Coming out of the All-Star break, the Detroit Pistons have a 5.5-game lead over the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. That doesn't mean they can take their foot off the gas, but it gives them enough of a cushion to start prioritizing the postseason down the stretch. That means resting a few key veterans, reducing Cade Cunningham's workload, and finalizing the rotation. Most importantly, however, it allows head coach JB Bickerstaff to try different lineup combinations ahead of the playoffs to evaluate his options.
One option he needs to consider is reducing Caris LeVert's minutes in favor of Marcus Sasser. When LeVert was acquired in the offseason, he was expected to be a solid sixth man who could handle the ball, run pick-and-roll, and offer a scoring punch. Instead, his role has been more limited than expected, playing less than 20 minutes per game this season. His 17.8 percent usage rate is the lowest of his career since his rookie campaign, and his 53.9 percent True Shooting leaves plenty to be desired.
LeVert is a good defensive player and has been an important part of Detroit's elite defense. But the Pistons have plenty of capable perimeter defenders and can more than make up for LeVert's absence. What they really need is more shooting and playmaking, which Sasser can provide.
Pistons Must Consider Replacing LeVert With Sasser in the Rotation
In his third season in the league, Sasser has fallen out of favor in Detroit. Not enough for the Pistons to trade him at the deadline, but he has largely been out of the rotation. Unfortunately for him, when the Pistons needed him the most, when LeVert was sidelined early in the season, Sasser was also dealing with an injury, preventing him from staking his claim as the backup PG.
In every opportunity he has gotten this season, however, Sasser has proven that he is worthy of a rotation role. His defensive shortcomings are obvious. He is an undersized point guard who doesn't have the strength and athleticism to guard at a high level. But if any team can survive having one weak perimeter defender on the court, it is the Detroit Pistons. As long as Sasser and Duncan Robinson don't share the court, the Pistons should still be able to have an elite defensive unit.
What Sasser brings is off-the-dribble shooting and pick-and-roll ability. Sasser gets 3-pointers up in volume and makes them with solid accuracy. He attempts 9.5 threes per 36 minutes, the best mark on the team. He is making 40.9 percent of them this season, also the best on the roster. Plus, he is a solid passer who can put his teammates in positions to succeed.
That type of offensive skill set shouldn't be wasted when the Pistons desperately need more shot creation and shot-making.
The Pistons have the luxury to give Sasser a chance in the final stretch of the season. If the experiment doesn't work, Bickerstaff can go back to giving Levert 20 minutes off the bench. Right now, however, the reduction in veteran shooting guard's playing time may be necessary.