his tenure in Detroit. Dwane Casey wanted to develop him, but he also wanted it clear that trust is earned.

Sometimes there is too much spring. Other times, gambling gets you out of position. However, one of the most common issues is trusting athleticism over mechanics too often, and that leading to mistakes.

It is tough watching this and calling this play a failure. He outhustles everyone and the move at the rim is so smooth. However, if Hamidou Diallo did something less flashy on the drive, perhaps he could have converted the basket before the buzzer. That drives coaches crazy.

Other times, confidence goes too far. If this dunk connects, even the Minnesota faithful would have lost their minds. Diallo rose up and was met at the rim by a mountain of muscle. This is not the end of the world when this happens on occasion. But, if you get less than seven shots a game, if a few are ill-advised aggression into a defender much bigger than you could quickly lose those opportunities.

Defensive Positive

Negatives aside, there is so much potential on both ends of the ball. If this type of talent is cultivated the rewards jump off the page.

This play is borderline harassment. He survives the pick and switch. Using his nearly 7-foot wingspan he is able to eliminate the passing lane without even looking. And, as will be a common theme for the former Slam Dunk Contest winner, the end result typically sees him rim running. Being able to realistically put Hami on a power forward and point guard successfully in the same position showcases his versatility.

In niche situations, he can even cover some fives. Keeping the feet moving and staying in front of a barrelling Naz Reid has been an increasingly tougher assignment across the league this season. The verticality, though, is chef’s kiss. Two years ago Hami would have almost always ended that play with a foul. Instead, he stays straight up, forces the deflection, and keys the transition attack.

Getting the athleticism to truly work often shows in recovery. For most players, if they were caught in a pick and their man got free, the shot is not going to be contested by them. Instead of remaining a step behind Anthony Edwards, Diallo takes the road less traveled and volleyball spikes his shot at the rim.

This is why, on the defensive end, it is worth working with players in this mold. if they’re willing to put in the hard work, refining this is rewarding. Over the course of four plays we saw Hamidou Diallo guard all five positions. Switchability and disruption are teachable skills with the right physical tools. He has been held accountable on that end and it is starting to come together. It also allows him to often remain the offensive human highlight film.

Offensive Explosion

Different players take the reigns their athleticism in different ways. Hamidou Diallo becomes an acrobat and a rim murderer.

It is easy to forget that Diallo once won a Dunk Contest. The event has become something of an afterthought and at the time he was a second-round rookie. But watching what he does in-game, you get it real quick.

It is far more than that, though. Even up in the air, Diallo is able to contort his body around defenders and plays the glass well. This is not easy to do, but Hami does this at least once every time he is on the floor. Would you prefer a little less flash and perhaps a little more shooting (27.4 from beyond the arc for his career)? Sure. But this is fun too.

For Diallo, it is a lot of cuts, putbacks, oops, and transition. He is a capable passer and is unselfish with the ball. His teammates love him and he is showing that hard work can absolutely pay off.

Where Do We Go From Here

Diallo being a looming free agent presents some questions for a team with the worst record in the league. As a non-shooter, it is tough to start him alongside the bigs and Ivey who need spacing. Off the bench, there is a little more room for him to work as he provides a release valve as often the most athletic player on the floor with just enough skill to get things done.

This is why it is a blessing and a curse for teams to develop this kind of player. Shooting is often the swing skill. If Diallo could shoot he would be a starter for plenty of team in the league. As is, he is likely a career rotation player, or maybe fifth starter in an ideal spot. If he goes to another team fans who have not kept up with his Pistons tenure (and, fair) will likely roll their eyes. Then he will check in during a second quarter of a November game. He will swallow up a block and drive in transition. He will set Twitter (if it still exists) ablaze with a hammer over a hapless defender.

These kinds of players have value. Diallo brings it every night, and has turned himself into a player who deserves all the minutes he gets. Even when his teammates are in the season’s doldrums, Diallo is always ready for the smoke. That plus the defense, dunking, and energy make him, and his ilk, some of the most fun prospects to take a chance on. Teams with a space on the bench should absolutely be calling his number.

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