2019-2020 Finish: 34-48

Season Highlight:

This is giving some stuff away, but it is trading for Ja Morant. We will discuss the details of the deal later, but bringing Ja into pair with DeAndre Ayton is, at minimum, extremely fun. Ja’s rookie season was extremely successful regarding showcasing potential. The 20-year-old posted an average of 20 and 6 on a team that does not allow for inflated assists numbers, no less. Justin loves Ja, and Ja seems to love playing in Detroit. Now that they are constructed, this duo will give the Eastern Conference fits in the NLL for years to come.

Season Lowlight:

Man, talk about a big three. Detroit had assembled the aforementioned Morant, DeAndre Ayton and Klay Thompson to gear up for a competitive run, likely next season. The front office in Detroit was playing the long game here, shipping out Kyrie for the sharpshooting Thompson knowing that Thompson was still rehabbing.

Then disaster struck. On NBA Draft night, no less.

Klay Thompson is now expected to miss the entire 2020-2021 NLL season with a torn Achilles tendon.

Heart breaking for Detroit, really. I expected Morant to average a double-double in the NLL in ’20-’21 simply due to having Klay in the backcourt ready to fire away.  

Best Trade:

The Detroit Pistons send Ben Simmons to the Washington Wizards. The Washington Wizards send Ja Morant and Grant Williams to the Detroit Pistons.
The Washington Wizards send a 1st-Rounder (Was) to the Detroit Pistons.

This one brought out some opinions, and it has been over a year since it has been done. I think the opinions are probably about the same at this point. Detroit was *presumably* trying to get away from Simmons’ inevitable extension and saw a prospect they loved in Morant and when and got him. Something to note… the pick that was eventually to become Kira Lewis was traded *again* to OKC for Luke Kennard and other assets. That pick was then used to acquire Lebron James from Cleveland…

So, what we are saying is, Ja Morant is the reason Lebron James is in Oklahoma City.  

Worst Trade:

The Chicago Bulls send Klay Thompson and Alen Smailagic to the Detroit Pistons. The Detroit Pistons send Kyrie Irving to the Washington Wizards. The Washington Wizards send Dewayne Dedmon, Buddy Hield and PJ Washington to the Chicago Bulls.
The Chicago Bulls send a 2021 2nd-Rounder (Pho) to the Detroit Pistons. The Detroit Pistons send a 2022 2nd-Rounder (Det) to the Chicago Bulls. The Washington Wizards send a 2020 2nd-Rounder (Chi) and 2022 1st-Rounder (Was) to the Chicago Bulls. The Washington Wizards send a 2020 1st-Rounder (Chi) to the Detroit Pistons.

Of course, this was to no fault of Justin’s, but this must be the worst in a list of trades that not much jumps out as “bad.” Also, it just must be talked about in the history books.

Not to beat a dead horse, but I cannot think of a better addition to Morant and Ayton than an elite wing defender that shoots 45% in his sleep. Given, it will take 2K ratings a bit to catch up with Klay if he comes back and looks nothing like “37 points in a quarter” Klay, so Justin should get at least one season out of Klay’s elite makeup. Injuries aside, I ultimately think Justin could have gotten a *little* more value for a healthy Kyrie, but it is really hard to pass up on Klay, and I get that. We had to pick one, though. Sorry, Klay!  

Star:

Ben Simmons- F

It is hard not to go with Ben Simmons here, even if he only did play 20 games in a Piston’s uniform. Averages of 27, 8 and 6 are hard to top, even if your name is Kyrie Irving. Sporting a PER of 28.20, which was the best on the team, also helps Ben get this nod. Being the best player on a team is nothing new for Simmons, and he did not disappoint in Detroit. Now… if Ja is not in this section next year, then something went seriously wrong for Detroit.

Goat:

Christian Wood- F

This may not be a popular opinion, but Christian Wood, anyone? It is probably just because of playing time, but an athlete like Wood *has* to average more than 7 and 7… His efficiency numbers do help him a bit in this situation, but not enough for the Russian judges to vote for someone else. Wood sticks the landing as the Piston’s 2019-2020 goat, mainly due to expectations. A solid 4 out of 10 there, Christian.

Free Agency:

Some insiders are sharing information that Christian Wood may be on the move come FA time… I don’t want to spoil to much but keep an eye on Wood and Detroit early in this free agency period.

Outside of that, there are not too many hard decisions for the Pistons. They need bodies, and solid talent, so I imagine they will bring Marcus Morris and Derrick Favors back at reasonable prices. Justin has pulled some tricks before though, so he could have other ideas.  Perhaps a big splash to build the roster in hopes of uniting new talent with Klay when he returns…

Draft Grades:

Round 1, Pick 16 – Cole Anthony

Grade: C

Probably me being a bit too harsh, but I did not love Anthony as a prospect, and I’m not sure he brings much to 2K overall simply due to size. It did not help Justin that the best player in the draft went one pick before Anthony, but Justin has had his eyes on Cole for a while. It will be interesting to see how it works out with rangy wings left on the board like Bey, Hampton and others.

Round 2, Pick 42 – Vit Krejci

Grade: B

Just a quick downlow: Krejci is a 20-year-old, 6’ 8” “guard” from Czech Republic. Think… Tomas Satoransky-ish. Some more bad injury news though… Krejci suffered a torn ACL in September and has been ruled out for the 2020-2021 season. A draft and stash prospect, clearly, but Krejci has interesting size a young frame that could fill out. Can’t ask for much more than a guy with loads of potential at pick 42.

Round 2, Pick 55 – Cassius Stanley

Grade: B-

Cassius is a wing prospect who earned ACC All-Freshmen honors in his lone season at Duke. Shooting a respectable 36% from deep and averaging 12 a game in the ACC isn’t anything to sneeze at. Cassius is a tremendous athlete, with a budding feel for the game. A 21-year-old rookie only after one season has to have played some factor into him falling in both drafts. Again, cannot ask for much more than a prospect with good potential this late, though.

Round 2, Pick 60 – Yam Madar

Grade: C

Mr. Irrelevant will probably stay that way for most of his NLL career, honestly. He is a solid passer, and joined Tel Aviv in Israel at only 19, which is impressive all by itself. He also excels defensively, but I think his biggest hurdle to being a rotation NBA player is something he cannot really help: His size. Madar stands at  6’3” and is pretty slight. Given, again, he is only 19, but I doubt he grows three inches. Ultimately, Madar struggles to score offensively due to inconsistent shooting, and will be in Israel for two more years due to a pricey buyout. It is pick 60, though, so… can’t be too harsh.

Looking to the Future:

The Pistons future correlates exclusively with the health and development of Ja Morant and DeAndre Ayton. Morant is already out multiple weeks in the 2020 NBA season, but luckily Justin should be able to avoid most of that. If Morant can’t stay on the floor, it’s going to be a long few years watching Ben Simmons in D.C. I think Detroit will be battling for a playoff spot this year, but ultimately miss out and be selecting in the lottery again next year. Luckily, they still have their own draft capital to keep the youth movement going. This year may be a wash for Detroit due to Klay’s injury, but watch out for this team to shoot up the boards in the 2021-2022 season, given nothing catastrophic happens. I am buying Detroit stock, if I’m investing in the NLL.