Point Guard Spotlight: Pistons’ Backcourt Performance Analyzed

Pistons fans! The 2023-24 basketball season, marked by a record-setting franchise finish of 14-68, has ended. The team’s 123-95 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday afternoon Was a testament to their challenges. Now that the season is over, it’s time to delve into the performance of individual players. Last week, we evaluated the owner, general manager, and head coach. Today, let’s turn our attention to the play of the point guard for the Pistons.

Point Guard Cade Cunningham

After the loss against the Memphis Grizzlies, Cunningham didn’t play another minute, bringing him two games short of tying a career-high in games played. He finished the season averaging 22.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 7.5 assists in 33.5 minutes of action. Despite some concerns about Cade and his role as the franchise piece in Detroit, it’s important to remember that injuries are a part of the game. Let’s look at his season overall and consider the potential he brings to the Pistons.

Pros

Cade took steps this season to be a complete point guard. He scored 20 or more points in 42 of the 62 games he played, including a career-high of 43 against the Atlanta Hawks on December 18th. I also like that he started showing more of his playmaking abilities. His 7.5 assists this season was 8th in the league. Cunningham had 55 games of 5 or more assists, which included a career-high 13 assists against the Utah Jazz on January 3rd. From the mid-range, Cunningham brought back that Richard Hamilton vibe. From 0-3 feet, Cunningham shot 61%, and from 10-16 feet, he shot 52%.

Cons

Turnovers. Cunningham had 212 turnovers, and his 3.5 turnovers per game ranks him 5th in that department. You can take that with a grain of salt, considering his 30.8 usage rate is 10th in the league, but you still want to see him clean up some of those bad turnovers as your point guard. Another concern I have with Cade is his actual impact on the floor. Per 100 possessions, Cunningham has a +/- of -8.1, which you don’t want to see from your primary guy.

Cade will be fine if he can clean the turnover up, make his presence felt a bit more when he’s on the floor, and play in at least 70-75 games next season.

Grade: B

Point Guard Marcus Sasser

One of the most exciting surprises during the draft was the Pistons trading up to acquire Marcus Sasser. The 25th overall pick, who had a stellar four years at the University Of Houston, was seen as a guy who would go very early in the second round. Despite the initial doubts, Sasser burst onto the scene and showcased his shooting ability and peskiness on defense, giving Pistons fans a reason to be hopeful.

Pros

One of the more challenging things to translate to the NBA is shooting. Sharpshooters in college have to adjust to being good shooters in the league. Sasser shot 37% from the three, which ranked him high on the team in terms of percentage and right at league average. He also showed a playmaking ability that most people didn’t expect. His 3.3 assists on the season was good enough for 3rd on the team. Sasser has demonstrated the ability to be a good backup point guard.

Cons

Sasser didn’t attack the rim often. He averaged less than one free throw per game (0.9). Like Cade, I would like for Sasser to have more of an impact on the floor. He has a +/- of -9.5 per 100 possessions when he’s out there. Outside of his three-point shooting, He was below league average.

Sasser: 42% FG League Average: 47%
Marcus: 51% Effective Field Goal League Average: 54%
Sasser: 54% True Shooting League Average: 58%

If he will be the first guy off the bench, He must get those shooting percentages up. I don’t worry about those too much because Sasser is a rookie, and I am sure he will work this summer to improve.

Grade: C+

Point Guard Malachi Flynn

Considered a throw-in in the Quentin Grimes acquisition from the Knicks, Flynn showed a bit of ability as a guy you can rely on if needed. The highlight of his season was the 50 points he scored against the Atlanta Hawks. Flynn became the first piston to score 50 since Saddiq Bey.

Pros

Being constantly traded and never allowed to showcase your abilities can take a toll on your mental. Despite not playing, Flynn stayed ready and able if his number was called upon. In the six games after the 50 points, Flynn averaged 4.0 assists and 1.2 steals with just 1.5 turnovers. He served as an emergency point guard this season for the Pistons.

Cons

Flynn was a below-average shooter from three, with his 31% in Detroit. 45% of the shots he took were from three. Like Sasser and Cunningham, Flynn was negative on the floor, with his +/- per 100 possessions being a -14.8. Outside of close shots, Flynn could have been a better shooter. He shot 38% from 3-10 feet and 35% from 10-16 feet.

Grade: D+

Point Guard Killian Hayes

The former #7 overall pick in the 2020 draft couldn’t find his footing in Detroit. I had such high hopes for Hayes, but ultimately, the Pistons decided it was time to part ways.

Pros

Killian was a true point guard. He wouldn’t turn the ball over, and he was a pest on the defensive end. In the 42 games he played this season, Hayes had 205 assists to 51 turnovers. Hayes’s assist-to-turnover ratio was one of the highest in the league. From close, Hayes was very effective. He shot 70% from 0-3 feet, 42% from 3-10 feet, and 42% from 10-16 feet.

Cons

Hayes could never develop that right hand, making him very predictable to guard. He also was a terrible three-point shooter at 29%. Like Sasser, Cunningham, and Flynn, Hayes was a liability on the floor per 100 possessions with his -10.7 rating. Monty Williams had all the confidence in him, but he couldn’t put it all together.

Grade: F

Point Guard Monte Morris

Grade: INC

He didn’t play enough games to be considered.

In Conclusion.

There were some things to like about the Piston’s point guard rotation but a lot to dislike. There is potential between Cunningham and Sasser. I believe they can be outstanding players based on their defined roles. For Malachi Flynn, You look at the negatives and think he shouldn’t be a piece in the future. I argue against that statement. With his 50-point game against the Hawks, You see that he has the talent when he can put it all together. As we advance, I like this rotation, but Just like every position, It was a struggle this season.

Overall Grade: C (Not including Hayes and Morris since they’re no longer on the team.)

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