The Detroit Pistons are staring down a familiar issue - a lack of perimeter firepower - and after last night’s 114-96 loss to a shorthanded Phoenix Suns squad, that problem is getting harder to ignore.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t just a tough night against a good team. The Suns were without Devin Booker, their top scorer, and still managed to outshoot and outpace Detroit.
The dagger? A career-high 40-point explosion from Dillon Brooks, who torched the Pistons from all over the floor.
Meanwhile, Detroit struggled to keep up, especially from deep, hitting eight fewer threes than Phoenix - a deficit that proved too much to overcome.
The Pistons’ need for another reliable shooter to pair with Duncan Robinson has been a storyline all season, and it was on full display in this one. Jaden Ivey, who’s shown flashes of being that guy, played just seven minutes.
In his place, rookie Daniss Jenkins saw extended action, logging 23 minutes off the bench. But Jenkins couldn’t find the range either, going 0-for-3 from beyond the arc.
And even Robinson, usually one of the most dependable snipers on the roster, went cold, finishing just 1-for-6 from downtown.
So where does Detroit go from here?
One name that’s starting to gain traction: Malik Monk.
The Sacramento Kings guard checks a lot of boxes for what this Pistons team is missing. He’s a proven scorer, a dangerous shooter, and someone who can create his own shot - all things Detroit desperately needs off the bench. Monk is currently drilling threes at a 42.7% clip, good for 14th in the league, and his ability to stretch the floor would immediately open up driving lanes for Cade Cunningham and space inside for Jalen Duren to operate.
Monk’s game is built around a smooth handle, a confident mid-range pull-up, and a quick trigger from deep. He’s not a lockdown defender, but that’s not what Detroit would be asking of him. His role would be clear: come in, knock down shots, and give the Pistons a scoring punch they’re sorely lacking.
And the timing might be right. Sacramento is currently sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference standings at 12-37, and with Monk set to hit free agency this summer, the Kings may be open to moving him for future assets rather than risk losing him for nothing. For Detroit, that presents an opportunity to make a low-risk, high-reward move.
The Pistons have the draft capital to make something happen without compromising their long-term plans. President of Player Operations Trajan Langdon has preached patience and development, and so far, Detroit has mostly stuck to that script. But adding Monk wouldn’t be a deviation - it would be a targeted addition that addresses a glaring need without requiring a full shake-up.
Right now, Detroit ranks 21st in the NBA in three-point percentage. That’s not going to cut it if they want to compete in a league where spacing and shooting are king. Monk may not be a long-term fix, but as a rental, he could be the kind of mid-season spark that helps this team find its offensive rhythm.
With the trade deadline fast approaching - Feb. 5 at 3 p.m. - the Pistons are on the clock. They can choose to stay the course and ride it out with their current roster, or they can make a calculated move to bring in a player who could make an immediate impact.
If Monk is available, Detroit would be wise to pick up the phone.