As the NBA trade deadline nears, the Detroit Pistons hold a record of 34-12, leading the Eastern Conference and gearing up for a strong playoff push in April. However, some analysts worry that the team’s struggles with three-point shooting could hinder their playoff success.
The Pistons might consider trading for a reliable shooter, such as Lauri Markkanen from the Utah Jazz or Michael Porter Jr. from the Brooklyn Nets, to strengthen their shooting game.
The Pistons are below average from downtown
Data from teamrankings.com shows that the NBA average for three-point shooting is 35.9%, but the Pistons are at 34.7%, placing them 21st. In their 34 victories, they shoot 36.5% (above average), yet in their 12 defeats, that number drops to 29.8% (below average). Notably, in eight of those losses, opponents have outperformed the Pistons from beyond the arc, with recent games showing a decline. In their last four losses, the Pistons have managed only 30-of-122 attempts (24.6%). In their loss to the Phoenix Suns on January 29, their performance was even worse at just 6-of-29 (20.7%).