5 offseason needs for the Detroit Pistons

By Ian Levy | May 3, 2019

DETROIT, MI - APRIL 22: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons sits between teammates Zaza Pachulia #27, left, and Ish Smith #14 after fouling out during the fourth quarter of Game Four of the first round of the 2019 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks at Little Caesars Arena on April 22, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

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DETROIT, MI – APRIL 20: Bruce Brown #6 of the Detroit Pistons looks on before Game Three of Round One against the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 20, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Set some goals for the young guards

There aren’t any young stars on Detroit’s roster, waiting to break out. But there are some potentially useful contributors who could step forward, particularly the second-year backcourt trio of Bruce Brown, Khryi Thomas and Svi Mykhailiuk.

Brown played in 74 games, starting 56, and averaged nearly 20 minutes per game as a rookie. He was a positive defender but his role was limited by his enormous offensive shortcomings. Brown finished just 44.4 percent of his shots at the rim and 25.8 percent of his 3-pointers. He has some potential as a secondary ball-handler but that impact is limited if he can’t finish and it’s extremely hard to have him on the floor with Drummond and Griffin if he can’t at least threaten the defense by spotting up.

Thomas played just 195 NBA minutes but was very impressive in the 10 G League games he played with the Grand Rapids Drive. He averaged 20.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.7 steals per game, shooting 50 percent from the field, 43.8 percent on 3-pointers and 90 percent from the line. The efficiency may be a bit of a mirage but he has defensive upside, the size to guard both backcourt positions and looks like a capable spot-up shooter and secondary playmaker.

Svi appeared in just three games for Detroit after being traded from the Lakers but, like Thomas, impressed in his G League minutes. His defensive upside is lower but he’s a very good outside shooter who also showed some potential as a secondary playmaker.

As the Pistons rethink their roster around Blake Griffin, they need shooting, playmaking and defense on the wings. This group all looks like they could provide it.

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