The Detroit Pistons once again selected talent in the lottery, much like the Washington Wizards. The skill that the newest Pistons possess is undeniable, however, they have questions in their games that must be addressed in the coming season. Here is a question that each of the rookies on the Detroit Pistons has to answer during the 2024-25 NBA season.
One Question For Each Detroit Pistons Rookie
Ron Holland II
Question: Can Holland improve as a three-point shooter?
The Pistons selected G-League Ignite star Ron Holland II with the 5th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Without a doubt, the best attributes that Holland possesses as a player are his athleticism, two-way play, and energy. He can effortlessly get to the basket for a highlight dunk and play tough defense on the other end. While Holland had an up-and-down Summer League performance, he did show what he is capable of. In his last game, Holland had an efficient 23-point performance and put his two-way potential on full display. Holland knows how to utilize his athletic gifts to be a force at the rim and a stout defender.
While Holland is excellent at getting to the rim, he is far worse at shooting the ball from beyond the arc. Holland shot a paltry 23.9% from three in the G-League and on 3.1 attempts per game. In today’s NBA, teams can easily exploit a player’s lack of shooting to their advantage, so it is imperative for Holland to improve as a shooter. Shooting will be the swing skill for Holland’s ceiling as a player. If he can improve as a shooter, then stardom is in the picture for Holland. If he can’t show meaningful improvement, it will be tough for Holland in the long run. As long as Holland’s shooting is trending the right way, the Pistons will have a great player on their hands.
Bobi Klintman
Question: Can Klintman improve his strength throughout the season?
The Pistons obtained the draft rights to the 37th overall pick, Bobi Klintman, in a trade with the Timberwolves. The Swedish forward is best known for his ability to be a competent floor-spacer at six-foot-ten. Klintman can easily knock down threes in catch-and-shoot situations, which he demonstrated in Australia this past season. He also has excellent physical tools and size to be an impactful defender in the future. At Summer League, Klintman made it clear that he could be a threat from outside. Furthermore, he made an impact on the boards and found open teammates for the assist. As shown at Summer League, Klintman has an interesting set of skills that will make him a versatile player in the future.
While Klintman’s shooting and physical tools are impressive, he is lacking in strength despite his size. He would be a more effective player on both ends if he could improve upon his strength. Klintman can struggle finishing at the basket and improving his strength can help him in that regard. On defense, he has issues dealing with stronger players in the post, so improving his strength would help him there as well. Klintman improving his strength will help him become a better player in the future, so he work on his strength throughout the 2024-2025 season.
Daniss Jenkins
Question: Can Jenkins scale back his offense to a more off-ball role?
Daniss Jenkins signed a two-way contract with the Detroit Pistons after going undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft. The single best characteristic of Jenkins’s game is his versatility as a player. Jenkins is a good playmaker who can score and defend at a high level. As the lead guard in his later years in college, he consistently found ways to score on all three levels and to be impactful as a defender despite his size at six-foot-three. At Summer League, he had moments where he put on full display the skills he developed in college and that they were not for show. In particular, he had a 26-point performance and did so with high efficiency. That performance, alongside other noteworthy moments, showed that Jenkins has the skills to stick in the league.
While Jenkins has the skills to be an effective player in the NBA, the real question for him is whether or not he can scale back his role on offense to a more off-ball role. In college, Jenkins had the benefit of being the lead guard, but he will have no such luxury in the NBA. He needs to prove that he can still be a productive player in a reduced role. If he can improve as a shooter, it will go a long way in answering that question. Regardless, it will be up to Jenkins to show that he deserves to be in the NBA.
