Marcus Sasser is finally getting the kind of run he never really found with the Pistons, and he wasted no time making a case for more.
In Dallas’ opening game against Houston, Sasser scored 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting and logged 24 minutes, matching starter Kyrie Irving. He knocked down 4 of his 5 3-point attempts and did what he’s known for: score quickly and create his own shot.
That’s the part of Sasser’s game that has always popped. The part that didn’t fit in Detroit is the rest of the package.
Even in a strong night, he finished with just one assist and a turnover, which is a pretty clear reminder of why the Pistons moved on. He can put points on the board, but he hasn’t shown much as a setup guard or as someone who can consistently run an offense.
The Pistons chose Daniss Jenkins instead, and the reasons are easy to see from their perspective. Jenkins is the cheaper option, and he’s more of a facilitator. He didn’t play much in the opener, but he still managed three assists and was on the floor in the fourth quarter when Detroit made its run against Boston.
There’s still a sense around Sasser that he belongs in the league. He was a fan favorite in Detroit for a reason, and plenty of Pistons fans will keep an eye on him in Dallas. But even if he catches fire in this new role, it doesn’t automatically turn into regret for the Pistons.
The Mavericks are also a team Detroit fans will watch for another reason: Kyrie Irving. He’s a possible trade target for the Pistons later in the season, and both he and Sasser played 24 minutes in the opener, which ended in a loss to Houston. Irving may be under a minutes limitation, and Sasser outperformed him in that first game.
The bigger takeaway for Detroit is that staying ready matters. That’s something the Pistons will need from rookie Ebuka Okorie, who probably won’t see much action early but could be one of the first deep-bench guards called on if injuries hit.
Sasser’s story is a reminder of what happens when a player’s strengths are obvious, but the fit isn’t there. He can score in bunches. The Pistons just didn’t see enough of everything else.
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