In a few years, the Pistons might have some of the most exciting young players in the NBA. Maybe as soon as next year, depending on the development of Killian Hayes and Sekou Doumbouya.
And don't forget Saddiq Bey.
But for now, their only stars are their vets.
Related
In ESPN's ranking of the top 100 players in the game, two Pistons earned mention: Blake Griffin and free-agent acquisition Jerami Grant.
Grant came in at No. 88, one spot ahead of Jazz F Joe Ingles and one spot behind Kings SG Buddy Hield. He wasn't ranked last year.
"During Denver's run to the conference finals, Grant moved from backing up at power forward to starting at small forward and serving as Denver's wing stopper," writes Kevin Pelton. "He cashed in on a three-year, $60 million deal with the Pistons, who intend to put the ball in his hands more frequently."
Griffin dropped from No. 23 to No. 65, one spot ahead of Raptors C Serge Ibaka and one spot behind Cavs F Kevin Love. A third-team All-NBA selection in 2018-19, Griffin played just 18 games last season before undergoing knee surgery.
"Griffin has undergone a transformation from a skywalking dunker to a stretch big," writes Royce Young. "And even with his dip in relevancy moving from L.A. to Detroit, when he has played, he has been a star-level player. But as it has always been, his primary issue is health."
A number of former Pistons made the top 100 as well, with one notable exception: Andre Drummond.
Here are the six who made it:
- Clippers F Marcus Morris: 99 (last year: not ranked). The Pistons dealt Morris to the Celtics in the 2017 offseason in the Avery Bradley trade.
- Lakers SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: 77 (NR). The Pistons renounced the rights to Caldwell-Pope in the 2017 season, following the Bradley trade. Drafted eighth overall by Detroit in 2013.
- 76ers F Tobias Harris: 57 (29). The Pistons dealt Harris to the Clippers in 2018 in the Blake Griffin trade.
- Rockets C Christian Wood: 55 (NR). The Pistons allowed Wood to depart as a free agent this year after signing Mason Plumlee.
- Nets PG Spencer Dinwiddie: 49 (76). The Pistons traded Dinwiddie to the Bulls in the 2016 offseason for Cameron Bairstow. Drafted 38th overall by Detroit in 2014.
- Bucks SG Khris Middleton: 35 (36). The Pistons dealt Middleton to the Bucks in the 2013 offseason in the Brandon Jennings trade. Drafted 39th overall by Detroit in 2012.