Second-year forward Ron Holland said a lack of playoff minutes has driven his offseason training program, hoping to avoid a repeat of Detroit’s most recent postseason run.
Holland, 20, logged 8.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 steals across 19.9 minutes in 78 regular-season games. Once the playoffs began, his floor time fell to 6.4 minutes over nine appearances, a downturn largely linked to his 25.3% accuracy from three-point range.
“I did not play in the playoffs, and it has been eating at me,” Holland told the Detroit News. “Since the season ended, I’ve been trying to figure out how I can get better.” He added that head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and the staff noticed he was “trying to be Mr. Don’t-Mess-Up,” which hurt his effectiveness.
Trade chatter surrounds Trey Murphy III
The Pistons remain connected to Trey Murphy III, who averaged 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 66 games for New Orleans while shooting 47.0% from the field and 37.9% from deep. League sources say the Pelicans want three first-round picks in any deal, and it is unclear whether new Detroit president Trajan Langdon is willing to meet that price.
Key offseason questions
Detroit has already reached an agreement to add forward John Collins, but front-office executives are still searching for another power forward option. The franchise’s most pressing issue remains the stalemate with restricted free agent Jalen Duren; the big man’s options are limited to a sign-and-trade scenario the Pistons have so far resisted.
Onyenso arrives on two-way deal
Rookie center Ugonna Onyenso expected to be taken 60th overall by Washington but instead heard his name at No. 53 after Detroit traded into the second round. The Virginia shot-blocker, who led the ACC in rejections last season, finalized a two-way contract with the Pistons on Monday. “The whole draft night was a surprise,” Onyenso said, noting the lack of prior communication before deputy commissioner Mark Tatum announced the pick.
Six-team deal sends LeVert to Milwaukee
Detroit also agreed to move veteran guard Caris LeVert to the Bucks as part of a six-team trade, further reshaping the club’s roster ahead of training camp.
Source: Hoops Rumors
