Detroit Pistons shooting guard Luke Kennard believes Detroit has “one of the best” young cores in the NBA.

Kennard says he's confident the Pistons' young core — which is headlined by him, Bruce Brown Jr., Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, Khyri Thomas and rookie Sekou Doumbouya — is going to make a lot of noise in the league sooner rather than later.

“I think with our draft class last year — Bruce (Brown), Khyri (Thomas) and Svi (Mykhailiuk) — and this year with Sekou (Doumbouya), that we have a really good young core. I think we have one of the best in the NBA, to be honest with you,” Kennard told James L. Edwards III of The Athletic. “I think we can make big steps this year, everybody.

“Everyone on the team can contribute. I’m not saying everyone will be able to play because I feel like we have a lot of depth this year. Guys are going to be fighting for spots, and everyone is competitive; we like getting each other better. That’s the main thing: getting better. Last year, Bruce was able to play a lot. But Khyri, I saw him in the gym all the time playing against other guys and really working on his game. He got in a few times last year and showed what he was capable in regards to scoring the ball and defense. He’s just a tough kid. We have some young guys, a really good young core, that can help us in a lot of ways, and it’s really exciting to see that.”

The Pistons will obviously go as far as Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson and Derrick Rose can take them, but it would be an added bonus if the youngsters can contribute at a high level so Detroit has strong depth, which is important come playoff time.

Luke Kennard is the best 3-point shooter on the Pistons. The lefty shot 39.4 percent from beyond the arc last season and made 106 shots from 3-point range.