Despite continuing to lead the Eastern Conference with a 26-9 record as of Monday, the Detroit Pistons are going through a rough patch due to injuries. Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren, and Caris LeVert all missed Sunday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, although the Pistons were still able to pull off the gutsy road win against head coach J.B. Bickerstaff's former team.
While LeVert is expected to return to action this week, Duren will be sidelined for at least a week, and Harris will be reevaluated in two weeks after being diagnosed with a left hip strain, according to ESPN.
On paper, the Pistons have enough depth to weather the storm. Isaiah Stewart and Paul Reed can take on a larger role in the frontcourt like they did in Cleveland, each playing over 30 minutes. The problem for Detroit is the lack of forward options behind Harris. This is further exacerbated by the fact that Ron Holland has been massively disappointing all season.
Ron Holland Can Play Himself Off Pistons' Trade Block
Harris' absence puts more pressure on Holland to turn things around. In his second season in the NBA, the 20-year-old forward has taken a step back. His two-point shooting percentage went from 60.8% in his rookie season to 50.7% this season. His three-point percentage remains abysmal, making only 23.9% of his 2.7 attempts per game. As a result, Holland's efficiency has taken a massive hit, as he has a 50.2% true shooting rate this season.
Even in Harris' absence, Holland wasn't able to increase his playing time. While the veteran forward missed the last two games, Holland's minutes were stuck around 18 minutes in each game. The fact that he was 3-of-14 from the field in those two games makes it harder for Bickerstaff to trust him in a bigger role.
Holland still has a ton of upside. The fifth-overall pick from the 2024 NBA draft is already a solid defender who can guard multiple positions. The issue is that he is now on a championship contender, and the Pistons don't have the luxury to give out developmental minutes. Holland must find a way to be a positive offensive player.
Otherwise, his role will be limited going forward, including in the playoffs.
With the 2025 NBA trade deadline a month away, Holland has an excellent opportunity to prove his worth over the next few weeks. If he doesn't, his name will start to be included in trade rumors more and more between now and Feb. 5.