The 2019-20 season was an utter disaster for the Detroit Pistons. All-Star power forward Blake Griffin played in just 18 games before undergoing another left knee surgery, franchise pillar Andre Drummond was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the campaign as a whole was suspended after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19.
Pistons rising star Christian Wood was the only reported player on Detroit who contracted the virus. Wood was upset his name got leaked in the reports, but his agent did say the high-flyer has fully recovered from the infectious disease — news the entire NBA community was thrilled to hear.
Speaking of Wood, he was a flat out monster for the Pistons after the franchise traded Drummond to the Cavs at the trade deadline. The California native averaged 22.8 points and 9.9 rebounds in the post-Drummond era. The Motor City franchise won only one game after trading Drummond, but the growth and potential Wood showed as a starter was eye-popping.
Wood becomes an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. The Pistons have to re-sign him for next campaign when they should be playoff contenders again with Griffin fully recovered and Derrick Rose running the show at point guard. Rose averaged 18.1 points per game this campaign before the coronavirus pandemic forced the NBA to suspend play.
Rose and Wood already have good chemistry in the pick-and-roll game. The duo, along with Griffin, Luke Kennard and Tony Snell, will likely start for the Pistons in 2020-21 if Detroit does the right thing and brings Christian back.
Since Wood and Griffin can both space the floor with their newfound 3-point shooting, Rose and the other guards on the Pistons will have ample room to get to the basket. Wood shot 38.6 percent from beyond the arc this season, while Griffin will look to get back to his 2018-19 self when he averaged 24.5 points, made the All-Star team, and shot 36.2 percent from distance.
Rose, Wood, and Griffin can each score 20 points in their sleep. The Pistons could have one of the deadliest Big 3s in the NBA next season if Wood comes back and Griffin and Rose can stay healthy.
Follow Us
Subscribe