Overall, I'm suggesting swapping the 40 minutes a game that Cory Joseph and Frank Jackson receive to be split among Cade Cunningham, Killian Hayes, and Saben Lee.
Cory Joseph is a talented basketball player, but why does he play so much and play in more critical situations than the other point guards? The Pistons have started this season facing off against several very talented teams and have struggled. This isn't world-shatteringly awful, but given that the Pistons are losing these games anyway, why not play Saben Lee and give Cade Cunningham more looks with the ball? Furthermore, Killian Hayes has been more effective at the point of late, so why isn't he getting more minutes?
If the Pistons are building for the future, they should invest more playing time in the point guards of the future. Cory Joseph will not be on any contending Pistons team. Or at least he won't be in a contending Pistons team's rotation. So, why is he playing so much?
Let's compare Joseph to Killian statistically since that is everyone's favorite form of analysis now. CoJo is averaging just under 7 points and 3 assists a game compared to Killian averaging just under 6 points and being right at 3 assists. So, this is pretty similar. They are playing 20 and 24 minutes a game and shooting 36.6/26.7 and 28/33.3 from the field (FG/3P%). Again, similar. So, Joseph is, if at all, only outplaying Hayes by a minimum from the statistical point of view. Still, Hayes has played better in recent games after coming off of an injury. As his confidence grows, his performance will improve. The only way to improve confidence is reps. So, the Pistons should increase his reps. Again, it is an investment. Which player should the Pistons invest more in?
The more important difference here is age. Killian Hayes, Saben Lee, and Cade Cunningham should be getting all of the minutes at the point guard spot because they are more likely to be on a Pistons team that is contending.
Saben Lee's lack of minutes is baffling. Lee outplayed both Hayes and Joseph in the preseason but has been relegated to the bench for reasons unknown. I know Coach Casey really likes Cory Joseph (for reasons unknown), but I really believe that investing in the younger players will gain the Pistons higher returns. In fact, I think investing earlier will get the Pistons those returns sooner, too.
Don't waste a season giving vets bigger minutes unless it is going to result in 10-15 more wins. Does anyone believe that Cory Joseph equals 10-15 more wins than Saben Lee? Show me how you come to that conclusion, and I'll shut up. I swear I'd love to know. Cause if it doesn't get the Pistons those wins, then why are they doing it?
The same logic of investment can be applied to Frank Jackson. His outside shooting last year was phenomenal. Through seven games, he is shooting 17% from the three-point line. So, the whole "we need shooting argument" is dead on the stat sheet. Maybe give him a rest, try out Diallo, or give more playing time to one of those point guards for a dual-point lineup. What is the harm in trying something new? What is the harm in investing in them?
I won't hide the ball here. I'm a big Saben Lee fan and think that he should be playing ahead of both Cory Joseph and Frank Jackson. He is better defensively than both of them and couldn't shoot any worse. Again, not to hide the ball, I don't like Joseph's style of play. He is a score-first point guard.
I generally don't like score-first point guards. You might point out Steph Curry, Damian Lillard, or Kyrie Irving to contradict dissing the score-first point guard. You'd be right that it can work, but I'd have to point out that you are comparing Hall-of-Fame caliber players to Cory Joseph. Name a comparable player that is leading his team with this playing style. He doesn't have the stuff to play that way. It's not an insult. It's just reality. Cory Joseph is a role player, but I think that Saben Lee could play that role of backup point guard better.
I don't believe that player development and team success are mutually exclusive. If there is clear evidence that the current lineup is going to win significantly more games, then, by all means, they should stick with it. I just don't think anything indicates that as the truth.
Saben Lee would fit in better with Diallo and Josh Jackson in that second unit, too. He changes the pace and plays tough defense. I really like the idea of seeing what those three could do defensively hounding the ball, switching on screens, causing turnovers, and getting into the open court. Could that group get out of control from time to time? Yes, but as I said before, investments are risks. I think this lineup has a higher payout and a higher risk.
But if we're going to be a lottery team, why not take a risk? What do the Pistons have to lose that they aren't already?