Detroit Pistons: Lack Of Depth Is Showing

By Aaron Ferguson | Dec 8, 2015

Nov 27, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) returns to the bench against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

The Detroit Pistons are struggling because of their lack of depth and it is evident that a change is needed.

The Detroit Pistons are in need of a change to their roster because they have a lack of depth. Frustration must be mounting as some of the bench players don’t have a defined role on this team, and could probably help the team.

Head coach Stan Van Gundy has experimented with different role players, shortening the bench and different rotations. However, Van Gundy has not changed his starting lineup at all. Through 22 games this season, the Pistons have used the same starting lineup.

The Piston starters are playing 164.1 minutes per game, which is an average of 32.82 minutes per game for each starter. Two players on the bench have played in all 22 games, Stanley Johnson and Aron Baynes. Anthony Tolliver has played in 21 of the 22 games this season. Steve Blake has played in 18 games this year.

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Van Gundy has shortened the bench to the point that those four players are typically the ones getting significant roles off the bench. Shortening the bench isn’t the problem for the Pistons. The biggest problem is the lack of production they are getting from the shortened bench.

The four players earning significant time are averaging 20.7 of the team’s 98.3 points per game, which is around 20 percent. Baynes is the only player (44 percent) with significant playing time and a shooting percentage better than 38 percent.

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There are several players on the bench that could help the team. Spencer Dinwiddie has played in eight games and is averaging five points per game. He is shooting 41.2 percent from the field and his PER is 9.3. This suggests that he is a better option than Blake off the bench.

Dinwiddie’s role isn’t clearly defined. On Saturday, Dinwiddie and guard Darrun Hilliard were optioned to the Pistons’ D-League affiliate in Grand Rapids, according to NBA.com. On Sunday, both played for the Pistons against the Lakers in Kobe Bryant‘s final game in Detroit.

Forward Reggie Bullock is the other player on the bench without a clearly defined role. He has played in 12 games this season, but is only averaging 6.1 minutes per game.

It is worth noting that the Pistons are awaiting the return of point guard Brandon Jennings and shooting guard Jodie Meeks. Meeks is reportedly out for 12-16 weeks after suffering a fractured foot on Oct. 29, according to the Detroit Free Press’ Vincent Ellis. Jennings is expected back around Christmas time, according to Ellis.

Detroit needs to find an answer until Jennings returns. Dinwiddie could be thatanswer, as he’s proven in the short amount of time he’s had this season. But the Pistons should also be looking elsewhere to upgrade the roster.

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The Pistons need to target a combo guard that can handle the ball or play shooting guard. Finding a combo guard will allow the Pistons to be more versatile with their lineups. Acquiring a stretch-4 player that will shoot a high percentage and be athletic enough to defend would be ideal for the Pistons.

Bottom line: The Pistons will eventually need to upgrade their bench to make a deep postseason run. Doing so now will allow them to find cheap options that will give them a greater benefit in the long run by adding depth to the bench and giving their starters more rest without a drop off in production.

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