2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year ladder: Week 24 power rankings

7. Luke Kennard, Detroit Pistons

Last week: N/A

The Detroit Pistons aren’t out of the playoff picture and rookie Luke Kennard is showing he could be the missing ingredient with his current play. Kennard is averaging 11.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game on 35.9 percent shooting from 3-point range during the month of March.

Kennard has scored in double figures in seven of 10 games in March. He’s put up double-digit scoring efforts in five consecutive contests for the Pistons as well.

Last Saturday night against the Chicago Bulls, Kennard had 13 points, six assists, a block and a steal off the bench in a 117-95 victory. If ever there were a player in need of more playing time, Luke Kennard fits the bill.

He’s averaging 26.7 minutes per game this month after playing just 16.7 minutes per contest in February. Kennard is showing he belongs on the floor with the Pistons’ recent string of games. They’ve won three of their last four as they’re on the outside looking in currently in the Eastern Conference Playoff picture. We’ll see if his presence on the floor can catapult Detroit into the playoff picture.