Pistons: 1 goal for each player going into the 2021-22 season

Goals for each Detroit Pistons bench player

Isaiah Stewart – Win the starting spot

As things stand right now, Kelly Olynyk is my pick as the starting center for the 2021-22 Detroit Pistons, but Isaiah Stewart isn’t too far behind. His size hurts him a bit, but his tenacity and effort go a long way. If his 3-point shooting continues to develop as it did throughout last season, it may give him the edge to take the starting spot away from Olynyk.

Hamidou Diallo – Take the leap

Hamidou Diallo has plenty of the elements required to be an outstanding NBA player. He has the size and length of an elite wing, the athleticism of a star, and he even showed over the final stretch of the season that he might have what it takes to be a pretty good shooter. Can he put it all together? That’s what the 2021-22 season is for.

Josh Jackson – Find some offensive consistency

Josh Jackson’s defense is what has kept him in the NBA through the struggles of his career thus far, and it’s going to be what keeps him in the league for years to come. If he wants to be part of a leap forward for this team, however, it’s his offense that will need to become more consistent. He was dangerous on the drive last season, but less so when he settled for stepbacks and mid-range shots. He’ll need to replicate that offensive spark off the drive again next season and waste fewer possessions with no-chance shots.

Cory Joseph – Repeat his post-deadline surge

The Pistons traded for Cory Joseph before the NBA trade deadline, and he immediately delivered. He was almost a little too good at times for a team that desperately needed to lose games to keep pace with the OKC Thunders and Houston Rockets of the tanking world. Next season the Pistons would like to win a few more games, and they’ll need Joseph to basically just do exactly what he did over the final month or two of last season.

Frank Jackson – Be the lethal weapon

Frank Jackson was a deadly shooter over the second half of the season. From March 15th on, he played 31 games, averaged 12.1 points on shooting splits of 47-42-81, and essentially earned his 2021 contract. Like Cory Joseph, Jackson just needs to be his best self from a year ago in order to satisfy the greatest expectations for him.

Fringe guys: Trey Lyles, Rodney McGruder, Saben Lee, Isaiah Livers – Step up when called upon

It’s not easy being at the end of the bench and outside of the regular rotation. Long stretches of inaction that suddenly end when you’re called upon to deliver in high-leverage moments; that’s the calling card of the non-rotational bench man. For Trey Lyles, Rodney McGruder, Saben Lee and Isaiah Livers, they’ll have to maximize their opportunities as they present themselves.