NBA: Biggest X-factor for all 30 teams in the 2019-20 season
Detroit Pistons: Luke Kennard
The Detroit Pistons have a core in place that helped them to 41 wins and a spot in the 2019 postseason. Unfortunately, that same group has little room for internal growth, capping this team at a level they’d like to climb out of.
Despite the construction of a mediocre roster, there is hope for development that could elevate Detroit in the conference standings, and his name is Luke Kennard.
Taken with the 12th overall pick of the 2018 Draft, Kennard has started a total of 19 games during his two pro seasons, averaging just over 21.0 minutes a night.
Most people recognize Kennard for who he isn’t, having been selected one pick ahead of Donovan Mitchell. He’ll never be the shot creator currently leading the Utah Jazz, but the former Duke Blue Devil has a skill set of his own that could help him last in the league.
Although Luke Kennard is likely to start the season coming off of the bench; he could very well be the key to success this season for the Detroit Pistons #DetroitBasketball #NBATwitter #Detroit #Pistons https://t.co/yk6t5R44un
— Detroit Jock City (@DetroitJockCity) August 5, 2019
At 6’5” and approximately 205 pounds, Kennard has the ideal size to man the shooting guard position. Since stepping onto the NBA floor, he’s shown the ability to shoot the basketball, having canned 40.3 of his 3.4 3-point attempts per game.
The trio of Reggie Jackson, Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond can get the Pistons to 40 wins and into the playoffs out east.
Barring a newfound outside shot from Drummond or a sudden revitalized defensive effort from Jackson, that total doesn’t have the capability of increasing by much.
To reach a new level of team success– whatever that is — they’ll need one of their youngest to take another leap forward.
That begins with more opportunities as a member of the starting five, but it’ll ultimately come down to what Kennard does in the summer for the upcoming all-important third season.