Detroit Pistons: Key players with something to prove down the stretch

As the season slowly rolls to a close, the Detroit Pistons still have something to play for. Who has something to prove as we head into spring?

As the losses pile up it would be easy to trick yourself into thinking everything about the Detroit Pistons season has been decided. Sometimes, however, this is the most important time for many players. Whether it be locking in a roster spot with the Pistons next season or showing something to land another contract elsewhere, there are still important minutes to be played for many players.

Unfortunately for Derrick Walton, Jr. suffered an injury during his 10-day stint in Detroit and finds himself back on the market. This has opened the door for other young guys to come in and show what they can do going into free agency this summer.

On the other hand, there are a few veterans on this team that have been somewhat forgotten in recent years. Showing how they handle a rebuild and mentor young players will give them a chance to stay in the league a little longer.

The most important thing for the Detroit Pistons going forward is building a new culture and, in the short-term, losing a lot of games. Since the trade deadline, they have won one of their twelve games and have surged close to the top of the lottery standings.

They have the fifth-worst record in the league with only a game keeping them out of the top three. The best way to jump-start this rebuild is by adding a top talent from this draft. Determining who could be moving forward with this prospect is the goal of the rest of the season.