The Detroit Pistons aren't exactly the hottest team in the NBA right now, nor are they the preference of card collectors in the market. After languishing in the middle for so long, Motor City has decided to break it all down by trading Blake Griffin and other key pieces a couple of years ago to focus on rebuilding. As it stands, that effort has led to drafting Cade Cunningham and other young stars who have the potential of bringing their team back to relevance.
On the hobby side of things, there are several promising prospects when it comes to the Pistons. Although the team lacks the presence of a proven All-Star in their ranks, their young guys make up for it by the potential they have shown so far. We take a look below at some of Detroit's intriguing talent and who deserves to be collected in the card market.
Isaiah Stewart
Looking at the Pistons' lineup and collectors will see that there's a big gapping center-shaped hole in the middle. Detroit currently lists veteran Kelly Olynk and rookie Luka Garza in this role, while Marving Bagley III and Jerami Grant can play it in small-ball lineups. This is where it gets interesting for Isaiah Stewart and his rookie card potential in the market.
In his second season in the NBA, Stewart is showing potential to become his team's primary option at the 5 spot. In the 60 games he has played and started for the Pistons, the sophomore is averaging 8.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.1 blocks per contest. These numbers can still go up, especially if his pick and roll game with Cunningham evolves or if he becomes a credible threat from the defensive end of the court.
With an imposing size, an immovable frame, and the potential to smash the boards on both ends of the floor, Stewart has what it takes to be an important role player for Detroit. In turn, this will bode well for his rookie cards, which are very, very affordable in the market.
Isaiah Livers
As it stands, the Detroit Pistons score 105.3 per 100 possessions, which is 28th in the league, and are 24th in defense with a 113.8 rating. This opens up the need for additional scoring and another credible defender in their lineup, which Isaiah Livers can potentially provide.
Although he hasn't seen much action during his first year in the NBA, Livers is showing flashes of what he can actually do. In the 12 games he has played, the rookie is making 40% of his shots from downtown and 53% from two. His 6'7″ size allows him to defend multiple positions and lock down the opposing squad's best options at the perimeter while adding another layer of offense for Detroit.
His recent performance against the Miami Heat offers a glimpse of that promise. In that contest, the rookie notched 16 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and a single steal in 31 minutes off the bench. If Jerami Grant gets in the offseason, collectors can expect Livers to get more minutes as Bey's backup from the bench, which would give more attention to his rookie cards in the market.
Marvin Bagley III
It's pretty hard to root for Marvin Bagley III in the card market. For one, the forward/center has the unfortunate reputation of being picked ahead of Luka Doncic and Trae Young, two guys who have become the faces of their respective franchises. Plus, his constant encounters with injuries have caused him to drop in the hobby in favor of other young stars who have been playing better.
But in all of these unfortunate circumstances, being part of a team like the Sacramento Kings played a part in Bagley's early struggles. Now that the big man has a new home in Detroit, the pressure of living up to his draft expectations and producing for a team that hasn't reached the playoffs is no more.
In the 12 games Bagley has played for the Pistons since being traded, four of which as a starter, he has averaged 13.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 26.3 minutes per contest. If he gets more minutes next season with a Cunningham running the offense, Detroit's latest acquisition will get the opportunity to prove his doubters wrong by becoming an unstoppable force down in the paint. Of course, those will make his rookie card value soar from its current value in the market.
Saddiq Bey
While Grant is Detroit's number one option on the wing, there's a pretty strong chance he's going to be traded for draft picks or other young pieces in the near future. If that happens, the no-brainer rookie card investment here is Saddiq Bey.
Proof of his promising potential as Detroit's wing of the future happened during the Pistons' recent match against the Orlando Magic. In that contest, Bey posted 51 points on 63% shooting from the field and an insane 71% from beyond the arc while making 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. What makes it better is that Cunningham wasn't present during the said game, which gave an intriguing look at Bey as his team's number one option.
Of course, there are areas in Bey's game that needs to be improved for him to reach another level in the card market. If he manages to break the 20-point barrier per game while becoming a better playmaker, three-point threat, and defender, collectors will notice. This possible improvement will be great for his rookie card value, which is very attainable at the moment.
Cade Cunningham
Without a doubt, the best rookie card option that can be found from the Detroit Pistons is no other than Cade Cunningham. The number one pick quietly started the season quiet then used that momentum to overtake his peers in the rookie race.
In the 55 games he has played this year, the Pistons' star is averaging 16.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.2 steals. Cunningham possesses impressive playmaking, shot creation, credible defense, and a unique feel for the game. These are the skills Detroit can surround quality pieces with. In the event Detroit gets better players and Cunningham improves to be his team's number one option, his card value in the market will soar to the next level.
Without a doubt, Cunningham is the top dog to get with Bey coming in at second. Bagley, Livers, and Stewart all present a lot of room to grow from their current value in the market and are safe options that won't cost a lot of money. And with the Pistons out of the playoff picture, prices of these guys will plummet during the offseason, which is the ideal time to invest in them.
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