Daniss Jenkins earned himself a real role last season, but that only buys so much time in Detroit.
The Pistons now need him to keep climbing, because rookie Ebuka Okorie is already pressing for the backup point guard job. If Jenkins doesn’t take another step, he could slide down the rotation fast.
That’s the challenge facing a player who already made major gains a year ago. Jenkins worked his way into the mix and became the de-facto backup point guard because Detroit simply didn’t have another true option. But the flaws were still there, and they showed up when the games got bigger, including in the playoffs.
His offense remains narrow. Jenkins is still mostly effective when he’s knocking down threes or getting all the way to the rim, and that limited profile makes him a rough fit next to Cade Cunningham - which is about as bad as it gets for a Piston.
So this season, the ask is bigger. Jenkins has to become more useful as a connector, not just a scorer.
His playmaking needs to improve so he can steer the second unit on his own and ease some of the ball-handling burden on Cade. The pick-and-roll has to become a real weapon for him, especially with the big men he’ll be working with.
The preseason opener against the Suns didn’t exactly calm those concerns. Jenkins finished with 5 points and 4 assists on 2-of-7 shooting in 18 minutes, a line that didn’t do much to suggest he’s already turned the corner.
Okorie, meanwhile, made the opposite kind of first impression. The 20-year-old rookie scored 7 efficient points and hit the game-winner, showing a growth curve that’s moving quickly. And unlike Jenkins, he isn’t as dependent on hot perimeter shooting to be productive.
Jenkins does have some protection. The Pistons gave him a standard contract for this season, and he’s set to make $4 million, which also makes him a very tradable piece for a team looking for guard depth.
But that security is only partial. He can still be moved, and he can still be passed.
Even if Detroit keeps him, his place in the playoff rotation is not guaranteed. There just won’t be many clean backup point guard minutes available in the biggest games, since Cade Cunningham will be handling that role for so much of the night.
For now, Jenkins has the defensive edge over Okorie. But that could change quickly once Okorie gets stronger in an NBA strength training program. When that happens, the deciding factor may come down to how well each guard fits with Cade - and that’s where Jenkins still has the most work to do.
In Other News...
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Around the league, Detroit has reportedly kept an eye on a potential swing at Kyrie Irving, a sign that the front office may be thinking bigger than a modest upgrade. The idea is still speculative, but the conversation has enough traction to be worth watching as the season unfolds, particularly if Irvings situation shifts and opens the door to a move that could be handled more smoothly than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Pistons Fans Have 3 Young Names Worth Watching Tonight
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Ron Holland stood out as the leading scorer in that game, while rookie Ebuka Okorie announced himself in his first NBA action with an immediate impact. Isaiah Joes shooting line against the Suns was far from clean, but the larger point is that these are the kinds of early-season swings young teams live with, and the next test against the Wizards offers another chance to see which names keep rising. [Read more 🡒]
Pistons Face Early Roster Questions As Ron Holland Tries To Answer One
Ron Holland II is getting one of the first real chances this preseason to show where he fits for the Pistons, and the second exhibition against the Wizards offers another early look at how Detroits young group is coming together. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff has already hinted at a deeper rotation in this one, which should give the roster more room to sort itself out after the opener and give Holland a stage to build on the expectations around his development.
There are a few other spots worth watching as the Pistons keep evaluating their options. Jalen Duren is expected to be available, and his presence would add another important layer to the frontcourt mix as Detroit tries to settle into a preseason rhythm. In the backcourt, the competition for the reserve minutes has also started to take shape, with Saben Lee and rookie Ebuka Okorie both trying to make their case while the Pistons continue sorting through early lineup decisions. [Read more 🡒]