Detroit Pistons: Four players who were positives this season

1. Christian Wood

Christian Wood has been a revelation. Watching him grow from the last guy to make it in training camp to free-agent target this summer has been astounding.

Wood seems to be the prototypical modern-day center on his good days. While he mostly plays at power forward, if he is to return next year and play alongside Blake Griffin, his positional designation will change. Over the last 10 games of the season, he posted averages of 24.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.0 steals. He shoots 38.6 percent from long range and is developing on defense.

There is a reason teams like the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets tried to pry Wood from the Pistons at the trade deadline. Wood has the potential to be a star in this league and could be the next Detroit All-Star. He dunks everything and will be a fan favorite as long as he is here. Paying him this offseason should be Detroit’s top priority.

If Wood wants to be in Detroit for the long haul. he is the type of building block that these rebuilds are based on. Taking a swing on a young player who has gotten limited opportunities elsewhere who flourishes when you give him a chance isn’t so common.

Wood, Mykhaiuliuk, Doumbouya and Rose were the positives focused on today but there are plenty of individual moments that should bring Pistons fans joy. The season-opening win against the Indiana Pacers was lots of fun and made any Drummond fan happy.

Rose’s scoring streak was fun and showed there are still things to root for even in the downtimes. Bruce Brown took steps forward in his development.

Even when the Pistons come back, whether it be to finish out this season or at the beginning of the next, they won’t likely be very good. This teardown will take time. With any luck, they will have added a high draft pick to the fold and Kennard and Griffin will be back in short order.

Their health will be essential for any sort of development or trade. The Detroit Pistons are entering turbulent times. But the young core and Derrick Rose provide hope.