Detroit Pistons: 3 biggest disappointments from the 2018-19 NBA season

2. Lack of bench production

The Pistons don’t feature multiple elite scoring options that can carry the load for the entire game if the bench is struggling. They need their second unit to show up and help. More often than not, that didn’t happen this past season.

Luke Kennard led all bench players with 9.7 points per game, but they hardly ever got any consistent play from any one player on the team. Each player went through highs and lows all year that kept the team from pushing to the next level.

Langston Galloway and Jon Leuer were the fourth- and fifth-highest paid players on the team this year. They combined to average just 12.2 points per game. For comparison, the Portland Trail Blazers‘ fourth-highest paid player was Jusuf Nurkic, who averaged 15.6 points per game. This is a testament to poor roster construction by management to go along with poor production from the bench.

The Pistons need to get better bench players. It’s that simple. They can’t afford to trot out this same group, run it back and expect better results. The team’s most-used bench lineup from this season saw them got outscored by 9.6 points when they were on the floor. Giving up a free 10 points every time the starters check out of the game is how you end up in the lottery. Getting some bench help in the Motor City should be a top priority this summer.