Detroit Pistons Summer League Stock Report
Assessing which Summer League Pistons are trending up and which are trending down after three games in Las Vegas.
The Detroit Pistons have played three games in the Las Vegas Summer League — somehow winning two of those games despite not playing the best brand of basketball.
Headlining the roster is the 5th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft — Ron Holland. Bobi Klintman — the 37th pick in this year’s draft — and Marcus Sasser — one of Detroit’s first-round picks from last year are also featured on the team.
Let’s examine whose stock is up and whose is down following Detroit’s first trio of games in the summer league.
Ron Holland — ↔↔
The earliest of returns from Holland have been a mixed bag. He only appeared in two of the three games — Detroit rested him against the Rockets on Monday night.
He stuffed the stat sheet in the Pistons’ most recent game — finishing with 17 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and one steal — but he shot just 7-20 from the field and was visibly over-aggressive trying to score the ball. He is 1-6 from the 3-point line, but his inability to finish at the rim is more concerning. He has not been a factor in scoring in the paint unless it’s a dunk — which Holland is more than capable of doing in jaw-dropping fashion.
The speed and athleticism he possesses jump off the screen, but his lack of strength with the ball in his hands does as well.
Defensively, Holland has the tools to be a key contributor. But there are several instances during his first two games where he stood still with his hands down appearing disengaged on that end of the court.
Joining a roster now bolstered with depth — including several veteran wings that were brought in this offseason — Holland is going to have to earn his minutes. They won’t just be handed to him like they have been in years past to Detroit’s youth. Based solely on just his first two summer league games, Holland would be on the outside looking in on Detroit’s rotation if I were in charge of that decision.
Marcus Sasser — ↘↘
Sasser has been handed the keys to run the show as the lead guard of the summer league roster and the returns have left much to be desired.
You can argue that he is not a point guard in the first place, and that is fair. But if you look at Detroit’s roster heading into next season, it is really difficult to imagine him finding minutes at the two-guard spot with how many other players will be vying for them
He is 8-28 from the field, 3-14 from the 3-point line, and has recorded 15 assists with 9 turnovers. The shot selection has been poor and the lack of comfort on the court is tangible.
An opportunity for a rotation spot next season could be slipping out of Sasser’s hands after a slow start in the summer league.
Bobi Klintman — ↗↗
Klintman is doing a lot more than I expected of him through three summer league games. He has shown a promising shooting touch, a toughness on the glass, and a budding playmaking game.
His worst game so far came against the Chicago Bulls when he finished with just five points on 2-7 shooting, but he still added 12 rebounds, three assists, and a block in the win. With the shot not falling, Klintman didn’t force anything and instead relied on his high motor and IQ to still play a key role in the game.
The night before that he had 18 points on 4-8 shooting from deep, nine rebounds, and three assists in 32 minutes.
I’m not sure there is a consistent role waiting for Klintman on the main roster heading into next season, but his performance in Vegas has certainly boosted my confidence in his ability to positively contribute to the team at some point down the line.
Wendell Moore Jr. — ↘↘↘
I know some were quietly excited to see what Moore would be able to contribute to Detroit, but he has largely struggled as a third-year Vegas summer league attendee.
He is 4-16 from the field and has largely been invisible when on the court.
He’s yet to do anything at the pro level — NBA, G League, or Summer League — that tells me he is for sure an NBA player and his performance with the Pistons is only hurting his case.
Moore is under contract through the 2024-25 season but does have a club option for the final year of his deal that Detroit can decide to either pick up or turn down.
Perhaps things turn around for the Duke product in the final games of summer league, but the 22-year-old does not appear ready for an NBA role heading into his third season in the league.
Daniss Jenkins — ↗↗
Trajan Langdon and company may have found something in Daniss Jenkins — an undrafted guard out of St. Johns who signed a two-way contract with the Pistons following the draft in June.
In three games he’s averaging 13.7 points, 4.3 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.3 blocks. He’s 7-17 from beyond the arc and has been the best guard on the roster.
Even though he had his worst shooting performance (1-7 from the field) against the Bulls he led the team in +/- as a plus-13. He had four assists, a pair of steals, and a block.
Jenkins is a competitor that makes winning plays.
If the first three games of summer league are any indication, Jenkins is going to be a huge contributor for the Motor City Cruise next year and may even find his way onto the main Pistons roster at some point.
There are several other players not under contract with Detroit who have had some nice moments with the team in Vegas:
7’0’ center Jayce Johnson has been the best big man on the Pistons roster. He’s averaged 11 points and 5 rebounds in just over 13 minutes a game.
Tolu Smith, who has started all three games at center, has shown some promise as well with an ability to finish inside and rebound.
The Pistons will play their final game on Friday against the Knicks which will determine if they are placed in a consolation game or the championship bracket for the weekend.
Has anyone else on the Pistons roster stood out to you in Vegas? Be sure to let us know.