When Reggie Jackson went down with an ankle injury the Detroit Pistons had some decisions to make. Should they trade for a backup or starting point guard? Should they look to free agency to fill the void? Or should they call up one of their D-League players to fill in?
Well, it appears Stan Van Gundy has made a relatively permanent decision on how to best aid Reggie’s absence. According to reports, the Pistons signed two-way player Dwight Buycks to an extended contract.
#Pistons announce signing of Dwight Buycks to "multiyear contract."
— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) January 13, 2018
Van Gundy made it clear that the contract was earned and not just given.
“He was pretty happy, and he earned it. It wasn’t something given to him out of default,” Van Gundy said to reporters.
While Buycks is not expected to completely cover the production that Jackson provided, he has produced some quality performances for the Pistons. In four of the last five games, Buycks has put up double-digit in the point category. Most recently putting up 17 points on six of ten shooting and two for two from downtown against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.
http://gty.im/458123296
For those of you wondering who the heck Dwight Buycks is, I understand why. He played his college ball at Marquette University and put up humble numbers, 7.7 points and 2.8 assists per game during his two-year career there.
However, since coming up to the Pistons Buycks has certainly earned his keep. Van Gundy sure loves him some three-point shooting and Buycks has provided that since his call-up. Buycks is connecting on 46% of his three-point attempts for the Pistons this year!
Although it is a small sample size, Buycks has shown some promise for a Pistons roster in need of some depth at the point guard position. As he adjusts to the NBA, he can find comfort in the confidence that Van Gundy has shown in him.
