To make a longer story shorter, I am a big believer that the majority of the problems with our Detroit Pistons stem from two things: an awkwardly composed roster and a dearth of talent. That leads me to wonder: Would any of these guys start on other teams around the NBA? Where might they show up in the rotations? How does the Pistons roster really stack up to others around the league?
Consider this an unscientific educated guess at how other teams around the league may view the Pistons roster based on media reports, watching games, current standings and results, play styles, and their own current rosters. The rules are simple: the new team can acquire each player from the Pistons by himself for nothing today, but they do need to conform to NBA rules regarding roster size.
I invite anyone else interested to jump into the comments and share your thoughts. I have decided to take on the Herculean task of looking at just how bad this roster really is in the competitive environment of the NBA. God, have mercy on us all. Also, I really like the word "Herculean." Yay.
The story so far: I began with the reigning champion San Antonio Spurs, starting roughly from the bottom of our roster to the top. In trying to figure out an orderly way to proceed, I've decided to use last year's NBA Draft order in reverse to determine my order here ... mainly because I find it deliciously ironic. Go here to refresh yourself on the order. Without further ado, I present to you which Pistons I think would play for ...
The Oklahoma City Thunder
Current depth chart and synopsis
POS | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | 5TH |
Point Guard | Reggie Jackson | Sebastian Telfair | Russell Westbrook | ||
Shooting Guard | Andre Roberson | Anthony Morrow | Jeremy Lamb | ||
Small Forward | Lance Thomas | Perry Jones | Kevin Durant | ||
Power Forward | Serge Ibaka | Nick Collison | Grant Jerrett | ||
Center | Steven Adams | Kendrick Perkins |
Mitch McGary |
Source: http://espn.go.com/nba/team/depth/_/name/okc/oklahoma-city-thunder
OKC is in a bit of a bind. The team is rife with injuries, most importantly to 2013-2014 MVP Kevin Durant, the undeniable straw that stirs the drink for the Thunder, as well as All-Star point guard and advanced stats public enemy Russell Westbrook. Let's look at where our Pistons players might stack up (or not) on this perennial Western Conference contender.
How do the Pistons fit in?
Integrated depth chart
POS | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | 5TH |
Point Guard | Brandon Jennings | Reggie Jackson | Russell Westbrook | Sebastian Telfair | D.J. Augustin |
Shooting Guard | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | Andre Roberson | Anthony Morrow | Jeremy Lamb | Spencer Dinwiddie |
Small Forward | Caron Butler | Kyle Singler | Lance Thomas | Perry Jones | Kevin Durant |
Power Forward | Serge Ibaka | Josh Smith | Nick Collison | Jonas Jerebko | Grant Jerrett |
Center | Greg Monroe | Andre Drummond | Steven Adams ... |
The cut line
As BGulker suggested (*tips hat*), I'm not going to spend much time on the non-players. Five of the Pistons just haven't shown enough to register as options for the Thunder, despite the injury woes. With roster spots at a premium, it simply would not be worth it to carry these guys and their modest salaries.
The players
For a team as injury-riddled as OKC, there's little room for a rookie doghouse, but OKC is doing so anyway, sitting on Huestis (who probably can't do much to help them and has an innovative D-League deal which may or may not be screwing him over) and last year's second-rounder Jerrett. That said, last year's 1st-round pick, Andre Roberson, is getting some PT. Dinwiddie has enough value for the team this year and as a possible salve to the gaping wound Reggie Jackson may leave behind in the offseason, that I think the Thunder would find room for him on the roster, likely dropping the recently acquired Ish Smith. After that, he would need to be judged more valuable than Grant Jerrett, which appears possible for everyone who made the cut. Verdict: Rookie doghouse plus limited PT.
DJ Augustin
Because Telfair hasn't been terribly effective, there may be some room for Augustin on the roster. Of course, he hasn't been terribly effective either and would hardly constitute an upgrade. That said, as long as OKC is such a MASH unit, they could use the help - at least until Westbrook returns. Verdict: End of the bench/limited injury rotation.
JJ could probably make the cut on this team because of his flexibility and their injury-driven needs. It would not surprise me to see him get some time in the front court because of his versatility, but that time would quickly evaporate once PJIII and Durant (natch) returned. Verdict: End of the bench/limited injury rotation.
Kyle could likely get PT for the same reasons as Jonas, and would suffer the same fate as the rest of the players to this point would: proving that he's worth more than Grant Jerrett. Verdict: End of the bench/limited injury rotation.
Smoove might actually fit in very well considering OKC's circumstances. As much as we hate the "jumbo" package here, Smith's ability to fill in at either forward spot would make him a valuable commodity on this decimated roster. I would be surprised if he didn't start some games at SF while Durant recuperates. He likely would not hurt them as badly either, considering Ibaka's capable jumper from deep. Once Durant and Westbrook returned to set things right as far as shot attempts, he may actually become a valuable sixth/seventh man along with Reggie Jackson. Verdict: Rotation player/situational starter.
It would be difficult to sit Steven Adams considering Dre's struggles and the fact that Steven's instigator-like qualities make him very valuable. That said, OKC could really use Drummond's talent in their starting lineup right now. He would fit right in with this young team, and when Durant and Westbrook return, could definitely help power them to the championship. Verdict: Starter/1st big off the bench.
Greg could fulfill the same prominent role as Dre, but I think there is little doubt he would start - unless OKC thinks he would be more valuable as a second-unit scorer. I doubt it, since Reggie will fulfill that role when Westbrook returns, but it might not be the worst idea. In any case, he would be a great center for the team as it digs itself out of its hole when its stars return. Verdict: Starter/1st big off the bench.
KCP actually could stick as the starter at a position that OKC has had enormous problems with since James Harden left. In fact, though his defensive acumen and outside shooting would help immediately, KCP's biggest boon would be that he ISN'T Jeremy Lamb, whom the team can't get comfortable with. Morrow is firmly positioned in a "microwave" role with this team, and that isn't going to change. I think KCP would have a real opportunity to shine here. Verdict: Starter.
Caron Butler
Amusingly enough, I have little doubt that Caron Butler would be starting for the Thunder right now if they had retained him. As it stands, I think he could expect for them to slide him into the starting unit and then play him as a valuable rotation player (albeit one with low minutes) once the Dynamic Duo return. Interesting situation there. Verdict: Starter/rotation player.
While Westbrook is out, it's only fitting that the most Westbrook-like non-Westrbook in the NBA, Brandon Jennings, take his place. I think OKC would love having Brandon around both as a spot starter at point, an insurance policy against the loss of Jackson, and a possible backcourt mate for Westbrook when he returns, allowing Westbrook to play off-guard. Looks like a good match, and as well as he's played this year, he would definitely have a role. Plus, he could lobby for Mo Cheeks to get his old job back. E'erybody wins! Verdict: Starter/SWAG.
Now what do you think? Where would our Pistons players fit in with OKC?