The Pistons have a pretty deep Summer League team in Orlando this year, featuring quite a few guys that could make their way onto the final roster in the fall. Particularly, I'm looking forward to seeing Stanley Johnson's debut, Spencer Dinwiddie's development, and Darrun Hilliard's shooting. What else is here? Take a look.
Players who will absolutely be on the team in 2015-16
Stanley Johnson
- Position: Forward
- 2014-15 team: Arizona (NCAA)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: 100 percent
Analysis: Johnson went eighth overall in the 2015 draft, and should fit perfectly in Stan Van Gundy's system. He's a two-way guy when he's got it going on defense, and Van Gundy isn't going to let him slack off on that side of the ball. Here, look for him to be fun when getting out in transition, and look to see how he's adjusting to the NBA 3-point line.
Spencer Dinwiddie
- Position: Point Guard
- 2014-15 team: Pistons
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: 100 percent
Analysis: Dinwiddie showed a solid amount of potential at the end of last season when he took over some point guard duties. He's on a guaranteed deal for next year, but it'll be interesting to see how he fits with both Brandon Jennings and Reggie Jackson, given that both will likely see time at point guard. Dinwiddie can play some off-guard due to his shooting and length, so maybe he's utilized that way. Regardless, he'll be a point guard here this week.
Players with a decent chance to make the team
Darrun Hilliard
- Position: Shooting Guard/Small Forward
- 2014-15 team: Villanova (NCAA)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: 75 percent
Analysis: Hilliard was a top-40 pick this year, and it's rare for those guys to get outwardly cut. Plus, he also fits Van Gundy's system to a T as a 3-and-D guy that can guard multiple positions. This was one of the best fits of the second round on paper, and it'll be interesting to see if that holds up on the court. The only way he's not on this team is if they stash him.
- Position: Forward
- 2014-15 team: Pistons, Sacramento Kings
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: 50 percent
Analysis: Miller will need a good performance here, as he has a series of escalating guarantees in his contract that starts on July 15. They're small guarantees, but we'll know then where his standing is. The former Baylor player is somehow still only 22, and still oozes potential if he can put everything together at some point.
Former NBA players
Sundiata Gaines
- Position: Guard
- 2014-15 team: Sidigas Avellino (Italy)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: Four percent
Analysis: Gaines hasn't played in the NBA in three years, and his days at the highest level are likely through. He only shot 34 percent in Italy last season. It would be a pretty cool story for a guy that has had a lot of memorable moments for a lightly-used backup, but the dream is likely over for him at this point.
Justin Harper
- Position: Power Forward
- 2014-15 team: Sidigas Avellino (Italy)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: Seven percent
Analysis: Harper had a better season than Gaines in Italy last year, knocking down 38 percent of his 3s while averaging 12 points. His skill set is tailor made for that setting, but the NBA is going more toward a spacing-oriented game where stetch-fours like him can be valuable. I'm surprised he's never fully caught on before, and this could be a chance for him to do so.
David Wear
- Position: Power Forward
- 2014-15 team: Sacramento Kings, Reno Bighorns (D-League)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: Seven percent
Analysis: Wear somehow reached the NBA last year after shooting really well in the D-League. At 6-10, if he's going to knock down 40 percent of his 3s and play hard on defense he'll at least have an NBA shot. But my guess is that he and his brother end up being better over in Europe at some point. It's a fun story though.
Adonis Thomas
- Position: Forward
- 2014-15 team: Grand Rapids Drive (D-League)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: 10 percent
Analysis: Thomas does have some positional versatility, and he's improved what was a major weakness coming out of Memphis -- his jump shooting -- into a strength. He was third-team All-D-League last year, and he'll have a decent shot at getting a camp invite this year. He's still only 22, so there's a decent chance he can become a legitimate NBA player at some point.
A few undrafted free agents
Julian Washburn
- Position: Small Forward
- 2014-15 team: UTEP (NCAA)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: 10 percent
Analysis: Washburn can really defend, as Cameron Payne called him the toughest defender he's ever gone up against at the combine. He's 6-8, long, and has a shot to stick if he can play that well on the defensive end. But he probably needs a bit of seasoning in the D-League with his jumper. If that happens, he could make the league eventually.
Kendall Gray
- Position: Power Forward/Center
- 2014-15 team: Delaware State (NCAA)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: Three percent
Analysis: Gray is a terrific rebounder, and that skill alone will get him looks from NBA teams. He's also a pretty solid defender with long arms. His athleticism is a question mark and will probably hold him back from the NBA, but crazier things have happened than big-bodied rebounders getting to the league.
One percenters or guys that I had to Google
Manny Atkins
- Position: Guard/Forward
- 2014-15 team: Grand Rapids Drive, Sioux Falls Skyforce (D-League)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: One percent
Analysis: Atkins is a tough kid who isn't afraid to mix it up in the paint for rebounds. He's also a decent shooter. He's not quite an NBA talent though.
Kelsey Barlow
- Position: Guard/Forward
- 2014-15 team: Grand Rapids Drive (D-League)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: One percent
Analysis: Another role player from the Drive, Barlow is an improving jump shooter that also just isn't quite talented enough to play in the NBA. He'll be a solid D-League role player as long as he wants to be though.
Billy Baron
- Position: Guard
- 2014-15 team: Lietuvos Rytas (NCAA)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: One percent
Analysis: Baron's a terrific shooter that can play some lead guard in a pinch. But mostly, imagine a lesser version of Jimmer Fredette and that's what you're left with. Not an NBA guy, but he'll make a great living in Europe for a while, as he already has become a good role player on a Eurocup team.
Jared Berggren
- Position: Forward/Center
- 2014-15 team: Telenet BC Oostende (Belgium)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: One percent
Analysis: Berggren's had a couple of decent years in Belgium playing for a team that's twice been right on the edge of the Euroleague. He's a decent rebounder with a soft touch that has turned into a pretty solid defender as well. He's just not quite an NBA player, either.
Kammeon Holsey
- Position: Forward
- 2014-15 team: Grand Rapids Drive (D-League)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: One percent
Analysis: Another role player from Grand Rapids. Holsey crashes the boards and has solid athleticism, but also has no range at all. Not quite an NBA guy.
Adam Kemp
- Position: Forward
- 2014-15 team: KK Feni Industries (Macedonia)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: One percent
Analysis: Kemp performed really well in the Macedonian league this year to the tune of a 26 PER, but I'm not sure I see any reason he did anything more than parlay himself into a bigger European deal as opposed to an NBA deal. Good rebounder, decent touch, we'll see how he plays next year against possibly better competition.
