Killian Hayes had a difficult first half of 2024 in terms of his career. In addition to finishing the previous NBA season without a team, he was excluded from his nation’s national team before to the Olympics this year. Nevertheless, Hayes has returned to the NBA after agreeing to a one-year contract with the Brooklyn Nets.

Shams Charania of The Athletic broke the initial news of Hayes’ signing. According to Charania’s article, the 6-foot-5 guard will “have a chance to compete for a roster spot.”\

Hayes was anticipated to be the Pistons’ future point guard. He was the first-ever draft pick made in Detroit during the time of former general manager Troy Weaver. His great professional experience abroad with Cholet Basket in France and Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany was a major factor in this assumption. In the 2020 NBA Draft, Detroit chose Hayes with the seventh overall pick; nevertheless, the Pistons fan base has been increasingly critical of this selection in recent years.

Despite his potential as a reliable NBA player, Hayes’ stint in Detroit was marred by inconsistent play and subpar shooting. Hayes scored 8.1 points per game while playing with the Pistons for four seasons. He shot 41% from the field and a dismal 27.7% from three-point range.

Hayes never shot beyond 30% from outside the arc throughout his time in Detroit, which hindered the team’s scoring and added to their spacing problems. Last season, Hayes averaged 6.9 points across 42 games (31 starts), shooting a career-high 41% from the field and just under 30% from three-point range.

At this year’s NBA trade deadline, the Pistons made a significant roster revamp, and Hayes seemed to be the odd man out in their plans going forward. The fourth-year guard’s wishes to leave the Pistons were reportedly communicated by his management, and the team complied by waiving him.

Ahead of the Paris Olympics in 2024, Hayes was removed from the French national squad in June.

Three Players Who Will Help The Pistons Defense in the Upcoming Season.

When you discuss the Detroit Pistons’ offseason with individuals, the majority will respond favorably. To offer more balance to the squad, the club brought in players like Malik Beasley and Tobias Harris when it first began out. The defense was one area where the Pistons’ new president, Trajan Langdon, fell short despite these encouraging actions.

The Pistons finished 25th in defensive rating and 26th in opponents’ points per game the previous season. In terms of opponents’ two-point field goals made, attempted, and percentage, they likewise placed last. Another problem was forcing turnovers, as the team was ranked 26th in this category. The team’s performance as a whole was greatly impacted by these defensive shortcomings.

Supporters had thought the team would add players to strengthen the defense, but it’s possible they did so in conjunction with the coach. Now leading the team is J.B. Bickerstaff, a capable player developer and one of the NBA’s finest defensive coaches. The Cavaliers were ranked 25th in defensive rating and 17th in opponents’ points per game when he assumed full-time head coaching duties in 2020–21. Surprisingly, throughout the previous three seasons, the Cavaliers haven’t placed worse than seventh in these categories.

Fans may initially believe that the defensive capabilities of these Pistons will be the same. Nevertheless, given Bickerstaff’s history and aptitude for developing defensive players, this might not be the case. Under his tutelage, a few players on this roster have the potential to develop into excellent defenders. What kind of players are these, and how can they improve the defense of the Pistons? Let’s investigate.

Three Players Who This Season Can Boost The Pistons Defense
Marcus Sasser: Strengthening the Defense of The Pistons’ Second Unit

Marcus Sasser didn’t have much of an offensive effect during the Summer League, shooting 33% from the field and 25% from beyond the arc. Still, he kept improving his perimeter defense significantly. Sasser led the squad in thefts per game with an average of 2.0 over his five Summer League appearances. This performance highlighted one of his primary assets coming out of college: his perimeter defense skills, which he also showed glimpses of in his rookie campaign.

Sasser is under a lot of pressure to lock down the backup point guard position on the Pistons’ depth chart this season. His contributions on defense will be just as significant as his attacking output. Sasser can concentrate more on his defensive responsibilities without having to be the team’s main scorer thanks to the second unit the Pistons have put together, which includes guys like Malik Beasley.

Players with a reputation for hard work and defense, such Isaiah Stewart and Ausar Thompson, are on the Pistons’ bench. Sasser’s ability to dismantle opponents on the perimeter will enhance the efforts of Stewart and Thompson, forming a potent defensive tandem. When the starters take a break, this synergy can help the Pistons keep up their defensive intensity, which will improve the team’s performance all around.

Jaden Ivey: Putting Defense First and Realizing Your Potential

Jaden Ivey improved his defensive game last season despite having one of the lowest defensive ratings in the league. His sheer effort was evident. His defensive shortcomings early in the season cost him the starting position to Killian Hayes. Ivey realized he needed to get better, so he concentrated on improving his defensive abilities, realizing that being a major player required more than just attacking ability. Ivey needs to keep putting in the most defensive work possible because he could be the starting shooting guard.

Ivey is 6’4″ and weighs 195 pounds, which gives him the physical attributes needed to be a good defender. Because of his exceptional top-end speed, he can effectively contest shots and maintain an advantage over opponents in the league. Ivey has every reason to become a strong defender in light of these qualities.

Ivey has a great chance to hone his defensive skills under Bickerstaff’s tutelage. Ivey may receive the guidance he needs from Bickerstaff to make better use of his physical gifts. For example, under Bickerstaff’s guidance, the Cavaliers developed into one of the league’s best defensive teams, with players like Collin Sexton and Darius Garland making notable defensive gains.

Jalen Duren: Becoming The Pistons’ Defensive Center of Excellence

Jalen Duren possesses all the physical attributes required to excel as a defender. He has the size and strength to be a dangerous presence in the paint at 6’11” and 250 pounds. His exceptional athleticism also enables him to successfully defend the rim, contest shots, and switch on pick-and-rolls. These qualities imply that Duren could develop into the Pistons’ defensive stalwart.

But Duren needs to put everything together and develop into the player that his potential suggests he can be. He frequently gets caught out of position, and foul problems may result from his lack of movement and aggression. These are typical problems that young gamers face, and they can be resolved with additional gaming time. Duren, who is only 20 years old, should gain inspiration and invaluable experience from his summertime involvement in Team USA’s select squad.

Bickerstaff has a track record of turning large men into outstanding defenders; in Cleveland, he did so with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. Backed by Bickerstaff, Duren will be able to hone his timing, placement, and understanding of the intricacies of NBA defense. Duren can make the most of his physical attributes, acquire the self-control required to stay out of foul trouble, and keep up his defensive presence throughout games with the guidance of Bickerstaff.

Final Word

The defensive improvements of these players can be unlocked by J.B. Bickerstaff’s coaching, which emphasizes discipline, positioning, and efficient use of their athletic abilities. His track record in Cleveland, where he developed players like Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen into respectable defenders, is encouraging in terms of what he may accomplish with the Pistons.

Prioritizing defensive enhancements will be crucial as the Pistons get ready for the 2024–25 campaign. The Pistons may witness a major decrease in opponents’ points per game and an overall increase in their defensive rating if Bickerstaff can develop these young players and establish a strong defensive mindset in them. The squad will play better in games and lay the groundwork for long-term success with this defensive makeover. In order to become a more competitive and well-rounded squad, the Pistons will need to strengthen their defense.