Detroit Pistons final grades: Regression prompted start of rebuild - MLive.com

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The Detroit Pistons took a small step in Dwane Casey’s first year as coach, reaching the playoffs and getting swept by Milwaukee. They eyed more progress in 2019-20, with better health, more depth and growth from younger players.

But they stumbled out of the gate at 4-10 and never recovered. Injuries to Blake Griffin, Reggie Jackson and Luke Kennard contributed to their demise. They did not win more than two games in a row – and that happened only three times.

They had no choice but to reverse course and start rebuilding mid-season, trading Andre Drummond and buying out Jackson and Markieff Morris.

The Pistons were 20-46 when the season was suspended on March 11 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Their final 16 games were cancelled after the NBA opted for a 22-team return to play format. They had the fifth-worst record in the league.

Here are MLive’s final 2019-20 grades. This includes only players who finished the season on the roster. Contract figures are courtesy of hoopshype.com:

Detroit Pistons guard Bruce Brown (6) reacts after a 3-pointer in the second half of their NBA game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The Bucks won the game, 126-106. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

Bruce Brown: B

The second-year guard improved in three key areas as he adapted to point guard: He was a better ball-handler, distributor and shooter. His statistics (8.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 44 percent from the field, 34 percent 3-point shooting) were considerably better than during his rookie season. He remained the team’s best and most tenacious perimeter defender.

Contract: One year remaining at $1.6 million.

Sekou Doumbouya: C

The rookie had a tremendous two-week stretch from Jan. 2-15, averaging 14 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 54 percent (41 percent from three), posterizing Tristan Thompson and dropping 24 during a surprise victory at Boston. He could not maintain it, however, scoring in double figures just once in the final 23 games after that run. Still, his strength, athleticism and ability to get to the rim, along with his shooting range, offers much promise for the future.

Contract: Three years remaining at $3.4 million, $3.6 million and $5.5 million.

Langston Galloway: B+

He found the consistency that was lacking his first two seasons in Detroit and was the only Piston to play all 66 games. He shot career-bests from the field (44 percent) and from beyond the arc (40 percent) and averaged 10.3 points, his best output since his rookie season with the Knicks in 2014-15. A pro who’s a good influence in the room, the Pistons might look to re-sign him.

Contract: Unrestricted free agent.

Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin (23) drives against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the third quarter of their NBA game at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, on Wednesday, December 4, 2019. The Bucks won the game, 127-103. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

Blake Griffin: C-

It was a disastrous injury-plagued 18-game season for the star forward. He missed the first 11 games with knee soreness and his season ended following his second surgery in less than nine months. He tried hard, as always, but struggled to get lift on his shot (career-worst 35 percent, 24 percent from three) and to defend. He averaged career lows in points (15.5) and rebounds (4.7).

Contract: Two years remaining at $37 million and $39 million.

John Henson: B

He appeared in 11 games, starting six, after being acquired from Cleveland for his expiring contract in the Drummond trade and he maximized his minutes. He finished well around the rim, shooting 67 percent while averaging 6.9 points, and provided rebounding help (4.4).

Contract: Unrestricted free agent.

Detroit Pistons guard Luke Kennard (5) drives against Orlando Magic guard Melvin Frazier Jr. (35) during their NBA preseason game at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, on Monday, October 7, 2019. The Magic won the game, 115-91. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

Luke Kennard: B+

Bilateral knee soreness limited him to 28 games, none after Dec. 21. He showed steady progress since midway through 2018-19 and made a significant jump this season, from averaging 9.7 points to 15.8. He also averaged career highs in rebounds (3.5) and assists (4.1) while starting 25 games. His future in the organization is cloudy, after his name surfaced in the trade rumor mill around the deadline.

Contract: One year remaining at $5.2 million.

Brandon Knight: B

He played better in only nine games with the Pistons (averaging 11.6 points and 4.2 assists) than he did in 16 games for the Cavaliers (4.9 points, 1.9 assists) before the Drummond trade.

Contract: Unrestricted free agent.

Thon Maker: D

He has not developed in 1½ years since arriving from Milwaukee, taking a step back due to inconsistent performances that caused his usage to fluctuate game-to-game. His effort cannot be questioned, as he plays hard consistently, but it has not yielded results (4.7 points). Lack of strength made rebounding (he averaged 2.8 per game) and defending difficult.

Contract: Restricted free agent.

Jordan McRae: Incomplete

Late-season free-agent acquisition played only four games but showed his scoring ability, averaging 11.8 points, though his shooting was far from sharp (33 percent; 19 percent from three).

Contract: Unrestricted free agent.

Svi Mykhailiuk: B

A sharp-shooting wing who took a significant step in his second season, his first full year with the Pistons. He started 27 of the 56 games he played, averaging 9 points and shooting 40 percent from 3-point range, a considerable improvement from his rookie season. He still has work to do defensively.

Contract: One year remaining at $1.6 million.

Detroit Pistons guard Derrick Rose (25) looks on in the first quarter of their NBA game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

Derrick Rose: A-

The veteran point guard provided a much-needed scoring boost (averaging 18.1 points), mostly off the bench. Injuries and age (31) have taken their toll, but he still has the speed burst that enables him to attack the rim. He scored 20 or more points in a career-high 14 consecutive games from Jan. 4-31 before being hampered with an ankle injury that caused him to miss nine of the final 15 games. He got teammates involved, averaging 5.6 assists, his highest since 2011-12.

Contract: One year remaining at $7.6 million.

Tony Snell: C

For someone who started 57-of-59 games and shot 40 percent from 3-point range, he did not provide enough offense (8.0 points per game) to go along with his defense, one of the primary reasons he was acquired from Milwaukee. Either not enough plays were called for him or he was not assertive enough.

Contract: One year remaining at $12.1 million.

Khyri Thomas: Incomplete

The Pistons remain high on this 2018 draft pick because of his 3-point shooting potential and defense, but he has not shown much so far. Foot surgery limited him to eight games this season. The 6-3 shooting guard has averaged only 7.5 minutes in 34 career games.

Contract: One year remaining at $1.6 million.

Detroit Pistons center Christian Wood (35) goes up for a layup in the fourth quarter of their NBA game against the Brooklyn Nets at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, on Saturday, January 25, 2020. The Nets won the game in overtime, 121-111. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

Christian Wood: A-

The undrafted 6-10 journeyman was claimed off waivers and earned the final roster spot in a training camp battle with veteran Joe Johnson. Then he blossomed with opportunity, averaging 13.1 points and 6.3 rebounds in a career-high 62 games. In 13 games following the Drummond trade, Wood averaged 22.8 points and 9.9 rebounds. He also in a threat from distance (39 percent). Signing him is the Pistons’ top off-season priority.

Contract: Unrestricted free agent.

Others: Players on two-way contracts (Jordan Bone and Louis King) and players signed to 10-day contracts late in the season (Derrick Walton Jr., Donta Hall) did not play enough minutes to formulate an evaluation.

Coach Dwayne Casey and staff: C

Long-term injuries to key players, which contributed to the team reversing course mid-season and starting a rebuild, makes it difficult to evaluate Casey. Developing young players in Toronto was one of his strengths and that has shown here with the progress of Kennard, Brown, Wood and Mykhailiuk. On the court, however, the Pistons lost too many winnable games, going 8-19 against sub-.500 teams in the East, including a combined 0-8 vs. Charlotte and Chicago.

More: NBA returning with 22-team format, minus Pistons

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