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 22: Andre Drummond #0 and Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons talk during Game Four of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks on April 22, 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1. Make a plan for Blake and Andre Drummond

For better or worse, the fate of the Pistons for the next two seasons is pinned to Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond. It’s easy to get lost in all the ways in which their salaries handcuff the Pistons and the ways in which their games don’t complement each other. But they are both very good basketball players, clearly the two best players on the team, and Detroit has to figure out a way to get more out of them.

One option is really pushing the limits on how much the two bigs are staggered. Across the 2018-19 season, each played about 25 percent of his minutes without the other on the floor. That was on the higher end for staggering stars but there are still at least a few extra minutes per game where this pattern could be pushed more. In addition, the Pistons could really focus on having Drummond fill the elbow-facilitator role when Griffin is on the bench. He had blossomed in that role before the trade was made for Griffin and has never quite been given the same opportunities since.

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In addition, it feels like there is more that could be drawn out of the big partnership, be it high-low actions, 4-5 pick-and-rolls or other strategic wrinkles. Griffin had 80 assists to Drummond last season, more than he had with any other player but still an average of essentially one per game.

This pairing may feel like lemons to Pistons fans sometimes, but there is plenty of lemonade to be made.

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