tsedwards23-blog - Tumblr blog

[tsedwards23-blog]

Time for Pistons to Rebuild?

Unfortunately Mr. Big Shot, Big Ben, and Rip ain’t walking through that door for the Pistons!  At this point it may be time to just break it all down and start fresh. Since the 2008 season the largest amount of victories in a single season is just 44 which is definitely below the standard. Blake isn’t getting any younger or healthier, it is what it is with Reggie Jackson, and when your starting wings are Bruce Brown and Wayne Ellington...you’re in trouble. Here’s a list on the Detroit’s 1st round pics since 2008:

DJ White, Austin Daye, Greg Monroe, Brandon Knight, Andre Drummond, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Stanley Johnson, Henry Ellenson, Luke Kennard

With the exception of Drummond (who still needs to develop his post game more) and possibly Kennard this is a less than impressive list. Then, when you look at the fact that guys like Jrue Holiday (very underrated), Kemba Walker, Devin Booker, and some guy name Giannis were passed up along the way you pretty much wanna cry. Oh and let’s not forget that during this same period of time Khris Middleton and Spencer Dinwiddie were acquired in the 2nd round...and unfortunately let go. 

With the way the team is currently constructed it’s a situation where the team isn’t good enough to compete with the top tier teams in the east but not bad enough to get a top 5 pick. Basically it’s the equivalent of being a 7-9 or 8-8 team in the NFL (kind of like the Lions but that’s a different topic for a different day). Unfortunately, this upcoming summer doesn’t look ideal for any moves to happen. Reggie Jackson has another year left on his deal and Blake is locked up until at least the end of the 2020-21 season (has a player option for 2021 season). Maybe they can get the Lakers to take him if they don’t get any of the free agents they’re really targeting? 

The time has come for the Detroit Pistons to return to prominence! Despite the overall tone of this post I do believe there are some pieces to build around. Drummond has the potential to dominate for years to come, Kennard has shown flashes of becoming an elite perimeter threat, a solid, veteran backup PG in Ish Smith, and I have a ton of faith in the coaching ability of Dwane Casey. If they can acquire a true floor general to start at PG and a wing player who can become an All-Star down the line then I think they’ll have the ingredients needed to once again become the Pistons that we know and love.