What we learned about Detroit Pistons at Summer League: Ron Holland already making impact

The Detroit Pistons hoped to come out of the 2024 NBA draft with two versatile wings who could contribute on both ends. The early returns from Las Vegas suggest they did just that.

Ron Holland, the No. 5 overall pick, and Bobi Klintman, taken at No. 37, were two of the Pistons' top contributors through the main portion of their Summer League schedule, which consisted of four games. (A fifth game, against an opponent to be determined, is set for Sunday following the conclusion of Detroit's 91-90 loss to the New York Knicks on Friday.)

The Pistons also got a promising all-around performance from rookie point guard Daniss Jenkins, on a two-way contract. Here's what we learned from the first four games in Las Vegas.

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Ron Holland is productive and finding his offensive game

Few will complain about Holland’s box scores, as he led the team with 17.3 points per game and was second in rebounding average (7.3) and fourth in assists (two) while playing in three of four games. That included his best all-around game: 20 points, six rebounds and two blocks on Friday. 

He also averaged a full block and steal, showing effort and energy on the defensive end of the floor. The biggest knock on the 19-year-old was also a weakness in the G League, and an area the Pistons are confident he’ll improve in — his efficiency. 

In his first two games, Holland shot just 34.3% overall, 16.7% from 3 and 58.3% at the free throw line. He improved his overall mark Friday, making six of 14 attempts (42.1%). He only hit one of his five 3-point tries Friday, however. He is far from the first high-lottery pick to have an inefficient first Summer League stint — Brandon Miller and Jabari Smith Jr. are two recent top-five forwards who had rough trips to Vegas and have since solved their efficiency issues in the NBA. He'll still need to work on it, though.

The skills that made him attractive to the Pistons were present in Vegas. He made plays in transition, crashed the boards, played solid defense and found seams in the opposing defense while cutting. All 10 of his fourth-quarter points Friday were scored off cuts or in transition. He can create havoc off-ball, due to the amount of ground he covers with his 6-foot-8 frame. 

Some aspects of the game may come easier for Holland when he’s surrounded by NBA players. Better spacing should open more cutting lanes. There will be more transition opportunities for him to capitalize on. If he maintains his defensive fire, he’ll have a fan in head coach J.B. Bickerstaff. 

The Pistons were aware when they drafted Holland that he needed some work. Vegas didn’t disprove that notion, but he showcased his raw skills on both end and teased the upside that made him a top-five pick. 

Bobi Klintman may already be ready

The lanky second-round forward arguably was the Pistons' most consistent and well-rounded player, averaging 11.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and four assists over four games while shooting 42.5% overall and 40% from 3. Klintman had multiple “Whoa!” passes each game — including a behind-the-back dish to Holland in transition, a touch pass out of the high post to a cutting Tolu Smith and a drive and one-handed interior pass to Jayce Johnson leading to a dunk. 

Even when his shot wasn’t falling, he stayed engaged as a playmaker. Klintman dished out five assists Friday despite hitting just three of 10 shots. The passing is a surprise, given that Klintman averaged more than twice as many turnovers (1.6) as assists (0.7) playing professionally in Australia last season. He averaged 2.5 assists per game in Vegas, with nearly double the assists. 

Klintman’s expected strengths were strengths, as he shot well overall and was one of the top defenders on the roster.  But the other skills exceeded expectations, making him someone to keep a watch on during training camp. 

Daniss Jenkins bring shotmaking, defense as two-way guard

Jenkins was the Pistons' lone signed two-way player following the 2024 draft, and one of just four players on their Summer League team signed through next season. The 6-4 guard showed why, delivering three noteworthy performances in Vegas. 

He sparked a comeback win over the Houston Rockets on Monday, putting up 26 points, four assists and two blocks while knocking down six of 11 3s. On Tuesday, he helped lead another comeback, this time over the Chicago Bulls, with 13 points, four assists, two steals and a block. That followed his debut against the Philadelphia 76ers last Saturday, when he finished with 10 points, five assists and three steals.

Jenkins was a standout in the Big East last season, averaging 14.9 points, 5.4 assists and 1.6 steals as a senior to lead St. John’s to its first conference semifinal since 2000. His winding college journey started at Pacific, where he played for two seasons before transferring to Iona, and then St. John’s. 

The 22-year-old improved each year in college, and is now on the NBA radar after a promising Summer League debut. He was among the Pistons’ best defenders and showed that he can knock down outside shots, leading the team in attempts per game and hitting them at a 41.2% clip.

Marcus Sasser finds touch after tough start

As the lone player on the Pistons' Summer League roster returning from last season, Sasser arguably had less to prove compared to his teammates. He was an accurate shooter and capable spark-plug scorer as a rookie, but Vegas presented an opportunity for him to show he could expand his game. Specifically, the Pistons could use a backup point guard. Sasser was prone to tunnel vision last season. And in Vegas? He was still prone to such stretches.

Sasser erupted for 24 points on Friday after shooting 28.6% through their first three games. But he struggled with turnovers in Vegas and coughed the ball up four times on Friday, against five assists. Entering the game, he was averaging five assists and three turnovers. He has had moments as a playmaker, but he appears to be more comfortable looking for his shot. While he didn't show anything new, he reminded the team of what he can do when he's hot.

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Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him @omarisankofa.