Detroit Pistons: 3 players who should be playing more

3. Khyri Thomas

The Pistons acquired two second round picks from the 2018 NBA Draft, both of whom can play the same position. Thomas was chosen No. 38 by the Philadelphia 76ers before being traded to Detroit, and the Pistons used their No. 42 draft pick on Bruce Brown Jr.

Thomas was the more accomplished college player of the two, and he was chosen higher, but so far he’s been getting significantly less playing time than Brown.

Both rookies were expected to spend most of the season with the Pistons’ G League affiliate in Grand Rapids, but Brown has become a regular on the main roster, making eight appearances, starting three times and averaging 13.0 minutes per game. Thomas has only appeared in two games for the Pistons for only 5.5 minutes per game.

Perimeter defense and 3-point shooting are two of the Pistons’ weak spots, and Thomas has the skill-set to potentially contribute. He knocked down 40.6 percent of his shots beyond the arc at Creighton University, and he was voted Big East Defensive Player of the Year two times.

Obviously, those skills and college production may not translate immediately to the big leagues, but Casey could at least give Thomas a little more time to see what the rookie can do.