The Detroit Pistons lost their first summer league game to the Philadelphia 76ers, 94-81. While the outcome of the game doesn't matter, a few aspects of the game do. It's hard to evaluate Summer League play, but some things stood out.
Ron Holland doesn't look rotation ready
Ron Holland, the Pistons 2024 5th overall pick, played well but looked raw. The many wing additions (Tim Hardaway Jr., Malik Beasley, Tobias Harris) make more sense now. He struggled with his shooting and handling the ball. He's clearly an elite athlete (he displayed it several times throughout the game); however, even clearer is that he is used to using his athleticism alone to get his shot off. At the NBA level, he'll need to develop and learn how to protect the ball on the drive. He finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals. He shot 5-15 but made 5-6 free throws. His effort on the defensive end is also worth noting. He has the skills to become an elite defender.
Dannis Jenkins is a good pickup
The Detroit Pistons signed undrafted rookie free agent Dannis Jenkins to a 2-way contract. He looked good on both ends of the floor, displaying some strong floor general skills. The Pistons have a clear need at the backup point guard position. He may not be the guy getting those minutes in October, but he could work his way into the rotation by season's end. Jenkins had 10 points and five assists off the bench. It's easy to overreact to Summer League games, especially in regards to scoring, but Jenkins could find a Jose Alvarado-like niche in the NBA. The Pistons need more willing passers like Jenkins in their rotation.
Bobi Klintman looked incredible
Bobi Klintman, the 37th overall pick, looked smooth on the floor. He scored, passed, and moved without the ball. Everything looked very comfortable. When the NBA season starts, perhaps then he'll get sped up, but he didn't look it in summer league game one. Klintman signed his rookie contract today as well. He had 13 points, five assists, and five rebounds. He shot 5-10, including 3-7 from beyond the arc. Overall, he had a good day. Klintman could compete for minutes this year. Many thought he'd be a G-League player, but he doesn't look like it. He looks ahead of many other young Pistons regarding his comfort on the floor.
Marcus Sasser and Wendell Moore Jr. struggled
Neither Marcus Sasser nor Wendell Moore Jr. raised their stock today. Sasser finished with one point on 0-6 shooting. Moore Jr. had seven points on 2-10 shooting. If Summer League counts for anything in terms of competing for minutes, neither helped their case. Sasser, in particular, looks like he could be in line for the backup point guard minutes. There could be a competition there, or Trajan Langdon, who was in attendance, could be evaluating to see if he needs to add a veteran backup. Sasser is more of a two-guard than a point guard, and using Summer League to help him develop that part of his game makes sense. He can score, no doubt. Moore, however, could use a big Summer League to put himself in the conversation of fighting for a rotation spot.
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