Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons agreed to a two-way contract with former Oregon Ducks forward Louis King on Monday. 

Shams Charania of The Vertical and Stadium reported the news. King went undrafted in Thursday's NBA draft. 

The 6'8", 195-pound forward proved to be playmaker on both ends of the court last season, as he led the Ducks in both scoring (13.5 PPG) and rebounding (5.5 RPG) among players with double-digit appearances.

             

King's Scouting Profile (per B/R's Jonathan Wasserman) 

Offensive Strengths

Good mix of positional 6'8" size and shot-making skill. Smooth scorer from each level who could become more explosive as he builds back strength in his knee following meniscus tear last year.

                                  

Offensive Weaknesses

If he's not making shots, he's probably not adding much to the team. Needs to regain some lost burst to maximize potential.

                    

Defensive Outlook

Size, mobility to guard both forward spots. Has the chance to be a fine defender, but nothing about his short time at Oregon suggests there is any exciting defensive upside.

                    

Projected role: Shot-making role player

        

As for King's scouting report of himself, he told reporters at a predraft workout in mid-June that he has a high motor and loves to win:

King's college career got off to a slow start, but he played a pivotal role in getting the Ducks to the 2019 NCAA tournament. 

After missing the first seven games of the season while recovering from a knee injury suffered during his high school days, King averaged just 6.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game during his first month at Oregon.

He stepped up his game at the start of the new year, though, averaging 15.0 points per game and 5.9 rebounds per game the rest of the way.

Behind King's strong play, Oregon won eight consecutive games en route to the Pac-12 tournament title, securing a spot in the Big Dance. With King leading the way, the Ducks made it to the Sweet 16 before losing to the eventual champs, the Virginia Cavaliers.

King may not be the highest-rated player in his draft class, but he showed that he can be a playmaker when he's healthy, especially on the offensive end of the court. His shot gives him the ability to make an immediate impact—he shot 43.5 percent overall and 38.6 percent from beyond the arc at Oregon.

The Detroit Pistons selected Lithuanian forward Deividas Sirvydis with the No. 37 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft.

     

Sirvydis Scouting Profile (h/t B/R's Jonathan Wasserman)

Offensive Strengths

Strong mix of size, driving and shooting ability. A project, but his body and game hint at an NBA forward.

Offensive Weaknesses

Limited off the dribble in terms of creativity. Hasn't played heavy minutes.

Defensive Outlook

Has tools/mobility to be a serviceable defender.

Projected role: Reserve wing

     

Sirvydis, 19, averaged 5.4 points and 1.9 rebounds last season for BC Rytas. A lanky 6'8" forward with a sweet shooting stroke, Sirvydis is a prime draft-and-stash candidate.

"Competing against some of the best players and teams in Europe helped instill a tremendous amount of self-confidence in me and elevated my game," Sirvydis told ESPN's Jonathan Givony. "While the NBA draft simply wasn't on my radar, I always believed in myself and my abilities on the court, and I am so excited to see what lies ahead for me."

It would be a surprise to see Sirvydis come over immediately. He doesn't have a ton of high-level experience yet and will need to fill out his frame before becoming a difference-maker at the NBA level.

At the least, Sirvydis could come over at some point as a skilled offensive player who spaces the floor and makes smart passes. 

The Pistons need shooting across their roster, so Sirvydis could be a strong fit in Detroit. It's also possible they ask him to play in the G League next season if he wants to come over. 

The Detroit Pistons added a high-upside prospect to their roster by taking Sekou Doumbouya with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft on Thursday. 

The @DetroitPistons select Sekou Doumbouya with the No. 15 pick in the 2019 #NBADraft! pic.twitter.com/44qqVYEyI5

— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 21, 2019

Here's a look at how Doumbouya fits with Detroit's roster.

Check out B/R NBA draft expert Jonathan Wasserman’s scouting profile on Doumbouya. 

             

Pistons Active Roster and Average Salary (Expiration Year)

Andre Drummond, C: $25.4M (2021)

Blake Griffin, PF: $34.2M (2022)

Bruce Brown, SG: $1.3M (2021)

Glenn Robinson III, SG: $4.1M (2020)

Khyri Thomas, SG: $1.3M (2021)

Langston Galloway, SG: $7M (2020)

Luke Kennard, SG: $3.3M (2021)

Reggie Jackson, PG: $16M (2020)

Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, SG: $1.5M (2020)

Thon Maker, C: $2.9M (2020)

Tony Snell, SG: $11.5M (2021)

Sekou Doumbouya, SF: $2.7M (2023)

Deividas Sirvydis, SF: N/A

Jordan Bone, PG: N/A

            

Free Agents

Glenn Robinson III, SG: Team

Isaiah Whitehead, PG: RFA

Ishmael Smith, PG: UFA

Jose Calderon, PG: UFA

Kalin Lucas, PG: RFA

Wayne Ellington, SG: UFA

Zaza Pachulia, C: UFA

                 

The Guinea-born 18-year-old spent the past year playing for Limoges in France, carving out a valuable role within the rotation. He averaged 7.7 points and 3.2 rebounds in 19.2 minutes per game for Limoges in league play, showcasing the type of talent NBA scouts were salivating over.

At 6'9" with great athleticism, Doumbouya is especially valuable near the basket as someone who can finish at the rim with consistency or be a quality rim-protector on defense.

Perhaps most importantly, he has a developing outside shot that could make him a versatile scorer going forward, as Mike Schmitz of ESPN explained:

Slow-motion look at Sekou Doumbouya’s shooting stroke. The 18-year-old shot 31.9% from 3 this past season with Limoges. Has more natural touch than his percentages would suggest. pic.twitter.com/3ZD2UDGWbl

— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) June 8, 2019

Jonathan Givony of ESPN also compared his measurements to Toronto Raptors star Pascal Siakam:

https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1137556286848020481

These factors keep Doumbouya's ceiling high as he heads into the next stage of his career.

On the other hand, the risk is just as great for the Pistons because Doumbouya could struggle to reach expectations. If he can't add strength or develop his outside shot, he might not be able to crack a rotation.

Look for Detroit to bring him along slowly as he tries to live up to his lofty draft slot. The presence of Blake Griffin will allow the Pistons to let Doumbouya gradually adjust to the NBA if they envision him at the 4 long term.

The Detroit Pistons have selected Sekou Doumbouya with the No. 15 pick of the 2019 NBA draft.

He's the youngest prospect in the field, as he doesn't turn 19 until Christmastime. And he was still a productive player in pro leagues overseas despite being a raw talent. With standout physical tools and the versatility to play and guard both forward positions, Doumbouya pops as an NBA fit.

           

Quick hitters

Size: 6'8"

Weight: 230 pounds

Wingspan: 6'11"

Pro comparison: Al-Farouq Aminu

            

Offensive strengths

At 6'8" and 230 pounds, Doumbouya has a stud physical profile for an NBA 3 or 4. He shot 58.6 percent inside the arc this season, showing strong finishing ability off drives and cuts. He's not an advanced shot-creator, but he has rudimentary ball-handling skills and a bounce to his step off the dribble. He's also making strides as a shooter, having hit 29 threes in 39 games with a believable-looking stroke, despite the small sample size of made shots. And in doses, he flashes glimpses of scoring potential with his pull-up and floater. Doumbouya opened eyes wider with a 34-point eruption on May 18.

           

Offensive weaknesses

Doumboya is mostly an off-ball player, limited with the rock against a set defense. He only managed 41 free-throw attempts and 27 assists all year. A lot will be riding on his shooting development, since he doesn't project as a featured offensive option. And despite the improvement, he's still at 31.5 percent from behind the arc. His feel for the game is also questionable based on certain decisions and reads, which can be worrisome for a role player.

              

Defensive outlook

Doubouya's defensive IQ isn't on par with his tools, but his strength and quickness create enticing versatility and potential for when he guards opponents one-on-one. He's capable of defending multiple spots and switching, and when locked in, he can add apply tough pressure on the ball. However, he does get caught missing rotations and reads, and he'll likely need time in the pros before he establishes himself as a reliable plus defender.

          

Rookie-year projection

Given his age and fact that he averaged just 18.1 minutes per game this past season, Doumbouya isn't a likely regular in this year's rotation. He'll make appearances for his physicality and athleticism to give the frontcourt a different look. But any offense or defensive value the coaches get from Doumbouya in his rookie year should be considered a bonus.

            

Projected role: Three-and-D starter

While it's easy to be drawn to Doumbouya's upside, it's his floor that should appear most attractive. He seems too far away skillwise to transform into a major scorer. However, he can develop into a capable three-point shooter who's efficient inside the arc and serviceable on defense. He projects as a two-way role player.

Stats courtesy of Synergy Sports, RealGM.

The Detroit Pistons have Portland Trail Blazers guard and 2019 free agent Seth Curry "on their target list," per James L. Edwards III of The Athletic.

Curry, 28, has averaged 7.9 points on 45.6 percent shooting (45.0 percent from three-point range) in 74 games this season.

The Detroit Pistons finished 29th in field-goal percentage and tied for 22nd in three-point percentage last season, so adding Curry to the mix could help improve their shooting woes.

As Edwards noted, Detroit is looking for a backup point guard. Ish Smith, who assumed that role behind Reggie Jackson last season, is a free agent.

Curry is the Blazers' primary combo guard off the bench. All-Star floor general Damian Lillard handles the vast majority of the team's point guard duties, but Edwards provided reasoning Curry can run the Pistons' show as a reserve:

"Yet when examining Curry’s potential as a point guard and primary creator, he was effective during the regular season in that regard. Per Synergy, Curry’s most-used play type was as a pick-and-roll ball-handler, and he netted an “excellent” 1.021 points per possession. Curry’s ability to shoot the ball from all over is a skill Detroit lacks in its current construct, and he’s also a little bit better of a finisher around the rim than most give him credit for."

An NBA agent told Edwards that Curry could land a salary between $5 million and $8 million annually for his new contract. Per Edwards, the Pistons would have the cap space to make it work.

Ultimately, Curry's outside shooting would be the biggest spark to Detroit. He's been lights-out from beyond the arc throughout his career, as noted by CBS Sports:

CRAZY BUT TRUE: Seth Curry has a higher career three-point FG percentage than his brother Steph.

-

NBA Career Leaders in 3-PT FG%:

1. Steve Kerr (45.54%)
2. Hubert Davis (44.09%)
3. SETH Curry (43.88%)
4. Drazen Petrovic (43.74%)
5. STEPHEN Curry (43.64%) pic.twitter.com/Rgto9cTC4S

— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) May 6, 2019

Curry, who is playing on a $2.8 million contract, should land a big raise this offseason. But until then, he's part of the Blazers' playoff run.

Portland visits Denver on Tuesday for Game 5 of its Western Conference second-round playoff series. The matchup is tied at two games apiece.

The Detroit Pistons reportedly could have interest in veteran point guard Derrick Rose in free agency during the upcoming offseason.

According to Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press on Friday, Rose will be a "subject of debate" within Detroit's front office as it looks to add depth at point guard behind Reggie Jackson.

The 30-year-old Rose is coming off a productive season with the Minnesota Timberwolves in which he averaged 18.0 points, 4.3 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 51 games, including just 13 starts.

In addition to Rose, Ellis listed Portland Trail Blazers guard Seth Curry and Patrick Beverley of the Los Angeles Clippers as potential targets if Detroit does not re-sign Ish Smith in free agency.

The biggest concern with Rose is durability. He is a three-time All-Star and one-time NBA MVP dating back to his early years with the Chicago Bulls, but injuries have limited him significantly over the past two season.

Rose has appeared in just 76 games over the past two seasons combined, and he has not played in more than 66 games in a single season since 2010-11.

Knee injuries cost Rose all but 10 games between the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons, and he has seemingly never been the same since.

Rose was highly effective when healthy this season, though, and he could be a much-needed offensive catalyst off the bench for a Pistons team that leaned heavily on power forward Blake Griffin and center Andre Drummond as the two leading scorers.

Jackson averaged 15.4 points and 4.2 assists per game, and while he appeared in all 82 contests, he has failed to play in more than 52 games in five of his nine seasons in the league. 

There would be some risk in backing Jackson up with another injury-prone player, especially since Rose is coming off an elbow ailment that cut his season short.

Detroit undoubtedly needs more offensive punch at the guard positions in order to compete in the Eastern Conference and improve on a 41-41 record that earned it the No. 8 seed in the playoffs, though.

The Pistons were swept by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, and it may be difficult for them to get much better this offseason with over $79 million tied up in Griffin, Drummond and Jackson next season.

Rose should come at a relative bargain given his injury history, making him an affordable option to help Detroit improve on its standing as the No. 25 scoring team in the NBA this season.

Detroit Pistons All-Star forward Blake Griffin spent the first two games of his team's first-round Eastern Conference series against the Milwaukee Bucks on the sidelines with knee soreness, and he underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee to start his offseason on Wednesday.

According to James Edwards III of The Athletic, Griffin is not expected to miss any planned offseason training.

Prior to the operation, the veteran forward talked about having the opportunity to get healthy over the summer.

"I don't anticipate missing any time working out other than just my normal time I take off," he said, per NBA.com. "It'll be a long off-season again, like last off-season, which is a good thing for me because I'll be able to get in the gym and work and come back and be ready."

Griffin was active for Game 3 of the series, but his presence was not enough to help the Pistons avoid a sweep at the hands of the top-seeded Bucks. He averaged 24.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists in two appearances.

As head coach Dwane Casey made clear after the series, per NBA.com, his effort stood out:

"Blake played his heart out with basically one leg and he gave everything he could to our team. He fought a lot of pain, swelling just so he could support his teammates. I think we were in sixth place when he started experiencing the pain and swelling but he kept with it. Kept playing until he couldn't play any more. He gave everything he could to our team. We owe him a lot as far as what he gives us, the leadership he gave to the young players."

The 30-year-old six-time All-Star dealt with the nagging knee injury down the stretch this season. On April 7, Casey commented to the Detroit News' Rod Beard that playing couldn't further injure Griffin's knee.

However, the team still opted to sideline the power forward for the final game of the regular season and the first two postseason games.  

Following Game 1, Griffin admitted to Beard that he would have played if it were up to him, which makes the situation all the more peculiar. 

#Pistons Blake Griffin on sitting out games because of his knee injury: "I have to do what our organization, our training staff, our doctors think is best – and that’s the bottom line."

— Rod Beard (@ajcRodBeard) April 15, 2019

#Pistons Blake Griffin said returning from his knee injury is not a pain issue only...sounds more complicated than that, with a lot of people in on the decision to sit him.

— Rod Beard (@ajcRodBeard) April 15, 2019

When on the court, Griffin was undoubtedly the biggest difference-maker for the Pistons. In his first full season with the team, he averaged 24.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.4 assists across 75 contests. 

Detroit Pistons power forward Blake Griffin is listed as active for Game 3 of the team's first-round playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, according to Keith Langlois of Pistons.com.

Griffin missed the first two games of the series with left knee soreness, and the Pistons find themselves in a 2-0 hole.

With the series going to Detroit for Game 3, the Pistons will receive a major boost on their home floor with their best player returning.

Griffin averaged 24.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.4 assists during the regular season for the 41-41 Pistons, who earned the Eastern Conference's eighth and final playoff seed.

The 30-year-old, who earned his sixth All-Star appearance, shot 46.2 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from deep.

Griffin has suffered numerous injuries throughout his pro career.

A bone bruise in his right ankle, a staph infection in his right elbow, a partially torn left quad, a right-hand injury, right knee surgery and an MCL sprain hindered him between 2014 and 2018, forcing him off the court for a combined 107 games.

Griffin can be an offensive force when healthy, though, and his mere presence will give the Pistons a much better shot at lessening the series deficit to 2-1 against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks on Saturday.

If Griffin remains somewhat limited by his knee injury, Thon Maker could continue to see significant playing time in Game 3, along with starting center Andre Drummond.

Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin is reportedly expected to miss the team's first-round series with the Milwaukee Bucks because of a left knee injury.

Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports reported there is a "slim chance" Griffin returns this weekend, which means he'll miss at least three games. The plan is to list him as "day to day," but the expectation is Griffin's season is over.

The All-Star forward has been in and out of the lineup with a sprained knee for weeks. He missed most of the Pistons' penultimate game against the Memphis Grizzlies and sat out their finale against the New York Knicks, wins the team needed to clinch a playoff berth.

"Obviously, it's very, very frustrating. You sacrifice your body throughout the year and play through little injuries to get to this point," Griffin told reporters after the Pistons' 121-86 loss in Milwaukee. "Obviously, very frustrated. I never like to feel like I'm leaving my guys out there.

"I have to do what our organization, our training staff, our doctors think is best—and that's the bottom line."

Griffin, 30, averaged 24.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.4 assists while leading the Pistons to their first playoff berth since 2015-16. He played in 75 games, his most since the 2013-14 campaign. No stranger to injuries, Griffin described his as "10 out of 10" and said he would have played Sunday if it were in his hands.

"I don't have a great answer to that. It's a complicated answer. If it was pain, I would easily play with pain. It's a complication situation," Griffin said. "If it was just my decision, I would have played."

The Pistons have little incentive to push Griffin into action. They're not beating the Bucks whether he's on the floor or not. His presence might be the difference between a 35-point loss and a 20-point loss, but that's still quite the chasm to fill.

Detroit has three more years of max-level salary to pay Griffin. Sending him out there and potentially forcing a more serious injury—one that makes that contract look shakier than it already does—is not the most prudent move.

Detroit Pistons star Blake Griffin won't play in the team's Game 1 matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday as he deals with left knee soreness, according to the Detroit News' Rod Beard.

The 2018-19 season was a return to form for Griffin. He averaged 24.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 75 appearances for the Pistons. He also continued to show off his improved scoring range.

Entering this year, Griffin had 191 made three-pointers over his first nine seasons. He connected on 189 threes in 2018-19 alone and shot 36.2 percent from beyond the arc.

In large part because of Griffin's performance, the Pistons returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. He led the team in scoring and assists and was second in rebounding.

Griffin's injury presents a big problem to Detroit. Beyond the fact that he's one of the team's best players, head coach Dwane Casey will likely turn to Thon Maker at power forward. Maker showed promise early in his career in Milwaukee, but he made only 37.3 percent of his field-goal attempts in 29 games with the Pistons.

Relying on Maker to play significant minutes in a playoff series is a recipe for disaster against the top-seeded Bucks.