NBA Detroit Pistons

Perimeter Scoring Should Be On Detroit Pistons’ Christmas Wish List

Fresh Videos

By @Kramerica100

Getty Images

Getty Images

At 5-22 on the season, the Detroit Pistons have a lot of their Christmas wish list.

Every fan would like to see Josh Smith traded, but that is like asking your parents for the one gift you know is way too expensive. It’s worth a shot, but it’s not likely to happen. Pistons fans will also get gifts that they don’t necessarily want, such as trading Greg Monroe. Most fans would like to keep him long-term, but it doesn’t seem possible anymore. It’s essentially the feeling you have when you get socks for Christmas; you know it’s coming, but it’s always a letdown.

Instead of asking for things to part with, the Pistons should be asking for a perimeter scorer for Christmas. Detroit might have the least watchable offense in the NBA. The Pistons are shooting 41 percent from the field, which is worst in the league, and they rank 27th in points scored. Their starting backcourt of Brandon Jennings and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is shooting 37 and 38 percent respectively. Those percentages have both players in the bottom five in the league in shooting.

It is crucial to have good perimeter players if Andre Drummond is going to be the starting center. Drummond does a lot of good things, but being an offensive force isn’t one of them. He needs to be surrounded by players who can drive and shoot.

Jodie Meeks returning from injury has helped the problem a little, but he isn’t a difference-maker. Caldwell-Pope’s rookie struggles have carried over to his second season, and he hasn’t shown much potential. Stan Van Gundy needs shooters for his offense to be effective, and he just doesn’t have them on this roster.

He has a chance to acquire some with a few trades before the deadline this season. Monroe is the most likely candidate, but Jennings could also be involved in a trade. Van Gundy has to do something to start building towards the future. A few more shooters may not turn this into a viable season, but it would at least allow the Pistons to run an offense that is enjoyable to watch. It would also give the team a base to build off of, considering that Drummond is the only real long-term player on the roster.

Detroit is nearing the point where things can only get better. Van Gundy can begin the process of turning the team around with a couple of mid-season moves. Getting a proven perimeter scorer would be the quickest way to point things in the right direction, and hopefully next season won’t already be over by the time Christmas day comes around in 2015.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on