NBA: 3 players maximizing the value of minimum contracts

Christian Wood, Detroit Pistons

The emergence of Christian Wood, 24, has been one of the few signs of hope for the floundering Detroit Pistons. The team is 14-24 and 10th in the Eastern Conference and has had few sources of optimism as Blake Griffin has been dealing with his latest injury. While Griffin’s health is essential for team success, Wood has quickly become one of Detroit’s most efficient players in his absence.

While averaging just under 17 minutes per game and putting up modest numbers, the Pistons are 4.4 points better per 100 possessions when he’s on the court, compared to 7.0  points worse when he’s on the bench. The on-court success can be attributed to his offensive repertoire that is advanced for his age and perfect for today’s game.

Wood is shooting 38 percent from deep, and his 1.71 points per possession coming off the pick-and-roll leads the league. Adrian Wojnarowski reported last Friday that Detroit is looking to trade All-Star center, Andre Drummond.

With the uncertainty around Griffin’s health and Drummond’s future, this could be (is definitely) signaling a total rebuild. Fortunately for Detroit, they have Luke Kennard and a pair of promising big men in Sekou Doumbouya and Christian Wood to build around.