Pistons rotation preview: New wings are answer to Detroit Pistons’ prayers

Who runs the world? Girls! Or whatever Beyoncé said. If the 32-time Grammy winner were a die-hard NBA fan, she would’ve said, “Who runs the world? SHOOTERS.” In 2024, the premium on 3-point shooting has never been higher. The Detroit Pistons finally know the value of shooting, evidenced by new president Trajan Langdon’s moves this summer.

The No. 1 item on the priority list was addressing their 3-point attack, which ranked in the bottom five in 3P% and 3PA, per basketball reference. But the additions of Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Tobias Harris mean a new day has arrived in Detroit. The wings unit unquestionably got better this summer.

Question #1: Are the Pistons wings group better today than last year?

2023-24 wings (played 400 minutes to qualify): Alec Burks, Ausar Thompson, Bojan Bogdanović, Evan Fournier, Kevin Knox, Simone Fontecchio, Isaiah Livers, and Troy Brown.

2024-25 wings: Malik Beasley, Tobias Harris, Ausar Thompson, Simone Fontecchio, Tim Hardaway Jr., Ron Holland, and Bobbi Klintman

There’s a clear talent difference in the ’24 and ’25 wing units. Tobias Harris has been a borderline All-Star in his best years, and he’s not too far removed from them. In Detroit, Harris is going to have a similar role for this Pistons team as he had in his best years as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. He’s the leading wingman, playing with dynamic guards Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey.

Harris is starting at the four, but he’ll get tons of work from perimeter drives. He’s not much of a big man, but he’s the perfect example of the evolution of the power-forward spot in the NBA. He can space the floor and attack off the catch.

Harris can be a 20-point scorer for this squad on solid efficiency and without giving it all back on the defensive end. The Pistons have a versatile scoring 4 for the first time in a long while. Naysayers can say nay, but Harris has proven he can dominate when expectations are reasonable. He might have been overcast in the role of third star on a title contender in Philadelphia. That is not what he is, and that is not what he will be asked to be in Detroit.

Harris was a tad cold from three last year, but we look for him to return to his 37% career average. Malik Beasley has never had trouble knocking it down from distance. If Beasley starts at the three, he’ll immediately improve the spacing. Here is what he’s shot from three as a catch and shooter over the years, per Bball-Index

2024: A

2023: C (Lakers Tax)

2022: B

2021: A-

2020: B+

2019: A-

If defenses leave Beasley, he burns them. He’s shown that year after year. The lanes for Ivey and Cunningham will be lanes they haven’t seen at the pro level.

Ausar Thompson returns to the wing group after a promising rookie season. His shooting is his swing skill, but Thompson is decent to good at everything else. His defense is elite—that travels. Thompson can guard up or down a few positions. He takes on the toughest assignment each night. If his rough jump shot can improve under the tutelage of world-renowned shooting coach Fred Vinson, then the Pistons will be cooking.

Ron Holland is a similar prospect to Thompson. Both defense-first-oriented guys make a living on offense slashing to the cup. Holland is a first-year player looking to establish himself. He’ll also be putting in a lot of work with Vinson.

Simone Fontecchio and Tim Hardaway Jr. are a pair of sharpshooting wings that Vinson will enjoy watching. Fontecchio was a bright spot in a turmoiled-filled season. Detroit could at least step away and say they had a bonified shooter on the roster. He shot 42% on six 3PA in 16 games with the Pistons. I want to see that volume go up.

Hardaway Jr. had a shaky season with the Dallas Mavericks last year. The injury bug bit him, and he could never find his footing in the rotation when he returned. Hardaway Jr is known for his tough shot-making and questionable shot selection. That may be a blessing and a curse for the Pistons, as they need someone willing to take those grenade shots, but they need consistency to open up the lane for their playmakers. Luckily, defenses will not leave Hardaway Jr. open from three, even if he’s struggling.

Bobbi Klintman is another rookie who must earn his stripes in this league. He’ll be playing behind the big boys for now. This wing group is miles ahead of last year’s unit, which shot them out of games night after night. Bogdanović had his moments, but Pistons fans won’t miss the ‘24 group much after the success this wing group projects to have. They’ll shoot better, and that’s goal number one.

Question #2: What does the wing depth look like?

Fontecchio deserves some shouts to be a starter, but the defense might not be sustainable if you trot out two bigger wings in him and Harris. Beasley starts at the three because he’s a better defender than Tek.

SF: Malik Beasley PF: Tobias Harris

SF2: Ausar Thompson PF2: Simone Fontecchio

Holland and Hardaway Jr. will see minutes based on what works or doesn’t during a game. Holland is versatile enough to play the four on some nights, depending on the matchup. If some of the shooters aren’t hitting, best believe there will be a random Tim Hardaway Jr. 8 threes game on a random Wednesday in January.

Thompson checks in the game first and will quickly change the momentum. Beasley is starting because he’s the best defender among knockdown shooters. He’s passable on that end, but he’s not Ausar Thompson. First options, beware when Thompson checks in. He’s coming for you.

Pistons fans have seen Harris and Fontecchio light it up in Detroit. Remember that this is Harris’s second stint in the Motor City. He’s consistent and will lead this group of wings. Tek is my personal favorite from this group. I love his quick trigger and fearless mentality as a marksman. This group projects to be really solid.

Question #3: What is the outlook for the wings?

Pistons fans can only ask for really solid at the moment. After going a preposterous 14-68, really solid is a step in the right direction. Tobias Harris is a proven NBA player. Malik Beasley just departed from the Milwaukee Bucks: He’s played on teams with true aspirations to win a title. Adding those two alone will make Ivey and Cunningham’s lives much breezier.

Ausar Thompson’s internal growth is encouraging. He excels in many areas. He’s a seasoned driver and kicker with a high IQ. Defensively, he has everything you want, and his motor never stops. We’re tuned into his development as a shooter and glass half-filled; he will show growth this season. Ron Holland being the 5th pick in the draft, just like Thompson, is so fitting. They play alike and have similar strengths. Holland isn’t the ball-handler Thompson was coming out Overtime elite. If Holland finds himself deep on the bench, going to the G-league to sharpen his craft isn’t the worst idea in the world. Growth is the name of the season for Detroit this year—patience is key, so give Holland and our other young stars grace. Klintman will spend time there more than likely to continue his journey.

The outlook this year is better than last year. With proven players and shooters, 14 games isn’t an option. It’s not even on the table. Sure, the baseline is low, but 30 games is really the goal. Cunningham and Ivey are this team’s driving forces, and the improved wing unit helps them immensely. There will no longer be seven bodies in the paint crowding their vision when they attack. If they crowd, spray it out, and Beasley, Harris, Fontecchio, and Hardaway Jr. will make them pay. Get excited because Detroit basketball is on its way back.