Saben Lee

flow · Post #1 » by **flow** » Mon May 10, 2021 10:39 pm

It's about time he gets some pub. Over his last 7 games, dude has averaged 10 assists per 36, and has a 4:1 assist:turnover ratio.

He and Hayes have thrived off each other the last two games, which were the first two games they've been put on the floor together.

https://www.nba.com/amp/pistons/features/killian-hayes-not-only-pistons-rookie-guard-opening-eyes-saben-lee-thriving-speed-and

.

Manocad · Post #2 » by **Manocad** » Tue May 11, 2021 12:06 am

He should definitely be in the Pistons' future plans at this point IMO

tmorgan · Post #3 » by **tmorgan** » Tue May 11, 2021 5:51 am

If we were to draft Cade or Green or Suggs, it seems like a guard stable of draft pick, Killian, Saben and Frank J would be a solid group to develop.

Manocad · Post #4 » by **Manocad** » Tue May 11, 2021 12:04 pm

tmorgan wrote:If we were to draft Cade or Green or Suggs, it seems like a guard stable of draft pick, Killian, Saben and Frank J would be a solid group to develop.

That's how I see it. Certainly a group worth rolling with next season to see what happens. Get what you can for DSJ and/or Ellington at the next opportunity and go from there.

bstein14 · Post #5 » by **bstein14** » Tue May 11, 2021 12:20 pm

If he's willing to sign on as the 3rd string PG I think that's great. If he gets a better offer to be a backup PG somewhere else then I'm sure he takes that.

I have really liked what I've seen from him but in all honesty there is only so much room in a 10 man rotation. Maybe we do drop CoJo even though he has a played really well for us, so we can keep the young guy with more potential in Saban Lee.

flow · Post #6 » by **flow** » Tue May 11, 2021 12:23 pm

Manocad wrote:
tmorgan wrote:If we were to draft Cade or Green or Suggs, it seems like a guard stable of draft pick, Killian, Saben and Frank J would be a solid group to develop.

That's how I see it. Certainly a group worth rolling with next season to see what happens. Get what you can for DSJ and/or Ellington at the next opportunity and go from there.

And drop Cojo's contract like a lead balloon.

Congrats to Weaver for drafting Lee. Now he needs a contract. And yeah, Frank Jackson has earned one, too.

It's a good problem to have (if it's a problem at all), acquiring young players who earn their keep and deserve to be retained/paid.

Billl · Post #7 » by **Billl** » Tue May 11, 2021 1:24 pm

He's been good for a second round rookie, but I'm not at all sold on him as a rotation player at this point. Obviously he's young and can improve, but right now he looks terrified to take an open jumper. I assume we keep him around another year as a 3rd string guard and see if he can develop in that area.

flow · Post #8 » by **flow** » Tue May 11, 2021 1:52 pm

Billl wrote:He's been good for a second round rookie, but I'm not at all sold on him as a rotation player at this point. Obviously he's young and can improve, but right now he looks terrified to take an open jumper. I assume we keep him around another year as a 3rd string guard and see if he can develop in that area.

He's been good for a first round rookie. He's been better than our #7 overall rookie.

.

flow · Post #9 » by **flow** » Tue May 11, 2021 1:58 pm

bstein14 wrote:If he's willing to sign on as the 3rd string PG I think that's great. If he gets a better offer to be a backup PG somewhere else then I'm sure he takes that.

I have really liked what I've seen from him but in all honesty there is only so much room in a 10 man rotation. Maybe we do drop CoJo even though he has a played really well for us, so we can keep the young guy with more potential in Saban Lee.

Who cares if Cojo has played well for us? He's an average player, he's not part of the future, and we're not winning next season.

There's no reason to keep him and his contract around next year.

flow · Post #10 » by **flow** » Tue May 11, 2021 2:19 pm

Here's where Saben Lee ranks among all rookies:

PER: 12th (tied with Wiseman). (13.29). * [Stewart is 2nd, Bey is 14th]

Total assists : 6th (in just 45 games played, at 15 minutes per). (160)

Assist/Turnover Ratio: 1st (36.6)

.

tmorgan · Post #11 » by **tmorgan** » Tue May 11, 2021 6:45 pm

I mean, yeah, he really needs to work on his shot... but so does Killian. And almost everyone else.

Sort · Post #12 » by **Sort** » Tue May 11, 2021 6:59 pm

I think Saban Lee is a rotational player in this league. His games tend to swing too hard to shooting to too hard passing, and his defense is just sloppy at times. I think he can figure out both those elements to his game, and while he's a risk, that athleticism and growth from this messed up year definitely puts him into plans for next year.

tmorgan · Post #13 » by **tmorgan** » Tue May 11, 2021 7:27 pm

I think the lack of turnovers and solid PG play most of the time is the most impressive thing about Saben Lee. He's clearly an athlete first and was drafted on basketball potential, and he's shown a lot of progress. He's conservative with the dishes (polar opposite of Killian), which gives us a bit of variety in PG play. Nothing wrong with that.

Billl · Post #14 » by **Billl** » Tue May 11, 2021 7:39 pm

flow wrote:
Billl wrote:He's been good for a second round rookie, but I'm not at all sold on him as a rotation player at this point. Obviously he's young and can improve, but right now he looks terrified to take an open jumper. I assume we keep him around another year as a 3rd string guard and see if he can develop in that area.

He's been good for a first round rookie. He's been better than our #7 overall rookie.

.

That's some serious homeraid. I don't think there is a single team that would give up on the guy they drafted in the first last year for Lee.

flow · Post #15 » by **flow** » Tue May 11, 2021 7:43 pm

Billl wrote:
flow wrote:
Billl wrote:He's been good for a second round rookie, but I'm not at all sold on him as a rotation player at this point. Obviously he's young and can improve, but right now he looks terrified to take an open jumper. I assume we keep him around another year as a 3rd string guard and see if he can develop in that area.

He's been good for a first round rookie. He's been better than our #7 overall rookie.

.

That's some serious homeraid. I don't think there is a single team that would give up on the guy they drafted in the first last year for Lee.

I think you're wrong about that. And that's the first time anyone has ever associated me with the word, 'homer.' I didn't create his stats. And the eye test doesn't contradict his stats.

bstein14 · Post #16 » by **bstein14** » Tue May 11, 2021 8:08 pm

Lee has been solid. I think its more likely than not he has a long career in this league as most likely a backup PG, but I wouldn't count him out of being more than that yet either.

He's got some Ish Smith like quickness and he's athletic and can get after it defensively. I would love to keep him and hope he stays. I feel the same way about Frank Jackson, I've liked what I've seen and hope he stays. Diallo I'd also be happy to keep, but the reality is some of these guys will be out of rotation. I know we've got some 2nd rounders to fill out spots 13/14/15 on the roster most likely.

CoJo has been really good he might end up having some value in the trade market beyond just what he brings to the team. I don't think he's just an auto cut by us.

440BB · Post #17 » by **440BB** » Wed May 12, 2021 12:19 am

bstein14 wrote:Lee has been solid. I think its more likely than not he has a long career in this league as most likely a backup PG, but I wouldn't count him out of being more than that yet either.

He's got some Ish Smith like quickness and he's athletic and can get after it defensively. I would love to keep him and hope he stays. I feel the same way about Frank Jackson, I've liked what I've seen and hope he stays. Diallo I'd also be happy to keep, but the reality is some of these guys will be out of rotation. I know we've got some 2nd rounders to fill out spots 13/14/15 on the roster most likely.

CoJo has been really good he might end up having some value in the trade market beyond just what he brings to the team. I don't think he's just an auto cut by us.

I agree about all those young players. I just can't see Weaver keeping Joseph for $12.6 million when his buyout is only $2.4 million.

DBC10 · Post #18 » by **DBC10** » Wed May 12, 2021 1:10 am

I'm sure no one expected really anything big out of him, but I have to say he plays very composed and does show some potential

I like that he does look for his shot which is always good since a lot of our players are a bit unselfish at times. He's a decent safety valve for when he's running the bench unit. He should definitely gun to be our sixth man starting next year

The Moose · Post #19 » by **The Moose** » Wed May 12, 2021 1:14 am

bstein14 wrote:Lee has been solid. I think its more likely than not he has a long career in this league as most likely a backup PG, but I wouldn't count him out of being more than that yet either.

He's got some Ish Smith like quickness and he's athletic and can get after it defensively. I would love to keep him and hope he stays. I feel the same way about Frank Jackson, I've liked what I've seen and hope he stays. Diallo I'd also be happy to keep, but the reality is some of these guys will be out of rotation. I know we've got some 2nd rounders to fill out spots 13/14/15 on the roster most likely.

CoJo has been really good he might end up having some value in the trade market beyond just what he brings to the team. I don't think he's just an auto cut by us.

Joseph has an extremely cap friendly contract for teams who need cap space

I would say there is a 99% chance he gets dealt in the offseason

whitehops · Post #20 » by **whitehops** » Wed May 12, 2021 5:24 am

Billl wrote:He's been good for a second round rookie, but I'm not at all sold on him as a rotation player at this point. Obviously he's young and can improve, but right now he looks terrified to take an open jumper. I assume we keep him around another year as a 3rd string guard and see if he can develop in that area.

i agree and i think it's important for people to look past the flashes he shows and see the overall picture.

he still has a loong way to go to be a reliable backup. he doesn't really have the ability to run the offense at this point. his main mindset is to try to get to the rim and if there's resistance, kick it out. you can tell when he's on the perimeter he's just trying to get past his defender to get to the rim and he relies almost purely on his athleticism to get by his man, but has no plan for any secondary defenders that rotate. he is definitely a willing passer and looks for good passes but hasn't really shown any ability to manipulate defenses and create offense on his terms. and, obviously, he has to work on his scoring ability all around.

he's gotten the comparison before here and he is eerily similar to ish smith. the thing to keep in mind with ish smith is that he was in the league for about four years before he showed he could be a solid backup, and even then it was obvious he would be nothing more than that. he might be the kind of guy that is easy to root for but you don't necessarily have to roster a guy for four years just so he can reach his potential as a backup PG.

my view is i like lee and would like to see him back next year as a third PG, but i wouldn't be heart broken if the team went with another option. we could sign him in a few years when he's worked out the kinks in his game.