Rod Beard | The Detroit News
The Pistons are 10-26, and in terms of midseason grades, that would seem to be license to hand out a bunch of failing grades and to down the team.
This isn’t that grading system.
The midseason grades are based on what the expectations were for the team before the season, considering the rookies didn’t have Summer League or very much offseason preparation for the leap to the NBA. It’s not a curve; rather, it’s more grading based on expectation and whether each player reached that, not just simple numbers and production.
Several players haven’t played 10 games, which is the bar for getting a grade; anything less will get an incomplete.
Here are the grades for the first half of the season:
Backcourt
► Wayne Ellington. Stats: 10.8 points, 1.7 rebounds, 43% 3FG in 28 games. Age: 33. He was one of the last veterans signed to fill out the roster and has turned into a starter and high-volume contributor. He’s having one of his best seasons and went through a hot streak that dramatically increased his trade value. The Pistons value his professionalism and veteran presence, but if he can help a contender and they can get a draft pick for him, that would be a win. Grade: A-
► Killian Hayes. Stats: 4.6 points, 3.6 assists, 28% FG in seven games. Age: 19. Hayes, the No. 7 overall pick, has been sidelined since early in the season because of a torn hip labrum. His first few games were a difficult adjustment to the NBA He’ll return this season, and the focus will be for him to reach the same level of the other rookies. His shooting and feel for the NBA speed of the game will need to improve. Grade: Incomplete
► Frank Jackson. Stats: 1.8 points, 1.1 assists, 31% 3FG in nine games. Age: 22. Jackson has some NBA experience and although he’s on a two-way contract, he has gotten some playing time. It’s not enough to make any real gauge for his value to the team, but he’s shown some small flashes. Grade: Incomplete
► Saben Lee. Stats: 7.1 points, 2.3 assists, 67% 3FG in 15 games. Age 21. The Pistons traded into the second round to get Lee and signed him to a two-way contract. He didn’t look to have a role this season, but after Hayes’ injury and Derrick Rose was traded, Lee found himself in the rotation. He’s responded very well, with a couple of 20-point games, and he’s looked very comfortable playing big chunks of minutes. As his shot improves, he’ll be a steal in this draft. Grade: A-
► Rodney McGruder. Stats: 4.8 points, 1 rebound, 50% 3FG in 12 games. Age: 29. There weren’t any high expectations for McGruder, but when called upon, he’s delivered some productive minutes. In the last two games before the break, he delivered 20 and 13 points, respectively, opening some eyes to the type of player he’s been for most of his career. Coach Dwane Casey has called McGruder a consummate professional, and he’s shown that. Grade: B
► Dennis Smith Jr. Stats: 8.3 points, 3.8 assists, 35% 3FG in 12 games with Pistons. Age: 23. Acquired in the Rose trade, Smith has been elevated from reclamation to revelation. The Knicks had all but given up on him, but he’s found some solid footing and with more opportunity, he has looked more like a top-10 pick, which he was in the 2017 draft. His defense has been eye-opening and he’s been unafraid to go to the rim. His long-term future is a question mark, but he has a chance. Grade: B+
► Delon Wright. Stats: 10.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 38% 3FG in 29 games. Age: 28. The Pistons were looking for a combo guard who could play either position and to help Killian Hayes in his transition. Wright has overachieved, filling in after Hayes’ injury and providing good all-around production in heavy minutes. He could be the subject of some trade talks, as the Pistons could look to cash in on his higher value at the deadline. Grade: B+
Frontcourt
► Saddiq Bey. Stats: 9.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 39% 3FG in 34 games. Age: 21. He’s been one of the breakout rookies in the league, though he was taken 19th in the draft. Bey scored in double figures in seven of his first nine games and had a season-high 30 points against the Celtics, with 7-of-7 on 3-pointers. He’s moved into a starting role after Blake Griffin’s departure, and he’ll have plenty of room to grown into one of the foundational pieces. Grade: B+
► Sekou Doumbouya. Stats: 4.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, 25% 3FG in 32 games. Age: 20. He should have been a bigger beneficiary of playing time during a rebuild, but Doumbouya suffered the most because of playing behind Jerami Grant and Griffin. In normal times, he likely would have gotten more time in the G League, but he’ll have to make the most of his playing opportunities. His shooting hasn’t been good, but that should improve when he gets in a rhythm. Grade: C-
► Jerami Grant. Stats: 23.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 36% 3FG in 33 games. Age: 26. Grant gambled on himself as a role player with the Nuggets to take a primary role with the Pistons. It’s paid off well, as he’s emerged as a potential All-Star who can handle the increased workload. He can score from all levels offensively and he’s proven to be a standout defender who will be the foundation of the franchise during the coming rebuild. Grade: A
► Josh Jackson. Stats: 13.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 43% FG in 32 games. Age: 23. Jackson has been one of the biggest surprises on the roster this season, mainly as the offensive spark off the bench. His defense has been stellar on the opposing top scorers, and he’s been able to get to the basket much more than many expected. He’s among the team leaders in turnovers, which is one of the areas he’ll need to improve on. Grade: B
► Svi Mykhailiuk. Stats: 6.8 points, 2 rebounds, 34% 3FG in 35 games. Age: 23. Mykhailiuk is one of only two remaining players from last season’s roster, and he’s shown flashes of having a breakout. His playing time has been irregular and his production has been up and down in the games he’s played, but he’s shown that he’s worth the time investment the Pistons have put in. He’ll be eligible for an extension after this season, so the future will be one to watch. Grade: B
► Jahlil Okafor. Stats: 4.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 60% FG in 12 games. Age: 25. He was initially brought in at the veteran’s minimum to be in the rotation, but a knee injury has sidelined Okafor since late in January. For the role he was brought in to do, he’s been a solid presence, with good rebounding and post play. Grade: B-
► Mason Plumlee. Stats: 10.4 points, 9.1 rebounds, 61% FG in 34 games. Age: 31. He was one of the big signings in free agency, but there weren’t sky-high expectations for Plumlee. Still, he’s been very steady and has been a better rebounder than previously in his career. Plumlee has had a pair of triple-doubles this season, showing his unheralded passing ability. He can run the offense and as a good screener, he helps more than is shown on the stat sheet. Grade: B
► Deividas Sirvydis. Stats: 0.2 points, 0.2 rebounds in five games. Age: 20. A second-round pick from last season, Sirvydis was a surprise addition to the roster this year, after playing in Europe last year. He’s still very raw, but the shooting touch is there, and given a redshirt year, he’ll look to get acclimated to the NBA style and to play more possibly next year. Grade: Incomplete
► Isaiah Stewart. Stats: 5.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 56% FG in 34 games. Age: 19. The Pistons traded into the first round to go after Stewart, who seemed a bit undersized at 6-foot-8. What he lacks in size, he makes up for with his effort and rebounding, making him a fan favorite quickly. He will be a building block for the franchise’s future and he’s moved into the backup role, an on-the-job learning plan that will help him develop sooner than later. Grade: B
Coach
► Dwane Casey. In a shortened offseason with a truncated training camp, no Summer League for a slew of rookies and only four returning players from last season, there shouldn’t have been high expectations for Casey this season. The Pistons are 10-26 and have the second-worst record in the league, but Casey has managed to unearth some value and to find playing time for the young pieces. It’s not easy to coach through a rebuild — especially when he signed up to be part of a contender — but he’s done well, the record notwithstanding. Grade: B
General manager
► Troy Weaver. There’s optimism for this team, less than a year after Weaver took over as general manager. The rookie class is showing promise, with several players who weren’t coveted in the draft. Don’t overthink this. Grade: A
rod.beard@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @detnewsRodBeard