Pistons to Convert Daniss Jenkins to Standard Contract; Front Office Focused on Playoff Run and Buyout Market
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Detroit Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon said Friday the club will promote two-way guard Daniss Jenkins to a standard NBA contract before Monday’s road game against the Charlotte Hornets.
The move became necessary when Jenkins reached his two-way appearance limit on Friday and then delivered a team-best 18 points in a decisive win over the second-place New York Knicks. The Eastern Conference-leading Pistons rested the rookie the night before in a loss to Washington.
“I was really frustrated yesterday because I didn’t get to play,” Jenkins told the Detroit Free Press. “I just wanted to come out and impact the game like I always do.”
Jenkins’ rise pushed Ivey out
Jenkins’ steady play contributed to Detroit sending former lottery pick Jaden Ivey to Chicago at the trade deadline. The undrafted guard said his draft-night snub still drives him: “Going undrafted is insanity to me, and that burns inside of me every single day.”
Quiet deadline, eyes on postseason
Aside from acquiring reserve guard Kevin Huerter in the Ivey trade, Detroit largely stood pat. “There were some things we thought about but didn’t execute,” Langdon told ESPN, adding that the front office wants to see how the roster performs as the likely No. 1 seed. “What are we going to do in the postseason? Who steps up in crunch time?”
Buyout market remains an option
Langdon did not rule out adding help via waivers. “We’ll definitely explore it, see who becomes available and if some of those players fit for us,” he said, according to The Athletic.
Huerter’s early contribution
Huerter scored eight points in eight minutes against New York, and head coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised the newcomer’s shooting, cutting and feel for the game. The Maryland product, who grew up rooting for the 2000s Pistons, said he was drawn to the franchise’s championship core of Chauncey Billups and company.
The Pistons visit Charlotte on Monday before returning home to continue their push toward the postseason.
Source: Hoops Rumors
